I am looking for organic / plant solutions (no DEET or citronella
candles because of kids) to the bug problem for a small apartment
backyard (surrounded by yards all around. There are many, many bugs.

If anyone has experience (positive or negative) with Thai lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus), catnip or marigolds
whether it grows outside in NYC (Brooklyn), potted or planted
he yard is small 10 x 16
how many plants to be effective
shade or sun
can I plant in the ground now?

or maybe any other plants like insectovores (i've seen some very small
ones for sale at Lowe's)

Alan Greenspam wrote in
news:FPtpe.12530$MX2.5@trndny03:

I am looking for organic / plant solutions (no DEET or citronella
candles because of kids) to the bug problem for a small apartment
backyard (surrounded by yards all around. There are many, many bugs.

If anyone has experience (positive or negative) with Thai lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus), catnip or marigolds
whether it grows outside in NYC (Brooklyn), potted or planted
he yard is small 10 x 16
how many plants to be effective
shade or sun
can I plant in the ground now?

or maybe any other plants like insectovores (i've seen some very small
ones for sale at Lowe's)


I would suggest denying the mosquitoes as many breeding areas as you can,
and then denying them typical dwelling areas when they are adults. This
means removing all standing or stagnant water areas (rooftops? old tires,
abandoned swimming pools, even kiddie pools left unattended), then removing
as much low growing vegetation as possible-- typically mosquitoes 'lay up'
during the heat of the day under the leaves of ankle to knee-high plants
(in an urban environment, this can be a nearby abandoned lot filled with
weeds, or weeds which have encroached on your own lot or a neighbor's).

Of course your other area to explore is natural predation, which means
encouraging bats to dwell in your immediate vicinity.

--
David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
email:
http://beyondgardening.com/Albums

"David Bockman" wrote in message
9.11...
Of course your other area to explore is natural predation, which means
encouraging bats to dwell in your immediate vicinity.

And/or frogs.

Also consider water plants with highly diluted lemon juice (no more than
10%).

I've tried everything!

"Alan Greenspam" wrote in message
news:FPtpe.12530$MX2.5@trndny03...
I am looking for organic / plant solutions (no DEET or citronella candles
because of kids) to the bug problem for a small apartment backyard
(surrounded by yards all around. There are many, many bugs.

[snip]

or maybe any other plants like insectovores (i've seen some very small
ones for sale at Lowe's)

Unless you live in the swamps of the carolinas venus fly trips and pitcher
plants don't do very well outside.
For mosquitoes, make sure no stagnant water is around your property. Even
the small puddles in the tray under potted plants is enough.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the heat and carbon dioxide, so things like
mosquito magnets work well. Or when you plan on spending some time outside,
just put a small block of dry ice in the corners of the yard (make sure kids
stay away from it)