Posted on June 14, 2006 at 18:13:10:

Question?
Hi Chuck!
This may be hard to believe, but I live in downtown Chicago and my patio is swarmed with mosquitoes. I have a lot of annual flowers out there (thanks to you!), and when I shake them, a cloud of mosquitoes emerges. There is no standing water nearby.

Can I spray or put anything directly on the plants to get rid of them? I'm at a loss... hope you can help or provide some advice.

Thanks!

Answer:
There are a number of sprays to use. Malathion is still labeled for mosquito control. Bonide Eight Spray would also work according to label directions. It is safe to spray directly on the plants. If they are edible plants, watch the days to harvest warnings. Geranium citronella can help to repel mosquitos also and look nice as a patio plant. We have some four foot tall citronella trees or 4” and 6” pots of them. Dr. T’s Mosquito Repel may work also as an area application to repel them from the area. Good Luck.