Mosquito Control (John Dromgoole) | Central Texas Gardener

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Mosquito Control (John Dromgoole)

Backyard Basics John on Mosquito Control

by John Dromgoole

Mosquito Bits and Mosquito Dunks: contain Bti (Bacillus thuringienis israelensis). Use where water collects or in stagnant pools/ponds.

For overall backyard coverage:

Dr. Ts Mosquito Repelling Granules (active ingredients: lemon grass, mint and garlic oil)
Amazon Lights Garden Incense Sticks (with andiroba, citronella, and rosemary)
Mosquito Barrier (garlic spray)

Pheromone Trap:

Oak Stump Mosquito Flying Insect Trap

Skin repellents:

Bug Off oil
Ecozone Outdoor Skin Protection
Herbal Shooo
Ecozone Skeeter Schoo
Towelette Liquid Net
Bite Blocker
Boanicus autralis lemon tea tree
Trinity Essentials Camphor Oil
Essential oils: lavender, lemongrass, camphor, lemon balm, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, citronella, scented geranium, yarrow, catmint

To make your own mosquito repellent:

Essential oil (you can mix a few of your favorites)
190 proof grain alcohol, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or vodka

In a spray bottle, mix at a 10:1 ratio of alcohol to essential oil. Be sure to shake well before using. Always test on a small patch of your arm and hand since some people are skin-sensitive to certain essential oils.

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John Dromgoole

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December To Do List

Plant: ornamental & wildlife

Hardy perennials, shrubs
Trees
Roses (best time!)
Winter annuals, including calendula, snapdragon, pansy, viola, dusty miller, ornamental kale and cabbage, alyssum, stock, cyclamen, dusty miller, flowering kale and cabbage
Avoid planting cold tender plants like Pride of Barbardos, Esperanza, lantana, plumbago

Plant: herbs

Perennials thyme, oregano
Avoid planting rosemary
Cilantro transplants, parsley, dill, fennel , chervil, summer savory, borage, rue, chives
Be prepared to cover in case of deep freeze

Plant: food crops

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Vegetable Planting Guides (Central Texas) http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/home-landscape/edible-gardens/growing-vegetables/

Prune

Prune freeze damaged plants or not? Best to leave seeds on plants for birds and protect root system. If picky relatives coming, okay to prune
Avoid pruning shrubs right now unless you see damage
Do not prune oak trees unless you have damage: paint wound immediately
Okay to prune trees other than red oaks and live oaks

Divide/Move

Shrubs, roses, trees, evergreen spring-blooming perennials while dormant
Asters and other fall-bloomers which are dormant

Prep

Select spots where you want fruit trees, grapes, or berries to plant in January; for now, prep with compost
Mulch cold tender plants like gingers, Esperanza and semi-tropicals
Keep that row cover ready! Do not protect plants with plastic!

Lawn

Pluck out early weeds.

Other tasks

Rake leaves into beds to mulch over winter and return nutrients to the soil
Mow leaves on grass (if not raking to beds or compost) to break them down
Collect leaves from neighbors to add to compost pile!
Deeply water new plants; keep new seedlings moist but not drenched