Common Landscaping Plants That Harbor Mosquitoes and What to Plant Instead
Not all landscaping plants are created equal when it comes to mosquito activity. While some plants deter mosquito activity, others provide the perfect hiding spots for them during the day. At GreenGuard USA, we help Austin homeowners identify problem plants and replace them with better options that keep outdoor spaces more comfortable.
If you’ve noticed more mosquitoes in shaded garden areas or near certain shrubs, your landscaping may be part of the problem.
Why Certain Plants Attract Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes do not spend all their time biting humans. In fact, both male and female mosquitoes rely on plant sugars for energy, and females only seek blood meals when they need protein to develop eggs. Dense plants provide two key things mosquitoes need to survive between blood meals: shelter and sugar sources.
1. Shelter From Heat and Wind
Mosquitoes are fragile insects that dehydrate quickly in direct sunlight. Dense plants like boxwoods, ivy, and privet create a cool, humid microclimate that protects them from:
Sunlight and high temperatures during the day
Wind exposure which can quickly dry them out
Predators such as birds and dragonflies
By hiding deep in the foliage, mosquitoes can rest safely and conserve energy until evening, when they become more active.
2. Nectar and Dew for Energy
Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes are not fueled by blood. Their daily energy actually comes from plant sugars. They feed on:
Nectar from flowers and leaf surfaces
Dew droplets that form on leaves overnight and linger into the morning
Honeydew secretions from aphids and other sap-feeding insects
These sugars give mosquitoes the energy they need to fly, mate, and locate breeding sites. Females only switch to blood feeding when they are ready to lay eggs and need the extra protein.
3. Why Dense Plants Make It Worse
Plants with tight, evergreen foliage hold onto moisture and provide continuous shelter year-round. This creates a stable habitat where mosquitoes can hide during the day, feed on nectar and dew, and emerge at dusk to look for a blood meal.
Plants That Harbor Mosquitoes
Boxwoods
Boxwoods are popular for hedges and formal gardens, but their dense evergreen foliage traps moisture and creates ideal mosquito shelter.
English Ivy and Other Dense Groundcovers
Thick ivy and creeping groundcovers provide shaded hiding spots at ground level where mosquitoes can stay cool and undisturbed.
Ligustrum (Privet)
Privet hedges grow thick and fast, making them a popular privacy screen. Unfortunately, this density also makes them perfect mosquito habitat.
Bamboo
Clumping and running bamboo create tall, shaded walls that mosquitoes love, especially in humid conditions.
Junipers and Cedars
Evergreen junipers and cedars offer dense, year-round cover for mosquitoes to hide in.
Better Landscaping Alternatives
If you want privacy and greenery without creating a mosquito haven, consider these lower-density or mosquito-neutral plants:
Native Ornamental Grasses
Switchgrass, gulf muhly, and little bluestem provide movement and texture without trapping moisture.
Flowering Perennials
Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and coreopsis attract pollinators like bees and butterflies but are not preferred by mosquitoes.
Herbs and Fragrant Plants
Rosemary, lavender, and marigolds add color and scent while naturally deterring mosquitoes.
Open-Form Shrubs
Texas sage and beautyberry provide coverage without dense, humid interiors where mosquitoes thrive.
Tips to Reduce Mosquito Habitat in Landscaping
Thin out overly dense shrubs to improve airflow and reduce humidity.
Regularly trim ivy and groundcover to prevent thick mats where mosquitoes rest.
Avoid overwatering; soggy soil creates ideal mosquito conditions.
Combine better plant choices with GreenGuard USA’s CO₂ mosquito traps and bee-friendly GreenGuard USA barrier solution for maximum protection.
Protect Your Yard with GreenGuard USA
Replacing mosquito-harboring plants is an excellent first step, but pairing thoughtful landscaping with proactive mosquito control delivers the best results. GreenGuard USA’s advanced CO₂ traps, larvicidal treatments, and proprietary GreenGuard USA Barrier treatment target mosquitoes at every stage of their life cycle while remaining safe for bees and pollinators.
Request a Free Quote Today and take back your yard from mosquitoes this season.