Ivy is lovely when it's decorating walls, but it's a danger when it harbors mosquitoes.
Ivy plants are fairly easy to grow and are attractive, but in outdoor spaces they may attract and harbor mosquitoes. Ivy is prized by gardeners and landscapers for its vining properties and dark green foliage, but it may also become problematic in garden areas. Mosquitoes aren't just irritating pests; they may also transmit diseases like West Nile Virus. Plants that attract mosquitoes may turn your garden from a pleasant oasis into a pest-filled nightmare. Does this Spark an idea?
Water
More than anything else, mosquitoes are attracted to water. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, up to 200 at a time. Standing water, even a small amount, may draw many mosquitoes to your outdoor spaces. Ivy, which grows against walls, the ground and other structures, may easily hide puddles and patches of water that attract mosquitoes. Other groundcovers and climbing plants may also hide puddles of water anywhere in the yard. Even if you can't see it, the mosquitoes know water is there and they will be drawn to it.
Ivy
Landscaping ivy displays spreading growth; it will grow right against the ground, trees, fences and walls. The same growth habit that makes ivy useful and attractive in the garden makes it problematic. The dense growth and dark green foliage is ideal for hiding puddles of water that draw mosquitoes. Once mosquitoes find an available source of water, they will flock to it repeatedly. Eggs have the ability to remain dormant for months before they are hatched, simply sleeping in a puddle of water, and you may find the pests returning to your outdoor spaces again and again as a result. Even eliminating all mosquitoes and eggs may not eliminate the problem; new mosquitoes will still be drawn to the standing water. Look under your ivy for hidden puddles of water, and find a way to prevent this problem if you want to prevent future mosquitoes.
Flowers
Mosquitoes are attracted to the sweet smells emitted by flowers and fruits. Large flowerbeds and garden areas with fruit trees and bushes act as a magnet to these pests. You can have your flowers and enjoy them, too. Place mosquito-repelling plants around garden beds and near fruit plants to keep the pests away. Marigolds, which are attractive garden flowers, emit an odor that mosquitoes don't like. Interspersing plantings of marigolds around the flowerbeds help to repel the insects.
Mosquito Attractors
While attracted to dark-colored foliage, mosquitoes also seek bright color and movement. Ornamental vines and plants that display all of these characteristics, particularly if they grow close to the ground and may harbor puddles of water, are very likely to draw mosquitoes. Use repellents and drainage techniques to keep the mosquitoes away.
Tags: puddles water, outdoor spaces, your outdoor spaces, attract mosquitoes, attractive garden, dark green, dark green foliage