This link suggests this plant might be a true possibility as a repellant for mosquitoes. Anyone tried this? Or even heard of it?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/r...

I've got plenty of mosquitoes to repel this year with all the rain we've had!

Interesting, but you have to plant it and wait months before it fruits if not a couple years. What will you do in the meantime? How many of it will you need to plant? And what if your yard is so stuffed like my yard you have no room for a new plant?

Somone gave me a recipe for homemade insect repellent that has no chemicals, so I mixed a batch and began to use it this week. I like the smell of it already and it gives me no itch like any other insect spray I used to use.

You don't have to wait for the fruit; it is the leaf that is said to repel. I have not tried it - but now I will!

I came to this forum yesterday because I have an infestation of mealy bugs. I noticed the Beautyberry post concerning mosquito repellent. I was curious since I have a couple of large bushes in our front yard. Yesterday, after rain and muggy temps, I took a few large leaves off one of the Beautyberrys and rubbed them on my arms, neck, and legs. I have to say I was skeptical that the mosquitoes would be covering me within 5 minutes. I had no bites, no landings. Then I thought it was possibly due to the neighbors' margaritas. So this evening, I decided to try it again. Right before dusk, I went out front with a glass of wine and picked a few leaves off the Beautyberry. No bites, no landings. I could see the mosquitoes circling, but not landing. I will continue my experiment tomorrow with gin and tonic.

Seriously, it seems to work! I would love to be able to stop spraying poison on myself just to get out in the garden in the morning. Mealybugs got a shot of soapy water and alcohol. They were not happy.

Maybe they would have preferred their alcohol on the rocks instead of soapy water, Sandi.

Bugs are taking over! I don't spray very much, so I forget what works. Dug out my old Master Gardener notebook and flipped through. Looks like soapy water and rubbing alcohol. It did dry up the ones that got a direct hit, but there are....oh, so, many! I can hear the thunder outside. Looks like rain will wash the bugs down your way, Jean. Stay safe and dry!

We have plenty of both, Sandi. Thanks. Maybe they will just keep going.