Cedar Trees & Insect Bites

Cedar trees and shrubs do not in themselves attract mosquitoes.

Cedar trees and shrubs do not in themselves attract mosquitoes.

Biting insects such as mosquitoes make it difficult to enjoy spending time in your yard. Cedar trees (Cedrus spp.) vary in hardiness, with some growing in mild climates, such as atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica) and deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), both of which are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Cedar has been touted as a natural form of insect control both commercially and in home remedies. However, their effectiveness is debated by experts, and there are more effective ways to control biting insects in your yard.

Cedar Trees As Repellents

It’s unlikely that planting a cedar tree or shrub will repel biting pests. Many people believe that cedars actually attract mosquitoes, because it isn’t uncommon to see swarms of these biting pests around cedar trees and shrubs. However, it’s not because cedar plants attract biting insects. Mosquitoes are actually attracted to the moist, shaded conditions that cedars thrive in. Because mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Cedars growing in moist soils, in low-lying areas of the landscape where water may pool, or near ponds, are likely to have many mosquitoes around them.

Cedar Oil Repellents

There are several commercial insect repellents that contain oil extracted from cedar trees as an active ingredient, and according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cedar oil is among the few essential oils that show some effectiveness at repelling pests. However, because essential oils rapidly evaporate, any repellent properties are short-lived. The efficacy of cedar oil as a repellent for biting insects has not been proven.

The Bottom Line

While cedar trees do not attract mosquitoes or other biting pests to your yard, the trees, as well as mulches and oils, are not a proven repellent for biting pests. According to the National Library of Medicine, the most effective cedar oil spray products typically include another active ingredient, such as DEET. Using large amounts of essential oils like cedar oil on your skin can also cause skin irritation, particularly when the products are exposed to sunlight.

Proven Ways to Control Biting Pests

Instead of using repellent products to repel biting insects in your landscape, it is more effective to make your yard less appealing to them. For example, add amendments such as sand or peat moss to slow-draining areas of your landscape where water puddles in the soil, which attracts fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Reduce vegetation where adult mosquitoes rest and fleas and ticks lay eggs by cutting weeds and mowing the lawn regularly. Remove breeding sites for mosquitoes, such as containers that hold standing water and replace the water in bird baths and flower pots at least once each week. Cover rain barrels with screens or treat the water with natural mosquito larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Remove debris such as piles of lumber and stones, and pick up old pots and other items that provide a hiding place for fleas and ticks. The larvae of these pests are often found in shady, cool spots, such as the area under your porch or along fence lines. Treating the soil in these areas with diatomaceous earth, which is a natural and safe insecticide product, can reduce their numbers.

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