We all go a little mad sometime

Last summer, I had a problem with mosquitoes and bugs in general.  Yes, in the south, you can't just expect a bug free day, but I think I can do better than last year.  I started researching ways to get rid of mosquitoes.  There are bats.  I already have a small group of them, but they're not pulling their weight.  If I attract more, then I have flying rabies all around.  I read about blue martins, but they seem to be difficult to lure in.  The area I'd like them to work is under a lot of tree cover and from what I've read, they like an open spot for their houses.  I then read that planting catnip, rosemary, lemongrass and marigolds are good to keep away insects.  I was off to the Home Depot. 

<insert crazy montage of a guy who knows jack about gardening navigating Home Depot, while stopping in the plumbing section to pick up some pieces to build a custom lightsaber hilt.  Song submissions are welcome, I kind of envison poppy 80's fun>

I leave Home Depot with an assortment of flower pots, seeds, potting soil, seed starters, a cool tilling device, numerous bulbs, some lawn treatment, some rose bushes, a new cedar bird house, some preplanted marigolds, a couple bags of cedar chips to lay out and measure how many I'll actually need, and yes, some parts for my custom lightsaber hilt. 

Most of Sunday was spent in the yard.   My girl did most of the planting (in the flower pots) and I did general cleanup in the yard, scoping places to plant bulbs, hanging planter boxes, tilling soil, etc... We got some wildflowers seeded, planted a hell of a lot of marigolds, catnip, rosemary and lemon balm (not sure if it's the same as lemongrass, but it was all they had with lemon in the title).  It was a good day.  I estimate I'll need 70 bags of cedar chips to completely cover an area.  My girl, using some sort of measuring voodoo, came up with 46 bags  needed.  I like her estimate better, as it's cheaper, and she used science, while I eyeballed.

Yesterday, the heavens opened up and a deluge of biblical proportions rained down upon us.  I am now concerned about seeds being washed away and most of the work over the weekend being for naught.

Does anyone have any sure fire ways to rid a yard of mosquitoes?  I'm open to just about anything.  I'd prefer to stay away from chemicals, but if they succeed where nature fails, then more power to 'em!