Can't find standing water or breeding grounds, but they are tearing us up!
What methods have you used with success around your pool area?
What methods have you used with success around your pool area?
What do you do to fight MOSQUITOS?
- Thread starter wxguy23
- Start date
Have you checked your gutters for any standing water? This is an often-overlooked breeding ground. Any clogs in the downspouts will cause water to pool in the gutters and sit for quite a while. Had this happen at our former house.
If that checks out OK, you could always try some natural repellants such as these:
Here are more options: Eight Natural Mosquito Repellents
Other essential oils that make good mosquito repellents include Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar Oil, Peppermint Oil, Clove Oil, Geranium Oil. You can mix these in with a carrier such as a thin oil, witch hazel, or (cheap) vodka. Plain water is not a good carrier since oil & water don't mix well. You can also apply these products to cotton balls and place them in a small wide-mouth jar or similar implement. I have done this with peppermint oil and it has definitely made a difference.
You could also run a fan (ceiling or directional) to create a draft that make it very difficult for mosquitos to land on you. Also try wearing bright colors. Dark colors make you look like foliage to mosquitos. Since most mosquitos do not like direct sunlight, they will seek shade.
If you live on a wooded lot and/or near a pond, you will always have more of a mosquito problem than those who live on an open lot away from any standing water. One of my friends lives on a wooded lot and you will get eaten alive, especially from late-afternoon through dusk. At my house (on an open lot with only one tree in the front yard), it is virtually a night & day difference.
If that checks out OK, you could always try some natural repellants such as these:
- Catnip - it really works (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm)
- Pure citronella (not "artificially-fragranced" oil)
Here are more options: Eight Natural Mosquito Repellents
Other essential oils that make good mosquito repellents include Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar Oil, Peppermint Oil, Clove Oil, Geranium Oil. You can mix these in with a carrier such as a thin oil, witch hazel, or (cheap) vodka. Plain water is not a good carrier since oil & water don't mix well. You can also apply these products to cotton balls and place them in a small wide-mouth jar or similar implement. I have done this with peppermint oil and it has definitely made a difference.
You could also run a fan (ceiling or directional) to create a draft that make it very difficult for mosquitos to land on you. Also try wearing bright colors. Dark colors make you look like foliage to mosquitos. Since most mosquitos do not like direct sunlight, they will seek shade.
If you live on a wooded lot and/or near a pond, you will always have more of a mosquito problem than those who live on an open lot away from any standing water. One of my friends lives on a wooded lot and you will get eaten alive, especially from late-afternoon through dusk. At my house (on an open lot with only one tree in the front yard), it is virtually a night & day difference.
ewkearns
0
HOLY SMOKES! That's a lot of money.
- - - Updated - - -
Thanks Bodareville good tips. I find most plants don't work unless you crush and rub the leaves on you. Although, interesting read on catnip.
I'll check the gutters. I have a feeling its my neighbors, but we also have a wooded lot. I have sprayed off, cutter...8 week control. Doesn't work.
Thanks.
I have looked at foggers too.
You can go with Citronella torches (my favorite for the lighting, decent smell and the great way it works) they come in bamboo tall steak in ground types or my favorite is the smaller table top (sometimes metal) torches that just sits on the ground or a table, lemon grass plants or citronella plants (not as good as a torch but spaced around and area strategically, they can be a good all natural defense), propane mosquito magnet as already suggested (high up front cost but are able to do 1/2+ acre lots with just one unit and relatively effective), can of OFF or similar spray on bug deterrent (not really ideal for pool use) and the last one I know of is a home fogger. Similar to those used on the trucks that drive around spraying that fog mist to kill mosquito's. This is a smaller, electric version that is sold as most hardware stores. You just add the appropriate amount of the fog solution to the unit and then using a long extension cord you just fog your whole area. The problem we have had is that after the fogging, they mosquito's only stay gone for around half an hour.
The problem with using insecticides on your lawn or using a fogger is that you will be killing EVERYTHING around, including the good bugs and possibly nesting birds or snakes, yes there are good bugs/snakes too, lol.
Hope you were able to get an idea or two from our posts.
The problem with using insecticides on your lawn or using a fogger is that you will be killing EVERYTHING around, including the good bugs and possibly nesting birds or snakes, yes there are good bugs/snakes too, lol.
Hope you were able to get an idea or two from our posts.
I've had good luck treating the yard once a month with this:
http://www.spectracide.com/Products...for-Lawns-and-Landscapes-Concentrate-RTS.aspx
Along with mosquitoes we have a boat load of small biting flies that tear us up in the evening. The Spectracide takes care of both.
Dom
http://www.spectracide.com/Products...for-Lawns-and-Landscapes-Concentrate-RTS.aspx
Along with mosquitoes we have a boat load of small biting flies that tear us up in the evening. The Spectracide takes care of both.
Dom
I grow Mosquito Shoo around areas we hang out that aren't screened in. It's not a perfect solution, but it reduces the bugs hanging out in the area dramatically. Then you can do the more severe chemical solutions for the rest, but in smaller quantities.
Ive had good luck with Dr T's mosquito granules. Totally safe to pets, kids and envoironment.
Our Orkin guy sprays the bushes and things around the yard. Not sure if it makes a difference, because he has done it from day one. We have very few biting, flying insects though, so I guess it must be doing something. Since our property has a creek and standing water all over the place and the backyard is pretty full off green stuff like bushes and ornamental grasses, etc.
The instructions say to repeat the application in 30 days, but I go as long as 6 weeks before I notice the mosquitos starting to come back. Ive tried several of the safe granule type brands, and this one works great in my yard. It has a garlic odor when you first throw it out, but after a couple of hours, the odor is completely dissipated.
Ive been using it for 2 years now and Im sold on it. And its relatively inexpensive compared to lots of other methods of mosquito control.
Ive been using it for 2 years now and Im sold on it. And its relatively inexpensive compared to lots of other methods of mosquito control.
I had a mosquito magnet years ago, it never seemed to do all that much except burn up a tank of propane about every 2-3 weeks, then it was stolen out of my yard, which probably saved me money on wasted propane in the long run. Sure there would always be dead mosquitoes in the trap, but it only ever seemed to catch a small fraction of them.
Do you just throw on the ground, or target puddle areas? I don't have standing water, but curious.
ewkearns
0
It is important that they are placed in the correct location and dosed with the attractant. I've dumped a bag, literally full of nosee-ums, and it always has its share of mosquitoes.
We just use the torches around the pool area. We have chickens that roam the yard, so I can't use chemicals.
- May 22, 2013
- 2,796
- Pool Size
- 12000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
My GF has a fogger but now that someone mentioned things like butterflies and snakes I think that's a thing of the past. I like the snakes as they eat critters that tear up the lawn and garden and it's funny because I'm pretty sure their den is under the apron around the pool. Get a heck of a scare some mornings walking around the outside of the fence to fill the bird feeders and run across a big snake sunning itself !! Might have to go back to using tiki torches or try the Dr. T's granules mentioned above.
I was getting chewed up recently, and dabbed on little bit of lavender oil. I never got another bite after that.
just toss it around on the ground. Its not a poison, so targeting puddles is of no use with this stuff. Its a repellent made of garlic, lemonseed, and several other natural stuff that mosquitos dont like.
I just toss it on the ground all around the pool and patio where we hang out.
I just toss it on the ground all around the pool and patio where we hang out.
I back up to a forest preserve which has a creek. I have a mosquito magnet Liberty which we used for several years. The last few years we have been using Mosquito Squad who comes out and sprays about once a month. It's works pretty well and about the same price as the mosquito magnet after the propane tank refills and baits that are used. I still have the magnet and will take it up to the Michigan UP when we build a cottage up there. For standing water we use the little doughnut baits in the water which you can buy on Amzon.
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