Okay...am getting fed up with all the mosquitos in my yard. How do ya'll get rid of them without affecting butterflies and caterpillars?
I don't have any standing water...well aside from a small birdbath that I empty out and refill with fresh water a couple of times a week. I do have lots of plants and vines and am assuming the mosquitos hide out in those? Not sure if my neighbor's have any standing water...I read mosquitos fly a mile so the could be coming from anywhere...but it seems they camp out in my yard!!!
I must always spray myself before I walk outside and I keep a bottle of OFF insect repellant on my patio table because whenever I'm working at the table a swarm of mosquitos will start flying around my ankles, arms and hands looking for a place to attack. I end up spritzing them to kill them...but this happens every time!!!
I don't want to spray any on my hands because I also carry my camera outside with me and don't want to get any chemicals on the lens or the camera's rubber parts. I also sometimes handle butterflies when I release them or caterpillars when cleaning out their cages.
I've tried those burning those mosquito coils, citronella oil lamps, rubbing myself with fabric softener sheets and those gadgets you wear on your wrists that are supposed to emit a sound they don't like. Well, they don't work!!!
Will a mosquito be attracted to a bug zapper - and will it work on them? Am thinking if I buy one of those I'd have to put a broadcloth wire screen around it because I don't want moths getting zapped.
Any suggestions? I am really tired of getting bit by mosquitos every time I go outside...and if I leave the patio door open for a few minutes they find their way inside the house as well...UGH!!!
~ Cat
Dratted mosquitos - how do you get rid of them?
Cat~ Sounds like a tough problem there. With little flying critters, preventive measures i.e. Mosquitoes tablet in water puddles and such to rid of their larvaes before they hatch. Other than that I think the light zapper would be a thing to go for, with protective screen to prevent the moths from being zapped like you've thought of.
We live by the lake. During the summer month mosquitoes are a problem, but for some reason those don't bite - lucky me! They just hoover over plants in number and become quite disturbing especially walking in the garden in early morning hours.
Also, if you post your question on "Insect and diseases Forum" I bet there will be more help available there?
Kim
Cat, there was a thread a while back about a vitamin....B12 maybe? that made some people less tasty and garlic pills....sorry, can't remember all the suggestions. Try Googling and you might get some ideas.
We have mosquitoes bad here too and I go through a ton of bug spray, ugh.
I thought about posting it under the insect forum but figured those folks wouldn't be too concerned about harming butterflies or caterpillars. Am assuming they'd say use a fogger :o) Perhaps I misjudged that forum :o)
Hmmm...I could eat more garlic...I do love to cook...but I'd still get bit before the skeeter tasted the garlic? :o) I'm a mosquito magnet!!! UGH!!! They really are vicious critters out here. Am thinking of putting a fly strip under the patio table - among other places that a butterfly wouldn't venture too.
Will have to look into those bug zappers too.
~ Cat
I was trying to find the thread and found this:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/609173/
Last summer I took a piece of Rosemary and swished it all over my arms and legs, it seemed to help but it gave me a headache so I stopped.....that smell is so strong!
I know they're attracted to the carbon dioxide but I think there are other factors that attract or repel them too...like with Lily...why doesn't she get bit?
Rox,
Thanks for that link...I read about megacatch...interesting! Will look into that too. That one sounds like a winner...but I know if I like the idea of paying $25 a month for those 30 day lure strips.
Hmm...just seems there is no easy or inexpensive solution.
There are toads in my yard but my cocker spaniel just doesn't learn she's not supposed to mess with them!!! Have lost track of the times I've had to rinse her mouth out - first time I saw her foaming at the mouth it freaked me out until I realized she'd being trying to bite a toad!
~ Cat
Hummm, I don't get biten because I cook with garlic daily? hummm, Fly_girl I didn't know that. And my cholesterol level is great too....hummmm, garlic anyone? lol,lol.
Kim
It's B1(thiamine) that is said to repel the mosquitos. I haven't tried that yet. Heck, if they really didn't like it, I'd make an aerosol thing to spray it around. But I'm skeptical. Nothing seems to do the job so far.
Vitamin B1 seems to be a cure all, it is said that it's great as a root stimulator, now it repel skitters? Hah, it's a win win situation for gardeners over all isn't? Hummm, hummmm.
Kim