Opinions on Mosquito fogging/misting systems ?

Deschodt · 05:14 AM

I recently visited a friend in TX who had a Mosquitonix system in his backyard... If you never heard of those, it's a system of spray nozzles around the perimeter fence misting the place 4 times a day with some plant derived spray that kills mosquitoes but is harmless to people (supposedly, anyway, it is banned in the state of NY ;-) It's advised you also run it an hour before you go outside for better results.. It seems to work decently, no smell, no residue and you maybe get a bite over the evening - not 100% but not bad considering TX mosquitoes...

I'm in FL and I'm considering removing our mosquito cage (because it's ugly and I'm building a nice pergola) and going with such a system instead of trying to hide mosquito screen between pergola beams. Not married to a brand though... Anyone have opinions on those systems, are they worth the cost ? Do they really work long term ? My primary issue would be "how about my neighbor's mosquitoes?" - they say the larva is very local and the one that bit you tends to be born in your yard, but it's just a fence hop for a motivated bloodsucker ;-) Opinions ?

Rikao4 · 06-20-2013, 05:34 AM

pretty sure I don't want to yr 5 yr from now..
this stuff is bad for you..

Baz will probably know more about this thing..
Coast Guard uses them..
they use propane gas..
recently saw a comm. for a smaller version..
one island was no-mans land..
couple of these things..
bug free..

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I'm seriously considering one of those systems, but then again, I'm in Texas...

I've done a lot of work to eliminate standing water in my yard, which has helped. There are also lawn sprays that help. One of my neighbors has a chemical feed on his sprinkler system and puts the anti-mosquito stuff in there. Again, it is supposed to stop reproduction.

If I put in a mosquito misting system, it will be around my back porch and pool.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Chemical concentrate is 10% Permethrin solution. 32oz plus 55 gallons of water is what is sprayed.

Vector Ban 64Oz - #1 Equestrian Fly & Mosquito Misting Insecticide In USA

gamin · 06-20-2013, 05:39 AM

Any insecticide "natural" or synthetic if sprayed into the air will not only kill mosquitoes but also beneficial insects such as honey bees, lady bugs, dragon flies, etc. You can make big improvements in your mosquito problem by dealing with the larval environment. That environment is still water which varies from pool size to bottle cap. Anything that holds still water. Example, dump any bird bath at least every week to break the larval cycle. If water can't be dumped there are products on the market that you put in the water to deal with the larva which are harmless to fish, birds, etc. Treat anything that can hold water for more than a week. Most mosquitoes are indeed very local but the wind can carry them from next door. Not much is 100% effective but you can sure made big improvements for little money.

Deschodt · 06-20-2013, 05:59 AM

Sounds like I should screen :-) I can't think of good bugs around here, no bees, occasional dragonfly bug pretty rare. It's wasps, no-see-ems, mosquitoes. But that stuff sounds nasty indeed...

cashflyer · 06:31 AM

Mosquito Dunks can take care of larvae in standing water.

For a cheaper solution, I hear dumping some used motor oil into the standing water will suffocate the larvae.

You could try a SkeeterVac at your property. Devices like this are targeted to mosquitoes and for the most part are a non issue to other insects.

lane912 · 06-20-2013, 06:30 AM

get a good C02 type trap-
they work so well
with a little added chocolate
it will pay for it's self in notime-

Geary · 06-20-2013, 09:53 AM

x2 on CO2

VincentVega · 06-20-2013, 10:34 AM

Timely thread. I was looking at a Dynatrap, CO2 device, but the reviews are all over the map on Amazon. Not sure I want stuff spraying all over the place but if it works I'm all ears.

Heel n Toe · 06-20-2013, 11:08 AM

Make a few of these, too.
______________________________
Homemade mosquito trap

Items needed:
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 gram of yeast
1 2-liter bottle

HOW:
1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.
2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.
5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are also drawn to the color black.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

My last house was near a lake and we had seasonal insect problems. I perimeter sprayed permethrin every 60 days to control ants, spiders, roaches. I wore a protective coverall, gloves, and mist mask. Having that stuff in a fogger on a timer just sounds like bad news though. If it effectively kills broad spectrum insects I can't imagine it has zero effect on humans if exposed over time. The potential risks outweigh the benefits IMO.

jwasbury · 06-20-2013, 01:29 PM

You need some bats to take up residence. We have a maternity colony of brown bats living in the barn of our country home in PA. They eat a ton of bugs, hardly ever a mosquito bite and there's lots of standing water around.

MBAtarga · 06-20-2013, 02:47 PM

I've been doing a little research on this same topic - trying to decrease my mosquito population around the house and garden. I found this product recommended last night - haven't made a purchase yet though:

Mosquito Repellent | Insect Repellent | Natural Mosquito Control by Mosquito Barrier

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

And it keeps Vampires away too!

masraum · 06-20-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I've been doing a little research on this same topic - trying to decrease my mosquito population around the house and garden. I found this product recommended last night - haven't made a purchase yet though:

Mosquito Repellent | Insect Repellent | Natural Mosquito Control by Mosquito Barrier

I tried one of the garlic products several years back here in Houston. I think our mosquitos must have been Italian or Spanish, because it didn't seem to bother them at all.

Rick V · 06-20-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

You need some bats to take up residence. We have a maternity colony of brown bats living in the barn of our country home in PA. They eat a ton of bugs, hardly ever a mosquito bite and there's lots of standing water around.

This is the answer. I have a bat house on the back of the property and don't have issues with mosquitoes and I live in a river town.