I need some help here.

[Ninjasquirrel]

I am highly allergic to mosquito bites and I can tell you it is a constant battle every year. Even with a mosquito magnet we still have to lite a bic coil on our porch. Skin so soft works great, off is better but you cant go wrong with good ol fashioned DEET. I dont like to use it unless I plan to be roaming around but DEET is the way to go

 

[aart]

you cant go wrong with good ol fashioned DEET.

Yep, it works the best.
Was on the 'terrible' list for quite awhile, until West Nile came around, then it was back on top.

 

[getaclue]

During mosquito season, don't eat bananas. Put garlic in your foods on a regular basis. IF you have a ditch, small pond, etc., put a couple tablespoons of cooking oil on the water. A bit more for larger bodies of water. It forms a very thin film on the water, preventing the mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water. As long as you don't overdo it, it won't harm anything.

 

[aart]

F you have a ditch, small pond, etc., put a couple tablespoons of cooking oil on the water. A bit more for larger bodies of water. It forms a very thin film on the water, preventing the mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water. As long as you don't overdo it, it won't harm anything.

Yikes!
Would think that would also affect other aquatic critters and blocking the waters oxygen exchange capacity.
Mosquito dunks(Bacillus thuringi- ensis subspecies israelensis. ) would be kinder.

 

[getaclue]

Yikes!
Would think that would also affect other aquatic critters and blocking the waters oxygen exchange capacity.
Mosquito dunks(Bacillus thuringi- ensis subspecies israelensis. ) would be kinder.

Nope, unless you add way too much.

 

[cmom]

https://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellent/how-to-use-permethrin-on-clothing-safely/

 

[Matejka]

I use a Dynatrap. It's a device that attracts mosquitos with a lure and ultraviolet light. Then it sucks them in with a strong fan and contains them in a reservoir. What's also important is that mosquitoes have a short life and don't fly very far from where they were bred. So when you gather the ones on your property they don't have an opportunity to breed and are virtually eliminated except for the random 1 or 2 that the winds may blow in.

I've had a large Dynatrap in the backyard for 3 years because we wanted to use our pool without the irritation of mosquitos. And I have a second small one near a fountain where the water is an opportunity for them to breed. We haven't had a problem in the 3 years we've been using them.

Dynatraps won't attract pollinators. There's no poison whatsoever. When the insects are contained they simply live out their short lives where they can't bother anyone. in fact, when I empty the reservoir about once a year I give the accumulated insect carcasses to my chickens.

The trick is to locate it rather centrally on your property but AWAY from where you intend to be. ...so you're not attracting insects into your zone. It needs to have an electrical connection and hang at roughly 3'-5' off the ground in the fly zone of mosquitos. And you want to run it 24/7 for the months when the mosquitoes are active.

I use dynatrap also. It makes a huge difference in all the bug activity. I do have to empty mine about once a month-but it works!

 

[IamRainey]

I use dynatrap also. It makes a huge difference in all the bug activity. I do have to empty mine about once a month-but it works!

I know I sound like a commercial 'cause I'm always recommending it (on my neighborhood forum) but I'm not affiliated in any way and I don't get any consideration for my endorsement. I just have found something that WORKS in a green and responsible way!

 

[colinpurrington]

I've also heard wonderful things about the "Spartan Mosquito Eradicator". I tried them last year but I honestly believe that I needed more of them up because i have a large pond that I'm sure the mosquitoes love.

Spartan Mosquito is being sued for false advertising. The company claimed that the salt killed the adult mosquitoes in yards but per scientists, salt does not kill mosquitoes. Scientists in Florida even tested the tubes and found they were ineffective. Unfortunately a scam.

 

[colinpurrington]

Does anyone know of any reason to NOT use ordinary OFF spray?

DEET is fantastic and has been monitored for years for safety concerns. Sure, don't spray it in your eyes and don't drink it, but topically it's not going to harm you.