[ale] WAY OT controlling asian tiger mosquitos and others

[JD]

30% deet. There is no substitute or there wasn't until Picaridin.  I've been
places that are famous for flying insects, including mosquitoes.  At one of
these places, even 30% deet wasn't enough to keep a horse fly from biting.

Picaridin has also been proven to be effective. Doesn't have the negatives of
Deet from what I read, but it is harder to find in the USA.

Also, remove all sources of standing water to limit the breeding area for the
little buggers.

I have given bug zappers as wedding presents. Enjoyment for the entire family,
but I have doubts about total effectiveness. The NYT article confirms.

I would check Consumer Reports for any non-standard solutions.
Google on "consumer reports mosquitoes" showed some interesting results.



On 07/30/2013 01:22 AM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> 
> You've been warned, WAY OT.
> 
> Don't flame me for posting this, but you guys are my geeky brain trust, and you
> had a gardening thread going on recently, so I figured I'd try it.
> 
> I live on a wooded property and there are huge numbers of mosquitoes around in
> the summer, particularly lately.  I think the main species active in the day
> time may be the Asian Tiger Mosquito.  If we go outside for more than 1-2
> minutes, they're attacking with a vengeance.  I don't know for sure if they're
> Asian Tigers, since I'm too busy shewing, slapping, and moving to look closely
> at their appearance.  But I do know those are much more active in daylight hours
> than others; and I know I've occasionally seen their distinctive striped
> appearance.
> 
> I'm not a big outdoors person, but this just reinforces my stay inside or in a
> car mentality, even in fair weather.  I have to make it a point to try to never
> leave the front house door or a car door open more than 5-10 seconds.
> 
> I'm posing this to you to find out if you've had personal experience with exotic
> solutions, some of which I'll mention.  I don't want to put pesticide /
> repellent on my skin.  I don't want to spray large parts of the yard with
> chemicals.  So, I'm wondering about some of the less invasive technologies.
> 
> I've read enough to become convinced that ultrasonic devices don't work at all;
> and bug zapper devices don't primarily work on mosquitoes.
> 
> I am interested to know if anyone has had experience with the mosquito magnet
> brand of propane / attractant driven trap.  According to Amazon reviews, they
> seem to work, but cost $ 300 to acquire and $ 40+ or so per month to run.  Some
> reviews say they're not durable.
> 
> I would also be interested in the new OFF devices with a fan that you clip on
> your belt.  They've been advertising them like they're the shields around the
> starship Enterprise.  Let's just say I'm skeptical.
> 
> Another thing that crossed my mind is those fans you can mount over the door
> which blow air downward.  At least that could keep the critters out of the house.
> 
> The subject of bats may come up, and I'm glad to discuss it.  I did do some
> reading though that said bats will prefer other food sources where they can get
> more of a meal for less work.
> 
> This is not a critical problem, and, truth be known, I probably wouldn't spend $
> 300 to fight it.  But it is extremely annoying.  I just hate the idea of my
> blood being sucked to help create more of the #$#$%#$% stinking bugs.  There is
> also the remote chance of them carrying dangerous diseases.  Also, not being
> able to go outside hardly at all, is annoying even for me.
> 
> Anybody have any suggestions that don't involve putting toxic chemicals on
> myself or the property?
> 
> Any help is always appreciated.  Can't say I would implement any given
> suggestion, but I'd certainly consider them, and would enjoy learning about
> options.  I always learn things from the discussions here.  My reading has
> convinced me there is no silver bullet, as with so many real world problems. 
> I'd settle for just about any usable and affordable bullet.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Ron
> 
>