Mosquito nightmare

[Anonymous]

Many neighborhoods around MD and DC are using GAT Traps from Biogents, which are what the entomologists use. These are inexpensive traps that are passive and capture female tiger mosquitos when they go to lay eggs. They also sell another trap that catches tiger mosquitos looking for blood. There's also a trap that emits carbon dioxide and attracts the full range of mosquitos.

This is a targeted approach that captures only mosquitos, although you may also catch some green bottle flies.

No chemical pesticides, so it's safe for kids, pets, and the environment. You can add BTI, a naturally occurring larvicide to the water in the trap as an extra measure --e.g. Mosquito Dunks.

It's also more affordable.

[Anonymous]

As a research scientist, I want to spread the good word about genetically modified mosquitoes: my fellows have developed a few different types, but the one tested in Florida last year and California this year (pending final approval) are ones where the males pass on a lethal gene to female offspring, which dies as larvae and cannot bite or infect humans with diseases. Male offspring survive to pass on that female-lethal gene to future generations. Over generations of Aedis Aegypti, they *markedly* reduce the total number of that specie in locations where they are released. The specie was chosen because it's the major disease carrier for Yellow Fever, Zika and Dengue, which have appeared in subtropical regions of the US. DC is considered a subtropical region, and now has overwintering of Aedis Aegypti, despite cold winters.

International testing of this type of genetically modified mosquito showed no impact on local ecosystems, but did show a reduction in disease transmission. The lethal gene only persists for a few generations, 3-4 months in real time, so regular release of GM males have to be scheduled.

However Aedis Aegypti only represents 4% of mosquitoes. If humans want to use this technology to reduce the overall mosquito population in urban areas, then more in-depth studies will have to be done on the ecological impacts. I am ALL for it! Please support this plan!

So...
We use mosquito dunks in the gutters and have seen a slight improvement in our mosquito levels, meaning we can go from our car to our front door without the Mongol Hordes swarming in. We still can't go into the backyard at all, except my gardener husband, who apparently isn't as palatable to mosquitoes as my kids and I.

[Anonymous]

I want to put in a plug for picaridin lotion -- Sawyer makes a great one. I'm a mosquito magnet but I detest DEET and I detest bug sprays. I've found I can apply the lotion and go out and garden for hours before I need to reapply.

Bring on the GMO mosquitoes! If the scientists can get to work on GMO tiger mosquitoes that would be great!

[Anonymous]

Skeeter Vac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skeeter Vac.

Brought to you by the same people that make the Suck Cut!

[Anonymous]

You need to spray period

[Anonymous]

Don't forget keeping your gutters clear. Water maybe pooling up there out of sight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skeeter Vac.

Brought to you by the same people that make the Suck Cut!

Had to look that up!

Nope its a functioning mosquito attracting, trapping and killing machine which uses a bait (special one for tiger mosquitos) and propane tank.

[Anonymous]

I have begun to wonder whether I should put out jars of water with mosquito dunks in them in strategic places in the yard.

Seems to me that the mosquitos would want an easy access but contained water source to lay their eggs in.

[Anonymous]

I got some from being out during the day. I woke up in the middle of the night from it and had to coat myself with anti itch cream. And, I had bug spray on! And DEET-based bug spray!

[Anonymous]

I've posted this before, but last year I used verbena scented soap someone gave me and noticed the mosquitos stopped biting me. I couldn't find the same soap this year, so bought lemon verbena soap and lotion, use it everyday and noticed far fewer bites. Instead of 10, I get 1 now when grilling dinner or doing yard work. I've looked online but can't find anything to back this up, but I'll use it throughout summer from now on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate this. The mosquitos are out and I'm already being bitten to death at night because they rush in whenever someone opens our door. I really don't want to coat myself in DEET just to sleep but that's what I'll have to do until November when they finally die. I hate this!!!

Empty any standing water. Use fans when outside (we have a ceiling fan on the porch). Citronella candles. These all work very well and we live next to a watershed area.

Try this, too: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/trap-mosquitoes-buckets-91663.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have begun to wonder whether I should put out jars of water with mosquito dunks in them in strategic places in the yard.

Seems to me that the mosquitos would want an easy access but contained water source to lay their eggs in.

This isn't a bad idea actually. You can make a trap with a plastic bottle and an old sock I think, to make it dark -- https://www.google.com/search?q=mosquito+trap+dark+sock+jar&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS952US952&oq=mosquito+trap+dark+sock+jar&aqs=chrome..69i57.6456j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Anonymous]

Clean your gutters! Better yet, install quality gutter covers. That was the single most important thing in our yard. Virtually eliminated mosquitoes.

[Anonymous]

I have ZERO mosquitos and gnats in my yard that is abutting a state forest. ZERO.

Why? Because my yard is fully native plants. No pesticide, no herbicide and loads of clover in the yard. I am always reseeding my lawn with clover and I tolerate all the weeds. I just keep my yard mowed and neat. I have huge beds, great drainage and it is also rainscaped extensively but I still do not have a mosquito issue because all the rainscaped water is used up by the river birch, turtle heads etc.

I have huge beds with leaf grow and hardwood mulch that is inviting to wildlife from turtles, ring neck snakes, tiniest of gnat eaters, hummingbirds, toads, frogs, dragonflies, ladybugs etc. I have so many pollinator friendly plants and my garden is attracting all kinds of critters. My star performers- Spanish verbena, milkweed, yarrow, turtleheads, joe pye weed, ironweed, lavender, marigold and rosemary,

But the superstars that will clean up your entire yard of mosquitos n a few days are the ...bare-faced hornets. They have been nesting on the north side of the house where there is no traffic. I wanted to get them removed because I heard so much about their bad temper but the cost of removal was around $300. I let them remain undisturbed (they die off in Fall anyways) and realized that they are basically voracious eaters of mosquitos and many other bugs.

I also plant tons of marigolds and they repel unwanted critters and bugs. I do have 4 huge bird baths that get washed and refilled every single day. Once the birds are in the yard, they will make a meal of bugs. Make sure that your yard is free of clutter and there is no standing water.