mosquito trap

[NCxM50]

Actually, the single best way to get rid of mosquitoes, is to bring in dragonflies. They eat a diet of almost strictly mosquitoes as both larvae as well as adults. Any environment that can support mosquitoes is capable of supporting the dragonfly.

In more than one instance, humans have tampered with nature by introducing a non native species into an area to control a pest. In almost every instance the result has been disastrous. Dragonflies are a major exception to that. They've been introduced into habitats all over the world, but particularly in southeast asia, to control mosquito populations in order to curb the spread of malaria and west nile. Everywhere they've been introduced, it's been successful. They don't feed on vegetation, so they're non-harmful in that regard, and they serve as an additional food source for birds, some of which also eat mosquitoes. Contrary to popular myth, dragonflies do not bite nor do they sting, so they don't bother humans either unless you just have an unreasonable fear of them.

The best part? Unlike other predators, which you have to build a habitat for and hope for the best that come and move in, with dragonflies, you just need some standing water, and some money to buy the dragonfly nymphs to breed.

As for the co2 generators, my dads property is 1.9 acres (about 1 acre is cleared), they've got one generator on the property, and my mom can work her gardens and flowers without being bitten. She's not the "sittin on the porch" type either (I am though, except on the days I have to mow the lawn. or rake. or trim the bushes. or clip the rose bushes).

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by amvince

So the natural answer is to get some bats and put them in the yard to eliminate them correct?

And then what do we do with the bats LOL

[tricker]

With dragonflies, you would also need to include the situation of the environment. If your stuck in suburbia there's not much of a chance that you can have that sort of predator. Now lets say you live in the country next to either a stream or smaller lake. If i remember correctly then you have a chance. Also for the mosquito habitat, in a lake or small pond introduce certain small fish and you should have a slightly more controlled population of those little bastids instead of unchecked completely.

Other than that suck it up, toss on the bug spray and hope for the best.

All information here is based on crap i learned 3-4 years ago. So correct me if you wish i'm ok with it.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by buster

Yes minute.... see..

Your place? Looks lovely. Much like here.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Clint

Or maybe you just have really stupid mosquitoes down there. We have ferocious mosquitoes up here, and they don't seem to be fooled by CO2 generators, at least for very far.

You just need to shower more.

[intimid8er]

I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!

I knew you were a friggin' redneck!!!

It may not be a rusted out Dodge, but sure as sh*t! There's a rusted out, defunct car on the lawn with weeds growing under it!!! I'll be damned!!! (A Beemer no less!)

Originally Posted by buster

Yes minute.... see..

[omegajim]

that's not redneck enough - the broke down car would appear to be an old BMW 3 series.

a real redneck house, well let's see.

a broke down tractor visible from the road.
a broke down implement, also visible from the road.
a shed that looks like it's going to fall over with the next good wind.
an outhouse, also visible from the road.
a smokehouse - made from fieldstone (okay that's not red neck, that is out envy) also clearly visible from the road.

and 2 or more old vehicles of about the same vintage and condition.

and I bought the $40 mosquito unit that uses a black light and octenol.

remembering that with octenol
1) it lasts for about a month
2) when not in use, place said bait in a ziploc bag or
3) everything in the area smells like octenol (not a bad smell, but not terribly pleasant, either).

and for the necessity of the ziploc bag is because

"you should not leave the unit out in the elements when not in use; although it can withstand moderate amounts of precipitation, heavy storms are not advised."

additionally, "do not clean with water or other fluids, compressed air is recommended."

but other than that, (with one use) there seems to be success.

and I live in a condo, so dragonflies are not recommended.

[amvince]

Now if he had these in the picture you would know he was a Redneck. By the way is that a dog or a Chupacabra in the picture?

[SNAFU]

Up here we use Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT for short.

[buster]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!

I knew you were a friggin' redneck!!!

It may not be a rusted out Dodge, but sure as sh*t! There's a rusted out, defunct car on the lawn with weeds growing under it!!! I'll be damned!!! (A Beemer no less!)

Yeah I hated that car so much that when it broke down I parked it on the garden and forgot about it - I used to keep the garden tools in it!

Originally Posted by amvince

Now if he had these in the picture you would know he was a Redneck. By the way is that a dog or a Chupacabra in the picture?

I have no I dea what a Chupacabra is(is that the horse in the picture?) the dog is a Weimeraner....

Shylock



Actually back on track.. the dog is much better at attracting the wee beasties.. if we are sitting in the garden, have the dog sit with us and all the beasties go and feed on him...

[Trapper]

50% deet works.

[tricker]

Chupacabra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[amvince]

I have no I dea what a Chupacabra is(is that the horse in the picture?) the dog is a Weimeraner....

Shylock

Much better picture of the dog and a fine looking Weimeraner.

[drgibson]

Mosquito Killer, Spray Repellent, Skeeter Defeater Kills Mosquitoes on Contact

[pugsly]

i prefer the headlight on my bike vrooooom vrooooom splat splat splat

[Porcelina Goddess]

Well, I'm allergic to mosquito bites, so it's either I reek of Off or I have welts the size of quarters all over me, that turn into major bruises if I scratch them.

I say we just all run for cover and nuke the bastids. I see no purpose for them in the grand scheme of things. I don't think the food chain will be affected at all.

[Clint]

Oh, dear. Our nation's sorry state of science education is showing.

The impact to the "food chain" (local ecosystems) would be enormous. Amphibians, reptiles, birds, other insects and all the way up from there would be devastated. The ripple effects would cause no end of chaos.

[Porcelina Goddess]

Ah geeze, you're generalizing *my* science education as the *entire* nation's? I have faith that my science education is better than the nation's, with a 3.75 HS GPA Ironically, there are science geniuses out there who've experimented and created the world's biggest mistakes, including those which wipe out entire species, simply for the advancement of the human race. Perhaps I was a bit hyperbolic mentioning nuking them... but state for me their useful purpose on this green earth, and maybe I'd side with the vile insect.

Since you brought it up, have you seen the nation's report card on the subject? It's not limited to a lack of science understanding. In fact, all subjects are hurting, and our "dear adolescents" are searching for quick money-making schemes that include drugs and guns. Throw in a nation that's hurting economically and now the guns and drugs look *really* good, b/c they'd rather make money quick than hurt themselves working hard for it!! ah.. don't get me started!!

But back to the point ...lol... as a female who swells up anythime she's bit by one, I'm expressing my Venetian prerogative here and saying that mosquitos don't need to exist. I'd risk irradicating them. There's other bugs out there.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by Clint

Oh, dear. Our nation's sorry state of science education is showing.

The impact to the "food chain" (local ecosystems) would be enormous. Amphibians, reptiles, birds, other insects and all the way up from there would be devastated. The ripple effects would cause no end of chaos.

damn clint you beat me to it... was busy cooking fresh trout.. mmm trout...

[inspiron]

Sorry PG, I've got to go with Clint on this one. Mosquitoes are a pain in the butt, and in many countries, they are the single largest cause of death, carrying diseases like malaria. But at the same time, they have an important role in the food chain - birds and bats eat them. Wiping out the mosquitoes would hurt these populations, which would in turn hurt species higher up the chain...eventually hurting humans. We'd be shooting ourselves in the gut...