Is there anything thing that actually works to ward off mosquitoes?

[Urbanredneck]

@HMS_Irruncible

Things that work:
[ul]

Things that do not work:
[LIST]
[li]Essential oils (lemongrass, eucalyptus, patchouli, all that shit). Not EPA approved for mosquito repellent. Mostly good for helping hippies feel virtuous.[/li][li]Picaridin. Hey look, I avoided that evil DEET, and I only got bitten by a single infected tick! No thanks.[/li][li]Bug zappers. Fun to watch, not effective. Mosquitos have very short range, they aren’t going to make an epic suicide journey for your entertainment.[/li][li]Propane traps. See bug zappers.[/li][li]Bat houses. Bats are fun. Bats are good for the environment. By all means install some bat houses. Just don’t expect to be rewarded with any significant dent in your mosquito population.[/li][/ul]

I disagree with the propane traps. I have worked on a couple of farms and they could keep an area clear for about 100 yards circle. Granted they are a long term approach that might take several days before you notice an affect and they also depend on the wind.

[Urbanredneck]

One problem for us on the farm is we also had bees and spraying chemicals to kills the bad bugs, also can kill off our bees. We basically try and keep the bees locked up for a few days during and after spraying.

[Catamount]

We’re very lucky at Catamount & Co. A family of bats took up residence in our eaves a couple of years ago and they take care of our mosquito population. They don’t get in the attic because there’s chicken wire between the vent in the eaves and the attic so there’s no nasty bat poop to clean up.

[bump]

About a year and a half ago, we had our old chain-link fence/hedge mess that surrounded our backyard removed and replaced with a more standard wood fence.

HUGE improvement in the number of mosquitoes we experience now. Apparently they’d shelter up in the foliage or something.

I can’t say that fogging seems to do much long-term. It’s great if you want to ensure that a yard is mosquito free for the afternoon, but doesn’t seem to make any kind of long-lasting difference. I’ve tried the commercial bottled stuff (sumithrin/piperonyl butoxide- same as the commercial Anvil formulation, only less strong), and malathion/mineral spirits. Neither seemed more effective than the other.

[lobotomyboy63]

@Renee

I’ve actually found a combination of essential oils (peppermint, lemongrass, and eucalyptus) added to some lotion to be pretty effective against bugs of all kinds. Much nicer than DEET.

We used to get Skeeter Logs at Lowes. It’s not clear how many Wally is selling here—we’d get them for $3 apiece or so.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/RediFlame-Skeeterlog/154764749?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101004652&adid=22222222227132560866&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=239115809195&wl4=pla-392515699080&wl5=9026941&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=137682025&wl11=online&wl12=154764749&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInLG3yKrA6QIVUtbACh05wggTEAQYBCABEgKED_D_BwE

Another alternative:

https://www.target.com/p/repel-plant-based-lemon-eucalyptus-insect-repellent-pump-spray-4-fl-oz/-/A-12708369?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Patio%2BGarden&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9026941&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3ZzZg6vA6QIVENvACh2gfgDCEAQYAiABEgL1RvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I tried it while camping and didn’t get any mosquito bites at all. I did discover, quite belatedly, that it was no defense AT ALL from chiggers.:(:eek:

And I’ve read, but never tried, that burning coffee grounds can keep them away.

[Paintcharge]

These Thermacell things actually work.

Mosquito eradicator also works. You hang it in a tree away from where you want to be and it attracts and poisons them so they don’t reproduce

[markn_1]

@Paintcharge

These Thermacell things actually work.

Mosquito eradicator also works. You hang it in a tree away from where you want to be and it attracts and poisons them so they don’t reproduce

I haven’t used either one, but apparently Thermacell protects only a 15 foot by 15 foot area, doesn’t work in a breeze, and smells terrible. The fact that the Mosquito Eradicator is illegal in 10 states gives me pause about that one.