Mosquitos!!! HELP!!?
Question:There are a bunch of mosquitos in my backyard. When it rains there are puddles made and they stay for anywhere from 3 to 6 days. This is a mosquito baby laying hotspot especially because i have a bunch of trees(big trees) and shade around there. There is no way i can get rid of these puddles (believe me ive tried). So my question is how do i get rid of all those mosquitos, is there somthing i can buy, and when it is dry out, what product is there to kill or remove these mosquitos from my backyard??
Answers:
While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will beautify your yard and help repel mosquitoes.
As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these attractive plants.
HORSEMINT
Horsemint has a scent similar to citronella. Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for colds and flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties because it's essential oils are high in thymol.
ROSEMARY
This wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great, natural mosquito repellant. It has been used for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, so it likes hot, dry weather and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10, and must be grown as a pot plant in colder climates. If you happen to live in a part of the country where rosemary does not grow, you can get a good quality rosemary essential oil; mix 4 drops with 1⁄4 cup olive oil. Store in a cool, dry place. When it comes to fresh plant oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have the plant in your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an inexpensive and attractive way to boost the appearance of the landscape and have natural mosquito repellants on hand as well.
MARIGOLDS
Organic gardeners have used marigolds as companion plants to keep aphids away. Mosquitoes don't like its scent any better (and some humans feel the same way). Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any landscape. They are quite easy to grow from seed.
AGERATUM
This charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the smell. It is used in the perfume industry and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants. Don't rub ageratum on your skin, though. It has some other less desirable elements that you don't want to keep on your skin in quantity. Ageratums are annuals, and they come in a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings.
MOSQUITO PLANTS
There are two types of plants that are called mosquito plants. One is a member of the geranium family that was genetically engineered to incorporate the properties of citronella. Citronella only grows in tropical places, but it is a well known repellant for mosquitoes. This plant was created to bring the repellant properties of citronella into a hardier plant. It will grow where any geranium will thrive. Many have questioned its usefulness as a mosquito repellant, but it is attractive enough to warrant planting for it's ornamental value.
The other kind of mosquito plant is agastache cana. Its common names include Texas hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, giant hyssop, or giant hummingbird mint. As you might guess, hummingbirds are quite attracted to it. It is a New Mexico native, also found in parts of Texas. It is, in fact, a member of the mint family and its leaves do have a pungent aroma when crushed. In its native habitat, it is perennial, and is usually hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9a. It blooms late summer to early fall, so it catches hummingbirds on their annual migration. The long, medium pink flowers reel in butterflies as well.
CATNIP One of the most powerful mosquito repellant plants is ordinary catnip. Recent studies have shown that it is ten times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It is a short lived perennial throughout most of the United States. It is easy to grow from seed, and quickly reseeds. Aside from its intoxicating effects on cats, the leaves make a very soothing tea.
With all of these plants, the leaves must be crushed to release the aroma. Otherwise mosquitoes can't smell them. And, with rosemary and catnip, you can simply crush a few leaves and rub on your skin and clothing to enhance the effect.
So, next time you are revising your plantings, consider using some of these attractive plants to do more than just enhance the landscape. You can have pretty ornamentals that also drive mosquitoes away.
You might want to try Bug Free Backyard® Concentrate Ready-to-Spray by Cutter, it claims to Repel and kills mosquitoes and other annoying insects
Controls up to 4 weeks
32 fl oz treats up to 5,000 sq ft
Easy - just connect to your hose and spray.
It can be found at your local nursery or hardware store.
I hope these were helpful,Good Luck! :)
Drop a nuclear bomb.
If you put a bit of cooking oil on the puddle it will prevent the larvae from hatching, it smothers it I believe.
2 words: bug zapper
Put a few TBLS of Diesel Fuel in the puddles that stay over 3 days, it will kill the mosquito Larva.Nuf Said
Filling in low areas in yards should help in eliminating puddles. Keep drains, ditches and culverts clear to allow proper drainage. Check for any damp spots where mosquitos can hide & breed such as clogged roof gutters.Trim shrubs to discourage them from resting on foliage.
Mosquito Dunks destroy Mosquitoes - by killing the larvae before they mature into biting adult pests. They're the only sustained-release B.t.i. mosquito larvicides available.
You could check out the high tech Infrared Mosquito Killing Trap (IMKT), to see if this is an option. I haven' t had any experience with this, though.
Mosquitos don't like Citronella, Catnip, Rosemary, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Mint, the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Garlic, or Tea Tree Oil. Make a spray of one of these & add a tablsp Ivory soap to a gallon of water & spray your bushes with it when you're outdoors. You can also add a tablsp. soybean (vegetable) oil to the soap & water spray.
OR ...
Use citronella torches &/or candles.
Cinnamon oil shows promise as an environmentally friendly pesticide, killing mosquito larvae more effectively than DEET.
Cedar chips are helpful. Spread on pathways.
While combating those bugs, avoid the mosquito's most active time between the hours of dusk and dawn. On windy days you can usually move about outside with less mosquito confrontations & protect yourself.
The CDC says " oil of lemon eucalyptus provides protection time "similar to low-concentration DEET products in two recent studies."
Iowa State U. researches have reported that an essential oil found in catnip (Nepetalactone)
is more effectivethan DEET. (Organic Gardening Aug/Sept '06)
Rub Lemon balm leaves over yourself & your clothing to repel mosquitos.
Good luck! I hope you get rid of those mosquitos.
I would strongly encourage you not to use any type of fuel/oil.
The best thing you can do is add a little liquid dish detergent (Dawn) and stir the puddle around. The Dawn will coat the mosquito's wings, preventing them from being able to fly off. And as an added bonus, any flea/other types of annoying flying insects that land in it = owned.
i have the same problem exept i live right by a lake
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