Suggestions for mosquito control?

[CottonEyedHorn]

Over the past week, you can't take two steps in my backyard without being attacked by mosquitoes. I'm 99% sure that they are originating from under my deck, as I have no other areas around my yard where water would collect. How can I get rid of and /or repel these suckers? The deck is ground level and doesn't really have any access to get underneath it. My kids get eaten alive right now.

 

[wolfman]

I get a spray from Lowes called "Cutter". It is about $10 and it is a spray bottle that attaches to a garden hose. One application is usually good for about 2 to 3 weeks for me with some help up to 4 weeks. Also look for any standing water that you may have and eliminate that. In gutters, etc.

 

[flyingdoggystyle]

This year I'm using permethrin. You can get some liquid concentrate at Tractor Supply. I tried the garlic/habanero mix last year with no success.

 

[Wild Bill]

I agree with "Cutter" as well. If it doesn't rain, it'll last about 3-4 weeks. Be sure to spray the trees and bushes well, because they like to hide there untill feeding time.

 

[fratboy_legend]

i concur on the cutter product. i generally get 2-3 weeks relief

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

There are two products of a similar vein; partially mentioned above:

Permethrin & Pyrethrin.

I don't know which one is 'natural' & which is the synthetic version, however.

This is the same kind of product that we use on our horses & it keeps the flies away for extended periods of time. What I would do is to look @ the label & see if it has either form of this & look for the highest % concentration that you can find.

Of course Cutter seems to have a good reputation, so there's always that...

 

[Uninformed]

Pyrethrin is the natural product from the flowers of chrysanthemum. It can be bad for dogs. I am not a dog, but I am allergic to it. In other words, it isn't great for humans either. Nonetheless, I think most experts consider the product safe. It has been used for over 200 years.

Permethrin is an older, early generation, pyrethroid insecticide (synthetic, more active analog of pyrethrin). It has recently enjoyed an upswing in popularity since diazinon was taken off the US market. It is more toxic, I think, than pyrethrin. However, it still is considered minimally toxic. It is very bad for cats so be careful.

 

[accuratehorn]

A fairly amazing improvement can be made by eliminating standing water around the house. If you think it is really caused by water under the porch, could a couple of boards be removed to gain access? You could fill in the low spots with dirt or something, to fix that problem.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

accurate, I think that's what I'm going to do. The deck is 20 years old and I've not been able to completely eliminate my sprinklers from hitting it. There's probably areas where water collects after each sprinkling.

 

[accuratehorn]

Might not be that hard to get in there, and it might make a very noticeable difference.

 

[Steel Shank]

Is Cutter safe for dogs who spend a lot of time in the backtard? Sometimes eating grass?