hi, i have a basketball hoop in my backyard and theres always mosquitos back there. Like when i go to shootaround, when i come back inside, theres 10-15 new mosquito bites all over my legs. It gets annoying, anyone know how to get rid of a mosquito population, or suggestions of really good mosquito killers or repellent?
2007-09-29 05:57:20 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
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.
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. vegetable oil to the soap & water spray. OR ...Use citronella torches &/or candles.
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 effective than DEET. (Organic Gardening Aug/Sept '06)
Cinnamon oil shows promise as an environmentally friendly pesticide, killing mosquito larvae more effectively than DEET.
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.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is used as a mosquito repellent & is highly recommended by Art Tucker, research professor at Delaware State. It's easy to grow from seeds and contains the mosquito repellents: citronellal, geraniol and geranial. You can rub its leaves on yourself & clothing to keep mosquitoes away.
http://www.herbsandnaturalremedies.com/herbal-insect-repellent.htm
Cedar chips are helpful. Spread on pathways. Plant mint or Lemon Balm (from the mint family) around the area where you play basketball.
Good luck! I hope you get rid of those mosquitoes.
2007-09-29 06:30:02 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a few citronella plants, as they help repel mosquitoes. Then buy bug zappers for each of your neighbors, as they attract and kill mosquitoes.
The result will be that your yard is repelling them, while your neighbors' yards are attracting and killing them. In short time you'll be bug-free!
2007-09-29 13:10:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're probably better off getting a repellent, with "Deet" (never put UNDER clothing), or you can try Citronella candles around (safely out of your way!) the area you play. Sprays are too harmful to any other wildlife around for that purpose. Unless you're by a creek or pond, do you have any standing water around they may be breeding in--like tires, garbage cans, etc.???
2007-09-29 13:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by Connie B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Or tho makes a product called yard guard that you hook to your hose and spray grass and shrubs and it will eliminate your mosquito problem.I have used it for three years.
2007-09-29 13:30:59 · answer #4 · answered by snowman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check for standing water and eliminate it. Mow your lawn shorter and trim bushes. Purchase a home fogger, or repellent with DEET.
2007-09-29 13:19:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋