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[Lee Haslup <biglee AT haslups.com>]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the UV bug zappers.  They are 
extremely ineffective for control of biting insects.  In fact, some 
studies have suggested that they attract more insects than they dispose 
of so you have *more* bugs in your yard it you have a bug zapper.  
Still, there is something satisfying about the flash, the sizzling noise 
and the slight aroma of charred flesh.  You still get bitten but you 
also get *revenge*.

Of the solutions that were mentioned, the propane-burning mosquito traps 
are probably the most effective.  Propane burns to warm CO2 and water 
vapor which (especially when mixed with a bit of octenol) resembles the 
exhalations of a large and bitable animal.  By specifically attracting 
biting insects the traps catch mostly mosquitoes and biting flies and 
don't tend to fill up with moths and beetles.  By catching large numbers 
of female biting insects before they lay any eggs a well positioned trap 
can put a real dent in the local population without the need to go 
chemical on the neighborhood.

We have quite a large fish/frog pond in our back yard and our experience 
is that by careful management you can break even on your pond, 
mosquito-wise.  We keep our pond stocked with goldfish.  There is no 
need to worry about the frogs because  Pasteur was wrong -- if there is 
a pond frogs *will* spontaneously generate in it.  We still have 
mosquitoes but they don't come from the pond.

Other options:
1) buy cakes of mosquito-killing bacteria at your garden center.  Put 
them in any outdoor liquid that does not contain ice cubes.
2) mosquitoes can't bite through flannel: wear winter clothing at all 
times in the back yard.
3) cover yourself with HydroCortisone cream before you go out.  You'll 
get bitten but it will itch less.
4) pave your back yard and lay a culvert for the creek.
5) put mannequins on your back porch so your neighbors will think you 
don't have mosquitoes.

BigLee









Ilan Volow wrote:

> On Jul 1, 2004, at 2:54 AM, Tanner Lovelace wrote:
>
> > matusiak said the following on 6/30/04 6:33 PM:
> >
> > > Can anyone recommend an effective mosquito treatment for ~1/4 acre 
> > > near a creek?
> > > So far, those I've received include:
> > > 1. Always have citronella burning.
> > > 2. Put goldfish in nearby creek (to eat larva).
> > > 3. Napalm the region.
> > > I'm looking for something that doesn't always have to be burning and 
> > > that, hopefully, will have minor impact on the local ecology.  
> > > Someone else mentioned a device that burns gas to create heat, which 
> > > attracts the mosquitos and then they are sucked in and, I guess, 
> > > cremated.
> > > Thanks for any suggestions!
> > > dave m.
> >
> >
> > You could try using dry ice.  Apparently, mosquitoes are attracted to
> > the CO2 they produce so if you put a block of dry ice in the far corner
> > of your yard the mosquitoes will go there instead of where the people 
> > are.
>
> They are also attracted to sweat socks worn for several days and 
> limburger cheese. If you want to lure both mosquitos and friends away 
> from your property, spreading those items around your yard might be a 
> workable solution.
>
> http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb00/mosq0200.htm
>
> --
> Ilan Volow
> Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!
>
> ---
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