This guide will tell you how to get rid of mosquitoes, what methods are the most trusted and advised by scientists. What are the TOP-7 best products and how should you apply them? A beneficial detailed plan will help you develop an effective mosquito-control strategy. Learn why you should first kill eggs of these bloodsuckers and what methods of insecticide application are there. How to kill mosquitoes by trapping and what types of devices are available? Below, you will find comprehensive answers to these and other questions, including those asked in an F.A.Q section.
What I hate about mosquitoes is that they seem to be devoted to the idea of monopolizing human space. These bloodsuckers are always next to me — in the house, yard or when I go on hiking. People say that is not a big surprise since I live close to a forested area. But why do I have to put up with this? These bloodsuckers turned my outdoor activities into “public whipping” as all my face and hands got covered with their bites. I could not fall asleep at night because of these guys buzzing around me and waiting for the moment to pierce my skin with their mouthparts. They ruined my outdoor parties in the backyard as these belligerent insects attacked my guests, destroying the joys of barbecues.
“Enough is enough!” I said and made a decision to go to war with mosquitoes. I strengthened my positions both indoors and outdoors, ensured my personal protection and unleashed a large-scale counter-offensive against the bloodsuckers. And guess what? I have created a mosquito-free space. It took me much time and efforts but now I see it was worth it. In this guide, I am going to share with you all I have learned about these pests and how to kill mosquitoes.
The 6-Step Plan On How To Kill Mosquitoes
#1. Take preventive measures, such as installing screens on windows and doorways, cutting tall grass and trimming shrubs. To avoid mosquito bites, do not go outside at dusk and dawn, and wear long-sleeved shirts. Remove containers that can hold standing water and drain a swimming pool regularly and unclog gutters.
#2. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Look for standing water and moist shady spaces, this is where they lay eggs and where the larvae mature. You may either empty the containers or kill yet undeveloped insects right there. For this purpose, use Bti bacteria or insect growth regulators, like methoprene.
#3. Spray insecticides that have a lasting residue, like cypermethrin and bifenthrin. Do it in the daytime since your task is to get on to the pests where they are resting and hiding. Focus on beneath shrubs, flowered bed, and other shady places with dense vegetation.
#4. Apply broadcast treatment to target flying insects. The best tool for that is fogger while the recommended ingredients are natural pyrethrins and resmethrin. Unlike the treatment described above, this one should be implemented at dusk or at dawn when these bloodsuckers are active.
#5. Trapping. Even after such a crackdown, you will not get rid of mosquitoes entirely. This is where traps will be beneficial. They utilize various attractants to lure insect in their containers, with water, heat, and carbon dioxide being the most common ones.
#6. Keep mosquitoes away. What you should understand is that it is generally impossible to eradicate mosquitoes completely. That is why you should have repellents in your arsenal. They can be applied to your skin and clothes or can be designed to protect the area where you are active.
Where Mosquitoes Breed And What Attracts Them
To begin with, let us see where these guys come from and what are their common breeding sites. In fact, preventive measures are considered to be the most effective ones in mosquito control. It is much easier to create an unfavorable environment for them than spend lots of money and take pains to eliminate the infestation. Sometimes, you just cannot eradicate mosquitoes fully because of marshlands or other mosquito-friendly habitat located nearby. But you can make your backyard not attractive to them.
First and foremost, these pests are attracted to areas covered with dense vegetation. This is where the insects hide during the day. Shrubbery and tall grass provide them with shady spots to rest in, avoiding sunlight and enjoying humidity. So the first thing you should do is to keep your yard mowed and bushes trimmed. Be sure you regularly remove fallen leaves and organic debris. In other words, your yard should be well-maintained.
The second critical moment you should take into consideration is the availability of standing water that is a perfect mosquito breeding site even one ounce of standing water can support a population of larvae. As UCCE advisor Mr. Sutherland points out, one ounce of standing water can be enough for reproduction of an entire population.
Therefore, make sure all containers with water located outside the house are emptied, no matter how small they are. You might be surprised, but even a bottle cap can serve as a breeding site for the bloodsuckers, so you should not be misled by the container’s size. Another common mistake is what people consider to be standing water. It is not something you forgot to empty last summer. In fact, it takes water 3-4 days to become a suitable breeding site for mosquitoes, says Mr. Janousek, Nebraska-Lincoln University.
Keep in mind that larvae tend to live in shallow water, with the depth not exceeding 24 inches. So if for some reasons you cannot do without a container with water outdoors, make sure it is 2 feet and deeper. A swimming pool should have steep vertical walls.
What else can be done to eliminate standing water? Scientists from Iowa State University mention the following steps:
- Make drainage holes in barrels, old tires or whatever can hold water.
- Empty your swimming pool regularly, do not leave it filled with water overnight.
- Regularly change the water in birdbaths, if any.
- Inspect the trunks of trees located nearby. If there are holes, fill them with sand.
- Make sure your roof gutters are not clogged and cleaned.
- Get rid of all kind of trash outside the house as it can hold water as well.
How To Kill Mosquito Larvae In Standing Water
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and this is the habitat where their larvae develop. It is much easier to eradicate these insects by killing their young that target grown-up flying insects. At early stages of their development, they congregate in confined spaces such as a container with standing water where they can be detected effortlessly and can be killed en masse. Secondly, eggs and larvae are more vulnerable and you can use a variety of insecticides including natural ones.
Identifying Mosquito Eggs And Larvae
Mosquito eggs are too small to be distinguished without magnification. They are narrow and thin, just 1/50 inch long. Within the first hours of their existence, eggs have the white color which then gradually turns into the darker one. So the next day after being laid, the eggs are black. They may hatch as soon as in a day or two but for some species, the incubation period may last up for 10 days. This is conditioned by temperatures or water movement, with some floodwater species being able to hatch not until the next year.
The larvae develop in the water as well, feeding on organic material found there. They typically have a breathing tube so they have to float to the surface as they need oxygen. In less than a week, the larva molts into the pupa, still remaining in the water. The pupa has a different appearance, resembling a comma. Within a few days, it develops into an adult mosquito.
What Types of Mosquito Larva Killers Are There?
The first option is using larvicides which are insecticides targeting larvae. They include poisons, growth regulators, and biological control agents. Before applying this kind of treatment, first, consult your local pest management department to make sure they are approved for use. Read the label directions and follow them.
But whatever larvicide you purchased, be sure it does not get into moving water. Anyway, larvicides are less toxic than insecticides targeting adults insects, which is due to the fact that they are applied to water and, therefore, pose a greater risk to the environment. Researchers from Iowa State University refer to methoprene as the most suitable ingredient for treating water-holding objects.
The products formulated as liquid should be applied directly to water with the help of a sprayer. Pellets and granular solutions are placed in the water as well and are believed to be more convenient in use.
According to the EPA, solutions for larva control can be divided into 4 groups: bacterial insecticides, insect growth regulators, organophosphate insecticides and other materials, such as mineral oils.
Bacterial insecticides
These are bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs). These bacteria do not pose any risk to humans and the environment but are useful in that they release toxins affecting insects. After being exposed to them, larvae cannot consume food and die of starvation.
Bti is approved to be sprayed over ponds, streams and standing water. This solution has been applied against mosquitoes for decades and has proved to be successful as insects do not become resistant to the bacteria. Bs mostly come in the form of powders or granules, however, they can be mixed with water and sprayed. This solution has a longer-term effect, up to a month, and this is why you should not expect immediate results.
Let’s start with Mosquito Dunks. For some $20 you get two packs with 6 dunks in each. Once put in the breeding site, the bacteria start working in 24 hours and will be killing larvae throughout the month. So this natural organic Bti-based product has a lasting impact, which is an obvious advantage. Also, it is cost-efficient as one drunk will be enough for a 30-gallon barrel. If you have detected larvae in a pond with plants, feel free to use these dunks as they safe not only for humans and fish but vegetation as well.
As for the downsides, some buyers dislike the fact that when wet the dunks mar the appearance of a swimming pool filled with clear water. Secondly, they can attract unwanted visitors. And here is one tip for you: regularly check that the item is in place as some curious animals like raccoons can simply steal it.
If you do not want to place bulky items in plain view, try these Mosquito Bits containing the same Bti but coated in tiny bits. Unlike the previous larvicide, this solution does not last for a long period of time, but has another advantage — it kills larvae quickly. In fact, the best option is first to use bits to knock larvae down quickly and then put dunks to ensure longer protection.
Sprinkle the bits from this 30-oz package over standing water in the ratio of one teaspoon per 25 square. Or just take a handful and spread it in the infested area. Re-apply the treatment in a week or two. The bits are more convenient in that they can also be placed on soil that stays wet after rains and is a potential breeding site for mosquitoes as well.
DT Mosquito Larvicide comes in tablets and is more powerful than the previous ones as it is capable to kill the larvae throughout two months. The spinosad-based solution has been widely used by public health officials in mosquito control. Its active ingredient is derived from natural bacteria and is approved for application in the areas with fish and plants.
One pack contains 12 tablets, which are intended for about fifty gallons of water. Each tablet is 1 centimeter in diameter and weighs about one and a half grams. Their small size is a strong point of this product as they remain almost unnoticed in the pool. In addition, unlike the dunks, these tablets do not float on the surface but instead, submerge to the bottom and stay there.
Insect Growth Regulators
IGRs are chemicals that do not allow the larvae to mature and develop into adult mosquitoes. Although some ingredients can be toxic to a certain extend, they are generally not believed to be harmful. Insect growth regulators, such as s-hydroprene, s-kinoprene, methoprene, and s-methoprene, work by blocking the normal function of the insect hormone responsible for maturation. The first two ingredients are the safest ones and are recommended by the EPA to be applied indoors. But methoprene has a wider application and suggested for treating mosquitoes.
You may try Altosid Pro-G Insect Growth Regulator in granules with the active ingredient methoprene (1.5%). Apply it any water reservoir serving as a breeding site for mosquitoes. In a sense, this is the product of a wide use as you can place it not only in the water but in any place suspected of being a breeding ground, such as beneath shrubs. You will see the result within 2 days, but first of all, you will not see the new generation appear in your yard.
Organophosphate Insecticides
This type of insecticides functions by disrupting the insect’s nervous system and is also applied to standing water where mosquitoes breed. The only organophosphate intended for using against larvae is temephos, however, its use is restricted and can be applied by professionals only. So I mention this solution just to make you aware of its existence or in case you will want to hire a pest control company.
Oils and Films
Mineral oils and monomolecular films kill larvae physically be making them drown. Oils and films create a layer on the water surface so that neither larvae nor pupae can come to the surface and get oxygen. This solution is more hazardous to human health and the environment.
Killing Mosquitoes: What Actually Works
Killing adult mosquitoes is something more labor-consuming but there just no way around it. And it is not just that after killing larvae you still have to deal with the already grown up insects. Quite often mosquitoes migrate from a neighboring area and if this is a marshland of forested area, you have no possibility to eliminate their breeding site. So what should your arsenal include to combat flying bloodsuckers?
- Insecticides targeting adult insects are applied to plants, beneath shrubbery and other areas where mosquitoes are found. Their effect varies and may last for a short or long period of time. These solutions are generally more toxic than larvicides but if you follow the label directions, no damage will be caused either to the environment or your health. In addition, as experts from New Jersey University note, the level of toxicity can be reduced if you choose an insecticide depending on the region where it is going to be applied. This is because these chemicals can become more or less toxic under different temperature conditions. So malathion toxicity increases at higher temperatures while pyrethroids such as resmethrin turn more toxic at lower temperatures.
- Trapping is a method that should be used after insecticidal treatment or if do not have too many pests in the area. Traps kill the insects in a simple way — once inside the device, the insect cannot get out of there and dies of dehydration. So the main trick here is to lure them inside and product designers placed their bets on mosquito biology. Namely, they use carbon dioxide mimicking human breathing, heat mimicking the presence of mammals and water which is nothing short of their breeding site.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes In The Backyard
As explained by scientists with Iowa State University, your arsenal includes ready-to-use sprays, foggers, and hose-end applicators. While sprays and aerosols allow for more precise application, foggers and hose-end applicators cover larger areas. To lower the adult mosquito population, choose pyrethroid-based insecticides. You can apply them in two ways — either to treat large areas with resmethrin and pyrethrins, killing these pests at wholesale but within a short period of time, or apply bifenthrin and cypermethrin that have a more lasting impact.
Whereas the former method targets the insects that are flying at the moment of application, the latter is meant to treat the spots where they rest during daylight. The time of the day when these insecticides should be sprayed varies as well. So the short-term method is effective in the at dusk when mosquitoes are most active while the long-term one should be implemented in the daytime when they hide in shrubbery and plants you are going to treat. It is worth noting that spraying indiscriminately large areas has more weak points. Apart from the fact that the effect lasts at most several hours, this method poses a risk to beneficial insects which are must-have living beings in the garden ecosystem.
Experts from Texas A&M Extension provide a number of suggestions on treating a backyard. As for sprays, choose solutions that stay on surfaces longer and have the effect lasting up to a month. According to them, the best products are those targeting mosquito resting sites located in the shrubbery, lawn edges, tall plants, and grass, as well as on the sides of a house and around doors. The experts have also reminded about the effectiveness of professional pest control companies that will be more costly but use long-lasting chemicals and better treat dense vegetation.
Suspend SC Contact Insecticide is a good example of a product a the long-term effect, which is due to concentrated crystals that remain on the surface after application. At the same time, it is odorless and can be used indoors as well as outdoors and is even approved for application at food production facilities. The basic active ingredient is deltamethrin that belongs to the pyrethroid family. It kills insects by direct contact or when ingested and works by disrupting the normal function of the insect’s nervous system.
A distinctive property of the product is that it is effective at lower concentrations than other compounds from the pyrethroid family. This was made possible because the solution is a pure isomer and 100-percent active. So it kills much more insects in comparison with other similar products. The product is recommended for perimeter applications, which means creating a sort of a barrier around your house.
Pros And Cons of Fogging
Another option is using foggers that have a short-term effect but can cover a large area at a time. The most powerful ones are thermal foggers powered by propane or the ones operating on electricity. They release a thick fog consisting of tiny particles that gradually fall on the ground, killing flying insects. Since foggers can create a mosquito-free space just for 3-4 hours, these devices are more effective when applied just before an outdoor event.
You may try aerosol foggers that come in cans and have an advantage of being portable and easy to handle. Unlike thermal foggers, you can direct them wherever you need and target the precise spot. Nevertheless, aerosols are less potent and not cost-efficient as they empty quickly enough. Since the very idea of fogging is covering a large space, you will have to buy a number of them to meet your demands. On top of that, foggers, in general, are harmful to beneficial insects including bees and butterflies. That is why they are not suggested to be applied around vegetation where these species of insects are usually noticed.
You may use this fogging insecticide of a trusted brand that is compatible with various thermal foggers including Burgess, Repel, and Cutter. It is chosen by professionals because during fogging, the liquid turns into particles that are 7 times smaller than mist. Another reason for being the choice for a pro is the product’s ability to penetrate deep into dense vegetation.
A 32-oz canister is easy to use because there is no need for mixing it with water and will not have to bother with right proportions. One quart will be sufficient for half an acre. It will take you just ten minutes to treat as much as 5,000 square feet of shrubbery, grass, and foliage. What I particularly like about this product is that though being a short-term solution it lasts up to six hours which is actually half a day. Enough for having a problem-free party in the yard.
What are the precautionary measures?
Whatever insecticide you purchase, it will have a certain level of toxicity. To avoid undesirable consequences, you should take several steps specified by the US Pesticide Center.
- Read the label and follow its directions. These are not just words and using pesticides not in accordance with the label is illegal in the US. The product description will tell you about its active ingredients and how toxic it is. If the item is marked with CAUTION, this means low toxicity. The word WARNING stands for the moderate level of toxicity while DANGER highlights that the product is highly toxic.
- Do not overuse insecticides. Spraying more of the solution will not result in a greater number of killed pests. It is the right choice of the device and timing that matter. For example, fogging is effective even with small amounts of insecticides thanks to its technique allowing to spread the droplets evenly.
- During the yard treatment, keep your family members and pets indoors until the solution dries. In addition, you should close all the windows and turn off air conditioners.
- Remove all toys, pet food, drink water and eatable items. Cover birdbaths and the swimming pool, if the size allows.
How Do Mosquito Traps Work
These devices use carbon dioxide, heat, and water to lure the insects. Most importantly, the above-mentioned attractants target the females which, unlike the males, are bloodsuckers and are aggressive towards humans. Carbon dioxide and heat mimic human activity while water is a necessary condition for mosquito survival and their breeding site. Many traps utilize the LED light as it helps the insects to navigate. In addition, such additional lures as Octenol optimize the trap’s main attractant. The latter is particularly popular with electronic bug zappers. Specialists from Nebraska-Lincoln University stress that using various attractants at a time enhance the product’s effectiveness. “The more attractants used, the better the population reduction,” they say.
Once in the trap, the insect gets stuck in its container, where it is killed either by electrocuting or through dehydration. These devices can be powered by propane or electricity. As for the former, propane acts both as an attractant and fuel. Below, I will describe the types of mosquito traps, their strong and weak points. But I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this method alone is not a way to significantly reduce the number of these pests in the area. Trapping is suggested by specialists as a supplementary measure, following insecticidal treatment, so that you could kill the remaining survivors. It is also recommended in the cases where there are no so many bloodsuckers.
What Mosquito Trap Types Are There?
They differ in the ways they attract insects but, as I said above, some devices use a combination of attractants.
CO2 Traps emit carbon dioxide intended to mislead the bloodsuckers as it resembles human breathing. The gas comes from a balloon and when released is not hazardous to people. This option is largely consumer-grade but does not seem to be durable. Still, it is used by professionals, in particular, specialists with the Center for Disease Control to sample species. This suggests that the method is trusted and its efficacy is supported by scientific evidence.
Heat Traps. Mosquitoes are able to perceive the warmth of the human body using their antennae. These body parts become especially sensitive in a moist environment. This is why some heat traps come with water vapors as an additional attractant. They have an advantage of being safe for installing indoors, however, they are not designed for small-size houses. Another strong point is a large coverage area reaching up to 2 acres. That said, such devices are very pricy, costing over $1,000.
The effect of Water Traps is based on water vapors. When mosquitoes detect water, they head in its direction as they need it for survival and breeding. This device is the best bet for areas around schools, hospitals or inside the house and other places where neither chemicals nor gasses are welcome. So if you are obsessed with safety, opt for this type. The main component there is a tray with water — a simple and effective solution that will not cost you much!
Propane-powered traps are more expensive but well-proven. They release carbon dioxide, moisture and can be baited with Octenol. The fan sucks an insect which cannot get out from the trap and dies of dehydration. The strong point of this type is the possibility to use various attractants at once, something that makes the device more effective.
Apart from that, they are cordless so you can place them in any place. Except for one thing — propane traps are not designed for the indoor use. And when activated outdoors, they must be located as far as fifteen feet away from the house. Specialists at the University of Florida warn that there is a risk of gas leakage in the propane regulator, therefore, check it regularly and do not turn on near a fire or any source of ignition.
Bug zappers are electronic devices attracting, capturing and killing insects in an electrical grid. Well, actually, this is the least effective method in the list as they predominantly catch beneficial insects while mosquitoes ones account for less than 1%. But it is worth trying because it is an absolutely safe and clean option. What is more, zappers are good for indoor use where there are typically not so many flying pests and weather conditions cannot decrease the effect of the device.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Using Repellents: Are They Effective For Yard Treatment?
When it comes to chemical insecticides, most of them have a dual effect. Not only do they kill insects on contact, but they also ward off a large quantity of other. Repellents are particularly helpful when a short-term relief is needed, for example, to get rid of mosquitoes before an outdoor event.
Fogging insecticides such as resmethrin and pyrethrins allows to cover large areas, warding off the pests. Treat shrubs, foliage and shady spots in the yard. There are portable foggers so that you can easily walk around the yard, applying insecticides. However, the released fog with dissipate in 5-6 hours, that is why you may try a more powerful alternative — creating insecticidal barriers. For this purpose, use a hose-end sprayer to apply longer-lasting insecticides — cyfluthrin or bifenthrin. They get deeper into the foliage and can have a repelling effect up to four weeks. But take care to do that at dusk in order to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Electronic mosquito repellers: Explaining the technologies behind
Another way to ward off the bloodsuckers is using electronic devices. Although their efficacy has not been scientifically proven yet, these devices have already gained popularity due to their safety. Developers claim that high-frequency sound is capable of repelling mosquitoes but numerous studies pursued by researchers have not provided enough evidence for that.
The basic point here is that ultrasonic repellers mimic the sound of a flying male mosquito. Some of the models come as bracelets while others are designed to be connected to a socket. The device is supposed to work because it is known that mated females stay away from further contacts with males. And it is mated females that are hungry for blood as they need protein for eggs to develop. By putting these two facts together, the manufacturers launched production of these devices. Another fact substantiating their effectiveness is that ultrasound is emitted by mosquito predators such as bats and dragonflies and, hence, should be avoided by them.
There are models of a combined action — these are electronic devices releasing insecticides. They are not so safe as ultrasonic ones but have a more tangible repelling effect.
This Portable Mosquito Repeller will not cost you much, about $30, and is worth buying as it will spare you spraying all around. As it follows from the label, the product will protect 15 square feet of the area where it is mounted. You will not have to spend your time on preparation and application, as it is the case with foggers, just turn on and the unit will start releasing a repellent.
Being portable, the device can come in handy on a trip or when camping. It is equipped with a fuel cartridge that heats the insecticide, allethrin. The cartridge will last for about half a day of uninterrupted operation, with the pack of repellents (3 mats) lasting for the same length of time. For consumer convenience, there is a holster that can be purchased separately.
Benefits of applying natural mosquito repellents
In fact, the reason for applying repellents instead of mosquito killers is not humane treatment of insects but rather the unwillingness of a homeowner to use harsh chemicals. Repellents, be definition, do not have to produce a knockdown effect and their action can be limited to creating an unfavorable environment for the pests. That is why it is worth trying natural solutions to get rid of mosquitoes for a period of time. These are geraniol and citronella-based candles and sticks, with the former having a stronger effect according to scientific studies.
Specialists at the University of Illinois note that such herbs as garlic, cedarwood, lemongrass, eucalyptus, geranium and some other do have a repelling effect on mosquitoes but they need to be reapplied more often than chemicals. Another limitation is that natural solutions can protect only a small area of about a meter and are ineffective under windy weather conditions. On top of that, some people can be allergic to essential oils while most cats can suffer a bad allergic reaction to such ingredients. But we can agree that the benefit of repelling the pests naturally overrides all the disadvantages.
Ultimately, there is the most eco-friendly solution — to plant herbs, the very presence of which is supposed to ward off mosquitoes. Experts from New Mexico State University highlight eucalyptus and lavender as the most powerful ones. Catnip and basil will be helpful as well. The former is quite expensive to be sprayed but is affordable to be set as a plant.
What Is The Best Personal Mosquito Protection?
There are proven solutions ensuring effective protection from mosquitoes. You should use them when outdoors only, in particular, while camping, hiking or entering any wooded area or wetlands. These are the products containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of lemon-eucalyptus, with the latter being a safer and environmentally friendly option as this ingredient is derived from natural plants.
They should be applied directly to the skin in the way and amounts specified by the label directions. The most common recommendations include putting on sunscreen before application and preventing your pets from coming into contact with DEET-based products. Nor should you apply these solutions under your clothes as only exposed skin should be treated with them.
An expert from Montana State University name DEET and permethrin as the most effective solutions ensuring personal protection. This compound works by confusing mosquitoes so that they fail to identify the person they want to bite. Still, experts at the University of California point to the risk of using DEET which can dissolve car paint and damage plastic surfaces. On top of that, it is capable of penetrating the skin, something that can result in health issues and its effect has not been fully studied. In this regard, applying solutions based on essential oils would be preferable. Although having a strong smell, they are less potent and have to be applied more often to produce the desired effect.
Permethrin is designed to be applied to clothes and other fabrics but must not be sprayed directed to the skin. This is the longer-lasting solution of personal protection, which effect can remain up to half a months. On top of that, this compound can resist more than twenty washings. While not killing an insect, the ingredient makes it dislike the taste upon contact, deterring the bloodsucker.
Comparative Chart Of Mosquito-Control Products
| Product | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Dunks by Summit | Natural, based on Bti bacteria. Long-lasting solution that starts working in 24 hours. Low-end product. Effectiveness: 10 |
| Bits by Summit | Smaller in size and less visible in the water. Based on Bti bacteria. Kills larvae quickly but has a short-term effect. One handful is enough for 30 galloons of water. |
| Clarke-Natular | Based on spinosad. More powerful and longer-lasting — up to 2 months. Safe for plants and fish. 12 tablets in the pack are enough for fifty gallons of water. |
| Zoecon | IGR based on methoprene (1.5%). Can be applied not only to water but to the soil as well. First visible results within 2 days. |
| Suspend SC | Very powerful insecticide for adult insects.Its active ingredient is deltamethrin, the pyrethroid family. Kills on contact or when ingested. |
| Black Flag | Fogging insecticide used by professionals. Can penetrate deep into dense vegetation. Ready-to-use. One quart treats half an acre. 5,000 square feet can be treated for just ten minutes. |
| Thermacell | Device releasing allethrin insecticide. Protects an area of 15 square feet. Does the whole job for you. Portable and recommended for camping. Cartridge and repellent mats last for twelve hours. |
F.A.Q. On How To Kill Mosquitoes
How to get rid of mosquitoes inside the house
You ask the right question as not all solutions can be used indoors. The best option is using an ultraviolet bug zapper or a water trap. They do not produce any harmful chemicals nor do they operate on gas that can be potentially dangerous. You can install a zapper in your bedroom so that bloodsuckers get trapped instead of landing on your body. Zappers and traps are good at controlling small quantities of these pests and I do not think your house is swarming with mosquitoes…
How to get rid of them when camping?
To get maximum protection, apply DEET-based solution to your skin and treat your clothes with permethrin. Take with you Thermacell device to ward these pests off from the campground.
Will mothballs keep them away?
There is no scientific data confirming this statement. Moreover, mothballs are not safe for humans. Their chemicals turn into gases and when breathing them in, you become exposed to them.
How do I keep mosquitoes away from my outdoor party?
Foggers will be perfect for that. These devices can kill more insects at a time and cover a large area. The residue after this treatment lasts just for six or so hours but, frankly, this is enough time for an average party.
How to stop mosquito bites from itching?
First, do not scratch them. Then, place crushed ice on the spot but just for a few minutes, otherwise, the skin might be damaged. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water and spread the solution over the bite. Let it sit for ten minutes.
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