What’s everyone doing about mosquitoes?
Posted by ootsyputsy@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 26 comments
First full summer here in Dallas. Mosquitoes are eating me alive and I want to wage a successful war. I do have pets so I don’t want to put them in danger but looking for recommendations on how to annihilate these evil monsters.
SpecificReindeer9559@reddit
A fan is really helpful
peachtreeparadise@reddit
Mosquito BITS & mosquito dunks.
D3rpyhoo7s@reddit
Apartment dweller ere, I have a indoor bug zapper by the front door that catches unwanted visitors with a satisfying zap.
Snoo10428@reddit
We have our yard sprayed twice a month by Mosquito Shield. We have used them for a few years now and definitely see a difference.
chilly_standpoint@reddit
put mosquito dunks in a bucket in the furthest corner of your yard (if that’s what you’re talking about). otherwise, use bug spray, citronella, tiki torches. please don’t get your yard sprayed/treated, it kills everything, not just mosquitos. please don’t kill our beneficial pollinators
Notmugsy13@reddit
Thanks for bringing up the pollinators. I hate that people spray their yards with mosquito spray. Someone in my neighborhood just sprayed and it killed a lot of the bees and butterflies near me. It sucks, especially when you plant early to cultivate a native garden for them.
Embarrassed-Wolf-188@reddit
those mosquito dunks work pretty well, just toss a few in any standing water you've got around the place. i've been using a fan on my patio too since mosquitoes are terrible flyers and can't handle even a mild breeze - way more effective than i expected and the pets don't care
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
Yes! I run a high velocity fan on my patio when I’m grilling. Keeps the flies and mosquitoes away.
Version_Popular@reddit
No sht... definitely trying dunks!!
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
Always pour out any standing water if you can. Check around your yard after storms and after running the sprinklers. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Standing water can start growing mosquito larvae in about 24 hours. Water pools around hose reels, plant saucers, stacks of unused pots, grills, bird baths have to be changed daily if you can. Keep your gutter clean and if you have a pool, check the filters every week. Mosquito larvae look like tiny little red worms, they’re called blood worms. 🪱 They’ll swim and squiggle around, it can make the water look like it’s moving. Dried blood worms are also sold in pet stores as fish treats. Bettas love them, but don’t feed a betta blood worms from a yard, they carry diseases.
I much prefer picaridin as a mosquito repellent over DEET. DEET irritates my airways, plus picaridin comes in a lotion or a spray. I still got lyme disease from a tick while using DEET, because it’s hard to get good coverage. Same with mosquitoes, the ones in Texas don’t seem to be very bothered by it. The lotion is extremely effective when you will be outside and sweating, like doing yardwork, hiking, or camping. The common brand I see is Sawyer, it’s sold with camping supplies. Off also makes a picaridin spray. That’s different than permethrin, which is a pesticide and a repellent. You treat tents and outdoor gear like hiking boots and backpacks with that. Permethrin is toxic to pets, especially cats, until it’s dried. But I still wouldn’t even trust it dried around cats. They lack the stuff necessary to break it down in their digestive tracts. Permethrin’s not meant to be applied directly to your skin, but your equipment and clothing. It can remain on clothing through a few washes and after being exposed to UV.
Zulkhan@reddit
Blood worms are not the same as mosquito larva. They are a totally different species that doesn't bite humans. When you find them in your filter in a pond it's a good sign and free fish food.
vacation_bacon@reddit
God if only I could remember to apply OFF! before I walk outside and get eaten alive.
Spock_Nipples@reddit
I'm going scorched-earth on the little fuckers this year.
Along with actively trying to find and eliminate any not-intentional standing water within 25 meters of the house, I've deployed 3 Biogents Mosquitaire co2/scent forced-air traps around the house to catch the ones looking to feed, 2 Biogents BG-GAT traps to catch the ones that have fed and are looking for a place to lay eggs, as well as an assortment of tempting egg-laying environments spiked with mosquito dunks to kill larvae. Hitting it from all angles.
It has been 12 days now and I'm seeing a notable reduction.
It's expensive, but I'm not letting up this year. I will have my yard back you little bloodsucking shits.
vacation_bacon@reddit
Giving Dale Gribble and I love it.
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
My neighbor’s house is vacant, and they have a pool. My backyard is hell on earth right now. 🥲 I’m going to try these dunks, maybe throw a few over the fence into their pool.
AppropriateSite9077@reddit
Mosquito dunks to keep the local population down, and citronella patches to stick on your clothes when you're outside. There are several brands of them, and they're pretty effective in my experience.
ShelbyDriver@reddit
All the other stuff plus fans. They can't fly threw a strong wind, so a fan on you will protect you. And bonus, you'll be cooler!
wh00ps33@reddit
Sprayed the yard with bifen I/T
Aggressive_Deer_7072@reddit
Dallas mosquitoes are built different 😭
biggest thing honestly is removing standing water anywhere nearby. after that fans + citronella + pet safe yard spray helps a lot
Ragnocello@reddit
https://media.tenor.com/xuyuKNpAyu8AAAAe/samwise-gamgee-frodo.png
xanoran84@reddit
Seconding the mosquito dunk bait bucket someone else mentioned for your own yard. In addition to the dunk, you just need some dry leaves/grass clippings, a couple inches of water, and a stick long enough that any other critters that fall in can climb out.
Also for me as long as I'm walking I don't get bitten, so I try not to linger anywhere too long if I'm out and about. If I'm doing yard work, I cover up with long pants and sleeves (keeps the sun off as well). If I'm chillin on a patio somewhere though, bug spray.
Teiyoh@reddit
I just put a screen over mine instead of a stick
wantahippo4christmas@reddit
This. Esp if you have pets that might try to drink it.
smokybbq90@reddit
DEET
TheExaspera@reddit
Mosquitos love me. I use Deepwoods OFF as nothing else works. I call it my “Summer Perfume.”
hodor137@reddit
Staying inside. The sun causes cancer anyway.