Mosquito Control

[kabinenroller]

Now that the weather is becoming warmer it would be nice to open the overhead doors on my shop periodically, the biggest problem is bugs. Sometimes the mosquito’s are real bad and the last thing I want is for them it join me in the shop. Have any of you had any experience with this product : https://offer.getfuzebug.com/offer/...b1=8880&sub2=4be156572348493da4af34da71ae31b0
Or is it just another gimmick? I have a number of ceiling fans which help with the problem but with the lights on in the shop those pesky critters like to swarm to them.
I’m open to suggestions.
Thank You!

 

[PWilks]

I’m personally a fan of spraying my lawn with the same stuff lawncare companies charge you an arm and a leg for. Amazon link below. I was paying TruGreen $50+ dollars to come out and spray my lawn with this stuff (they have to declare the active ingredient by law I’m fairly sure), and by some simple math, it was costing them less than a dollar in product.

I figure by doing it myself I could make it more potent and do it for a fraction of the cost as often as I see fit.

All of the neighbors noticed the difference on my property and a lot of them spray it too.

there’s other versions but the active ingredient is what’s important.

best of luck.


Control Solutions Bifen IT - Quart Insecticide Concentrates by Control Solutions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D6MLTBW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

edit: I’m not affiliated with these people in anyway, but I buy it from here. A gallon of this stuff will last many many years (I typically use like a cap full or tablespoon per a 3/4 full of water pump sprayer from Home Depot)

Bifen IT

Bifen IT

www.domyown.com

 

[mike93lx]

You really need to spray trees and bushes, not the lawn. The mosquitos sit on the underside of leaves and use them for moisture if they don't have standing water.

We'e been using services for years (moaquito squad and now mosquito Ranger) and it has worked very well. Currently, they are using something garlic based with a backpack blower, applied every 3 weeks.

 

[Showkey]

Mesquito squad tried the organic none poison version last year..........it was an epic fail. They had to retreat several 100 properties in our area.

They just treated this week with:
Altosid Pro-G IGR (EPA Reg. No. 2724-448) 1/2 tsp per 25 sq ft, Bifen I/T (EPA Reg. No. 53883118) .9 oz/gal, Fendona CS (EPA Reg. No. 499570) 1.25 oz/gal

It about $300-500 per year for seasonal treatment every 3 weeks.........depending on size covered.
Perimeter spray is trees, building, standing water treatment, lawn ground to 30’ in the air.
Treating breeding areas is a large part of controlling the hatch.

DIY a power sprayer/mister/fogger and chemicals are available in most areas .........kit is $1000.
Some states restrict the professional chemical sales to DIY. Some restrict mail order shipping as well.
Mesquito Squad was the first in our area about 4-5 years back.......there are 4-5 other competing companies now.
They are all booked solid in out area.

 

[yeldogt]

My back neighbor at the my house in the burbs had the Squad for quite a few years ... I dismissed it. I used the hose spray stuff .... he had the squad until the service dropped off and the price went up. They started saying the pond he had was a problem. Our lots back up to preserved land -- it's really the back of my property -- but all of his.

So we get talking one day he says he is thinking of buying the equipment ... but $700 .... think they were going to have to pay close to $400 that year. I gave him $300 and told him I would buy the chemicals every year. He does mine when he does his .. unbelievable. It works.

I'm going to have to either pay or get the service at my new house in PA ... nothing comes close. I hear it just as effective for ticks ... big problem in PA

 

[mike93lx]

My back neighbor at the my house in the burbs had the Squad for quite a few years ... I dismissed it. I used the hose spray stuff .... he had the squad until the service dropped off and the price went up. They started saying the pond he had was a problem. Our lots back up to preserved land -- it's really the back of my property -- but all of his.

So we get talking one day he says he is thinking of buying the equipment ... but $700 .... think they were going to have to pay close to $400 that year. I gave him $300 and told him I would buy the chemicals every year. He does mine when he does his .. unbelievable. It works.

I'm going to have to either pay or get the service at my new house in PA ... nothing comes close. I hear it just as effective for ticks ... big problem in PA

Ticks are a major part of why we treat. Haven't seen one since we started

 

[steaks&anvils]

How about screens for the doors? They can be a hassle though. But less chemicals the better... Google "garage insect screens".

If you get hose bug zappers, hang them away from the door so the bugs are drawn to that instead of your shop lights.

Also, the fans are a great way to keep them out, do you run them on the high setting?

Harbor freight is $25...

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[kelpaso1]

Just get a garage door screen as mentioned. They roll up when you need to get something in or out. I've had one on my door for years and no bugs in my garage when the door is up. Cost around $100 per door.

 

[Gunfixr]

Out here in the country, you can forget it. Go personal. A garlic tablet a day, or even only half a tablet per day, biting insects are no longer interested.
Well, except ticks, but there's permethrin for them.

 

[DanielC99]

My back neighbor at the my house in the burbs had the Squad for quite a few years ... I dismissed it. I used the hose spray stuff .... he had the squad until the service dropped off and the price went up. They started saying the pond he had was a problem. Our lots back up to preserved land -- it's really the back of my property -- but all of his.

So we get talking one day he says he is thinking of buying the equipment ... but $700 .... think they were going to have to pay close to $400 that year. I gave him $300 and told him I would buy the chemicals every year. He does mine when he does his .. unbelievable. It works.

I'm going to have to either pay or get the service at my new house in PA ... nothing comes close. I hear it just as effective for ticks ... big problem in PA

yeldogt, would you happen to know what equipment your neighbor bought, and the chemicals that are used?

 

[charbar]

Im going to try one of the large Thermocell things for the deck this summer. I did some reading and it sounds like they actually work, I dont think they cover a real large area though. Good for a deck size area, probably not a large shop. But it might help.

I bought a blue bug zapper a few years ago. I bought it more as a joke than anything, but it actually works pretty damn well! I very regularly have the two large shop doors open at night and the skeeters and everything else love to come in the shop. Its amazing how much of a difference turning that blue light on makes. And I have it hanging probably 3 feet from a 12x18 door.

 

[mike93lx]

Im going to try one of the large Thermocell things for the deck this summer. I did some reading and it sounds like they actually work, I dont think they cover a real large area though. Good for a deck size area, probably not a large shop. But it might help.

I bought a blue bug zapper a few years ago. I bought it more as a joke than anything, but it actually works pretty damn well! I very regularly have the two large shop doors open at night and the skeeters and everything else love to come in the shop. Its amazing how much of a difference turning that blue light on makes. And I have it hanging probably 3 feet from a 12x18 door.

Those bug zappers are terrible for indoor air quality. It vaporizes the bug guts and anything they are carrying. I cringe when I have to walk by them in plants

 

[couch67]

Out here in the country, you can forget it. Go personal. A garlic tablet a day, or even only half a tablet per day, biting insects are no longer interested.
Well, except ticks, but there's permethrin for them.

I had not heard about using garlic tabs for them. May have to look into that. Will it keep the wife away?

 

[Gunfixr]

It can, just go ahead and do a whole pill each day, or two, even.
How it works is that basically, you shed garlic smell through the skin, by sweat, etc.
The more you take, the stronger it will be.
You can make "social distancing" a whole new thing, if you take enough.

 

[Bretny]

If your on a well I wouldnt be spraying chemicals on your lawn.

I have used thermAcells before and they do work great but not in wind.

If its ticks your trying to keep at bay..I have been useing Richard organics flea and tick spray on my dogs and my self for a few years. It works well and I have tested it on a tick I picked off my self. I'm not the organic type but I do live in a very high tick area of the northeast.

 

[TTA89]

I posted this in the tick thread too but it works great for both.

Here is the Permethrin I use - https://www.solutionsstores.com/permethrin-sfr-insecticide

I bought this 2 stroke back back blower - https://www.misterduster.com/mistblower_duster_p/868.htm

The blower holds 3 gallons of water so it's heavy. I setup a folding table to set it down on and refill so I don't have to pick it up off the ground and put it on my back. I walk the perimeter and spray everything (bushes, trees, lawn) in an up/down pattern about 7-8 feet high down to the ground. I also spray the grass around the decks, house, driveways. This stuff is amazing... It kills everything that crawls, flies, bites and is pet safe after 30 minutes.

We have water on our property so I couldn't get a company to come spray and I'm glad I ended up just doing it myself. I'm typically on a 2-3 week spray window and If we are having a party I'll spray a few days ahead of time... We will go the whole night without 1 mosquito and haven't seen a tick yet this year.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Bifen works wonders, normally 3-4 months free of the little bastards after we spray.

 

[Gunfixr]

If your on a well I wouldnt be spraying chemicals on your lawn.

I have used thermAcells before and they do work great but not in wind.

If its ticks your trying to keep at bay..I have been useing Richard organics flea and tick spray on my dogs and my self for a few years. It works well and I have tested it on a tick I picked off my self. I'm not the organic type but I do live in a very high tick area of the northeast.

That depends. On a shallow well, I agree wholeheartedly. On a deep well, I could drop nuclear waste in the yard, and have no effect.

 

[racecougar]

Another vote for spraying the property with Bifen on a regular interval, and treating your clothes with Permethrin for ticks. They work.

 

[charbar]

Those bug zappers are terrible for indoor air quality. It vaporizes the bug guts and anything they are carrying. I cringe when I have to walk by them in plants

That's interesting to me, never thought of something like that before. Makes sense though.
Fortunately I don't need to worry about that in my shop. My zapper hangs outside the door. With the two overhead doors and seven windows open in the middle of BFE Id say the air quality in my shop is pretty good

 

[Ralf11]

Since you already have a bug zapper, I only have two other suggestions:

1. Nuke the area from space
2. Bang the bug's wife

 

[aggie113]

Since you already have a bug zapper, I only have two other suggestions:

1. Nuke the area from space
2. Bang the bug's wife

Not very helpful... The OP has mentioned nothing about having National Command Authority.
And let's keep the wives out of it

 

[nadogail]

Your local birds will help control mosquitoes. I
have a few bird houses in my backyard. Eliminating standing water also helps.

 

[Josh the IH guy]

Get a bat house. Bats eat tons of skeeters. Also, lemon balm plants help. So does mint. Keep the lawn mowed, and get some bug zappers that have the mosquito attractant. My wife swells up like crazy after she gets bit. And the love her. We did all this stuff, and it has really helped.

 

[poofyo101]

what insecticides do you guys suggest to handle spiders and roaches etc?

 

[Josh the IH guy]

what insecticides do you guys suggest to handle spiders and roaches etc?

I use viper. It's always worked well for the crawling bugs, but I just spray it around the perimeter of the house, and inside the doorways...

 

[nadogail]

Sounds like you are being visited by the State Bird of Minnesota, they may be a protected species.


Call your local authority having jurisdiction before harming those mosquitos.

 

[Plump]

How about screens for the doors? They can be a hassle though. But less chemicals the better... Google "garage insect screens".

If you get hose bug zappers, hang them away from the door so the bugs are drawn to that instead of your shop lights.

Also, the fans are a great way to keep them out, do you run them on the high setting?

Harbor freight is $25...

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Been doing the garage door screens for years. They've actually lasted 2-4 years for me but at that price, I always have one on hand if it gets shredded.

 

[Plump]

Talstar-D is amazing (for residential) but the Bifen is also good. Please make sure to spray at dusk/dawn and apply per the instructions as you don't want to be whacking the good bugs and bees. I oversee a municipal mosquito abatement program and we use Biomist 3+15 which is a permethrin. Most large-scale operations use some combination of permetherin and rotate it with another MOA chemical. Also, make sure you don't have standing water. Tires, bird baths, etc. are HUGE mosquito breeders that you would maybe not expect.

 

[-Stew-]

I use viper. It's always worked well for the crawling bugs, but I just spray it around the perimeter of the house, and inside the doorways...

Pet safe?

 

[gahrajmahal]

Here is our mosquito zapper. We call him (or her we don’t know) “The Count”. It is a little brown bat, protected in Ohio. One year as I was cleaning the deck above our garage with my leaf blower, I dislodged him from his nightly resting space and found him on the ground. I attempted to scoop him onto a shovel but he managed to fly away. I built him a nice bat house, but he won’t use it. He likes the space between the deck and house. He has come back each year, always by himself. No colony. If there were a bunch up there I’d screen it off. At dusk we can watch several bats swooping around eating mosquitoes and other bugs.

 

[metalmagpie]

Anyone who kills spiders is a damn fool.

 

[laser3kw]

us up north just wait till December and laugh as they freeze (the mosquitos)

 

[Josh the IH guy]

Pet safe?

Once it dries, its safe. We have 4 dogs and 3 cats. They are all a little crazy, but not from the viper. It dries pretty quickly.

 

[58Yeoman]

Here is our mosquito zapper. We call him (or her we don’t know) “The Count”. It is a little brown bat, protected in Ohio. One year as I was cleaning the deck above our garage with my leaf blower, I dislodged him from his nightly resting space and found him on the ground. I attempted to scoop him onto a shovel but he managed to fly away. I built him a nice bat house, but he won’t use it. He likes the space between the deck and house. He has come back each year, always by himself. No colony. If there were a bunch up there I’d screen it off. At dusk we can watch several bats swooping around eating mosquitoes and other bugs.

We've had an occasional bat flying now and then. I put up a bat house, but none ever used it. I had to finally take it down as it was falling apart. I've also put up a purple martin house and kept it clean and out in the open area, but none of them have shown up either.