Stinkin' mosquitoes!!!

[OakLeaf]

If you make sure to drain the rain barrels weekly, the mosquito larvae won't survive to adulthood. Water really shouldn't be stored in open containers longer than a week anyhow, mosquitoes or no mosquitoes.


And... that NEJM study doesn't say the other repellents aren't RELIABLE, it just says that high concentration DEET is the only one that lasts for hours on end without being re-applied. I don't see the problem with re-applying a safer repellent (that incidentally smells much better and doesn't melt your clothes, electronic gizmos and sunglasses either). Sunblock has to be reapplied every couple of hours, after all; why not repellent?

[emily_in_nc]

If you make sure to drain the rain barrels weekly, the mosquito larvae won't survive to adulthood. Water really shouldn't be stored in open containers longer than a week anyhow, mosquitoes or no mosquitoes.

The thing that was strange, though, is that the containers (large garbage cans) were had sealed lids on top, and the rainwater flowed in through the downspouts, which entered on the side (up high). So the skeeters had to slip in the cracks around the downspout to get in there to breed, crafty varmints!

You're right, though -- we'll definitely need to drain them regularly when we get them set back up (unless DH is just "done" with dealing with them, which he might be). That means they'll be empty a good bit of time since our rains have only been sporadic lately, but whenever we do get a nice little rain, like last night (unexpectedly), they'll fill back up.

Emily

[GLC1968]

I was told that there were very few (if any) mosquitos in the PNW.

Liers! I found them...or should I say, they found me. I am the walking mosquito catcher. Keep me around, and you won't get bitten. It's a running joke in my family. I don't find it very funny. It is not nearly as bad as some places I've lived, but they are definitely still a presence here.

If there is a mosquito within 50 miles, it'll find me. And black flies? Even pure DEET, literaly dripping off me, didn't stop them. Ugh. As much as I loved New England...I don't miss the biting bugs.

[SadieKate]

You're right, though -- we'll definitely need to drain them regularly when we get them set back up (unless DH is just "done" with dealing with them, which he might be). That means they'll be empty a good bit of time since our rains have only been sporadic lately, but whenever we do get a nice little rain, like last night (unexpectedly), they'll fill back up.

Emily

Just add a bit of olive or corn oil. The film on the surface suffocates the larvae and you can still use the water on your garden.

http://www.noahsnotes.com/naturalpest.html

[BikeDutchess]

I am the walking mosquito catcher. Keep me around, and you won't get bitten. It's a running joke in my family. I don't find it very funny.

I feel your pain...or rather, your itch! I'm the mosquito magnet in my family. After our moonlight ride last weekend, I was the ONLY one covered in mosquito bites. They got me right through my bike shorts and jersey!

[bmccasland]

I get a couple of bites every evening when I walk from the kitchen to the compost pile and back. Not far, and still the little buggers find me. NO FAIR!

[OakLeaf]

Through your skin tight bike shorts and jersey... ha. They bite me through denim.

In Florida, people must've thought I was on drugs, because I'd wear long sleeves and long pants in the height of summer. In the time it would take to lock my bike, I'd have 10 bites (not exaggerating). If I went out for a bike cruise with DH at less than 12-14 mph, they would chase me down and bite me.

[nancielle]

This is my feeling about mosquitos around here this year

[newfsmith]

A fisherman is at the Wisconsin river and was suddenly attacked by 2 mosquitos. As they lifted him up and were flying up river, he overheard one ask the other "Should we eat him here or take him home?" The reply stunned him, "Let's eat him here, if we take him home the big boys will take him away from us."

[pardes]

I have never had a problem with mosquitos while biking. I think they figure from my huffing and puffing that I'll be dead in two minutes anyway so why bother.

[madscot13]

why would you build a nation's capital on a marsh?

Minnesota I understand; it was left over land that no one wanted. DC was built up from a stinkin' swamp. And I swear there must be something in the water (other than personal care products, or perhaps because of personal care products) there bites just won't go away.