Any recommendations? Are Mosquito Magnets any good?

i think no. eternal question on here. i'm close to installing a pyrethrin/pemerithrin (sp?) automatic misting system around my entire yard. Nothing short of that has worked.

Started a fire, some mesquite, some pecan. Also put out the fluorescent light zapper thing. After it got dark, the skeeters lightened up, didn't really notice the zapper doing its work.

Out here now finishing up the ice chest and zero flies or bugs.

Gig em Ags.

I have a misting system. Works great.

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I have a misting system. Works great.

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+1

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+ 3. Highly recommend.

Where does one find or buy such a system?

MCS in Austin for us.

I've got a mistaway. Our termite provider/servicer reps them and installed it when we built the house. I'm in BCS. Can give you the reference if interested.

How much is one of those systems? How much does it cost to run?

If we explore some facts about mosquitos we can then deduct how to thwart them...fact#1, only females bite humans, fact#2, the reason she bites you is because she needs protein for her eggs, fact#3, they need water or moist conditions to lay their eggs, fact#4, a female detects CO2 to find her source of protein and has a CO2 detection range of 75 feet, fact#5, they rest/ bed in grass/weeds during the morning/day...

Going in reverse order for actions to take...treat your yard/vegetation with pyrethroid insecticides once a week during the late morning or afternoon, these insecticides kill adults (the cycle from egg to adult is about a week to ten days). Keep your outdoor lounging area at least 75 feet from potential breeding grounds or setup/ install a strong CO2 emitter at least 75 feet away from where you'll be. Number three is most important, remove any stagnant water sources and/or treat them with Methoprene larvicides (bird baths, pools, ponds, ditches, gutters, cans, old tires, low lying areas that collect rain, ect...common sense prevails here). Protein, install better protein options for the mosquito than your blood (I don't know how to execute this, just telling you the theoretical solution...maybe if you installed a protein source next to a high CO2 emitter on the outskirts of your outdoor area?). And lastly, she's a female, do manly stuff that drives all females away... smoke cigars, drink bourbon, watch sports, wear a wedding ring, fart, and spray your body and clothes with smelly DEET products...problem solved, not a female in sight, not even a mosquito

Cost of the system depends on how much area you need to cover and if you want advanced capabilities to treat different zones at different times. Haven't priced them lately but I think the unit we purchased - which can handle a pretty good area - was 3-4k. Cost to run the unit depends on number of nozzles, spray time, number of spray cycles per day, etc. We have 50 something nozzles that go off for 30 seconds 4 times a day and we refill our chemical every 9 mos. Cost for a refill is just over 100. Not only does it knock down mosquitoes, but it really prevents dirt dobbers from nesting up your walls, and other insects that damage annuals and other landscaping.

If you have a property and rely on need or other insects for pollination, you have to give that area a wide berth regarding nozzle locations.

*edited for spelling

[This message has been edited by dr_boogs (edited 6/15/2014 4:31p).]

due to TexAgs suggestions, this weekend I've been using thermacells and a burgess fogger. my daughter and I usually get attacked by Mosquitos. this weekend id say they are about 90% less problematic

We used a thermacell last night at a dinner and it worked great. Problem is they area they cover isn't too big, but for a table and chairs we were at it worked as advertised.

oh, and one of the few Mosquitos I found on me was a f******g Asian tiger mosquito

Cutter yard spray that screws onto a hose. Cheap, easy, and works great.

2nd what Ogre said. I use Cutter once a month and never have any issues.

on the other hand, I have used Cutter repeatedly, (out of desperation) and have never noticed any improvement.

For big/special occassions, I'll still try it but only 'cause it can't hurt, right?

Cutter will kill the adults, but will do nothing for the larvae/eggs...you have to treat water areas with a methoprene larvicide. They have a range of 75 foot as far as seeking out CO2, so if you're doing everything right and you next door neighbor does nothing then you're just wasting your time.

2 tablespoons of malathion per gallon of water. Treat around shrubs, flower beds, and patios. Do this after a rain and every week. $8 of chemical from Lowes can treat a good sized yard 48 times, or more than enough through the spring and summer.

good stuff, thanks