We live in Huntsville and have undeveloped wooded lots on one side and half way across the back of our property line.

What's the best thing for keeping away/killing mosquitos? I have tried the cutter spray and fogger from home depot on multiple occasions, but they don't last.

Our lot was wooded and is a new build (been in the house about one year, nearly to the day). We have a two and a half year old and she gets terrible welts from bites. We are trying not to constantly load her up with kids bug spray, we do have some skin so soft ordered.

What's the best option for mosquito management?

Edit: for typos

We are on 3 wooded acres and recently had our place treated by Mosquito Authority after a number of our neighbors had done so and were giving glowing reviews. We are two and a half weeks in and it's really made a difference. They treated a little over 1 acre of the property. The only time I am being attacked by mosquitoes is when I go outside of the treated area (say 150 feet behind the house). We have a large lawn with lots of flower beds and woods on all four sides. The lady that came out to look at the property and give the estimate said that the woods actually work really well to create a barrier after treatment. It's not cheap, cost was about $80 for the treatment. I believe it's about $65/treatment if you sign up for their maintenance plan for the season (through fall). Each treatment is supposed to last 21 days plus.

I don't know if this is the "best" solution but it works.

Mosquito Authority website

Go to Lowes and buy some Malathion from spectracide. Mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Mosquitos hang out in trees and shrubs, pretty much any place they can get out of the wind. Spray the problem areas and treat the entire yard a few times. Malathion is extremely effective on Mosquitos but it doesn't really have a residual. So you might want to treat once a week and after it rains. However after you do it a few times you will notice a drastic decrease in the numbers and can probably get by with treating less.

I want to say I've heard that mosquitoes almost never travel more than 150-200' from where they were born. So spraying a good region around the house should take care of the bulk of your problem.

we have lived in this house 37 years and NEVER had mosquitoes until this spring/summer and they remind me of Golden Triangle skeeters that could steal a small child!

There is currently a thread on the Outdoor board dealing with this that has good ideas.

There is a thread that is several months old on Aggies Only that suggested Biffen IT. It is the same chemical that pest control companies use. After reading the thread, I decided to buy some from Amazon (it's prime eligible), and it has worked very well. I think Biffen IT is a general purpose pesticide that's is safer to other creatures like kids and pets than Malathion.

I've now sprayed twice, and have seen very few mosquitos. The second spraying was 3 weeks after the first. The next spraying will be about 1 month after the second.

As Seven posted, learn where mosquitos like to hide. There range is about 150', so you'll need to hit everything in that range.

Thanks for the quick info everyone. I guess it's time to talk the neighbors into possibly splitting the cost.... Long shot though.

I have not tried this yet as mosquitoes have not gotten back at my house this year. However, my parents swear by Permethrin SFR. One bottle will do your whole yard and they say it lasts all summer. It's only $25-$30 per bottle. It's worth trying prior to bringing in a professional who is going to charge much more.

None of the companies I know (including ours) uses the permethrin or Bifen. Talstar + an IGR has shown the best results.

Bifen IT claims to be the same thing as Talstar.

It is the same thing

same thing only cheaper. Bifin IT works wonders for me. I use a hose end sprayer (which dilutes it but gives me better coverage, faster) and it has knocked back all the mosquitos.

quote:

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Bifen IT claims to be the same thing as Talstar.

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Sorry in my head I was thinking Bifen XTS, not IT.

Demand is stating that when paired with exciter, you'll get 60 days of control from 1 treatment.