We had a mild winter here in the East and the mosquitoes are bad, What can we do

1. 63

   The Fridgeposted 11 years ago

   We had a mild winter here in the East and the mosquitoes are bad, What can we do to cause retreat?
   
   I wonder how many secrets are out there about mosquito control that work wonderfully but have not been made public yet? HP lets solve it to the best of our ability.

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2. 74

   KevinTimothyposted 11 years ago

   I've lived in Tampa Bay for over 20 years and mosquitoes may as well be political figures here.  They tend to run the show if you don't take preventative measures.  There are common ways to control them like making sure you empty standing water and spraying chemical repellents on your skin.
   
   You can use Citronella plants, which can grow year round in tropical climates.  The downside to that is you'll pretty much have to have them planted all over your yard.  If you pinch off a couple of citronella leaves and crumble them in your hands you can rub the oils on exposed parts of your body.
   
   A classic I like to use is Avon's Skin So Soft or simple baby oil.  The main ingredient in them (mineral oil) tends to aggravate mosquitoes severely.  Use each in moderation because the Florida humidity will make you a little uncomfortable.  Nature has a way of providing counter measures to it's own pests.
   
   Purple Martins do an excellent job at patrolling your property for the blood suckers.  Cater to the birds by placing a Purple Martin house in your back yard.  The must be mounted high and away from predators.  Look up the bird and consider attracting them.  It may take a while but it will probably be your cheapest and most gratifying way to cut down on the mosquito population.

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      ASchwartzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I had no idea it was the mineral oil in skin so soft that kept the mosquitoes away! I think I'll stick with the skin so soft though. It smells so nice.

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   2. 74

      KevinTimothyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I had no clue myself until one day I experimented with baby oil.  It doesn't even take much, either.  I just dab a little around my ankles, triceps, and wrists.  I'm one that mosquitoes usually attacks but not when I'm wearing either one of those.

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3. 61

   KangaYankeeDooposted 11 years ago

   Some cities and towns spray during the Summer months for mosquitoes, however that may not be the case where you live. You can always get some of those citron candles, which really seem to work well at night in keeping all of those pesky insects away. You can also get citron candles on tiki poles and position them around the area where you are going to be, and that should help.

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4. 68

   ShootersCenterposted 11 years ago

   Garlic and vitamin B both help in controlling bugs, there's something they don't like that comes out our sweat glands. Take it before and when you're going to be out. Also any citrus works well, lotions and soaps that have citrus has much the same effect. Citronella plants an in candles, also in lotions.

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   1. 74

      KevinTimothyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, yea!  Garlic is awesome when it comes to repelling the suckers.  Didn't know about vitamin B, though.  Do you know which B vitamin or would it be better to go with a B complex vitamin?

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      The Fridgeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are right on that citrus !!! Didn't think of that until you mentioned it. We have 2 different anti bacterial soaps we use and since you mentioned it when I use the one that has citrus I don't get bit quite as much. Wow !!! IMPRESSIVE !!!

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   3. 68

      ShootersCenterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah you gotta love natural pest control, there's no telling what too much DEET would do.

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