spraying for mosquitoes? what's the deal?

568 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by LittleLime, Jun 2, 2005

LittleLime

Discussion Starter · Jun 1, 2005

my family and i are moving from the mosquito free city of Boston to the mosquito-laden area of portland, maine. it appears that the house we bought is in a particularly *itchy* area (lots of marsh land...lots of water...lots of skeeters).

my new neighbors tell me that you HAVE to spray for mosquitoes or else it is unbearable. the houses on either side of us have a regular spray service. the neighbors have also told me that my yard actually benefits from their spraying in close proximity.

so...even if i choose not to spray we will certainly be exposed to the chemicals. so anyone know how bad they are? what do they use? where can i find more info?

thanks!

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beemama

· #2 · Jun 1, 2005

I'd like to know the answer to this one..... wait!
no I don't! We're right across the street from lake at the community park and we've already seen the trucks spray twice! Everybody talks about how you "have to" because of west nile. I'm pretty sad about it... we've got an *organic* garden out there!

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onlyboys

· #3 · Jun 2, 2005

We get sprayed about once a month by the roaming poison trucks. I hate it. I do not notice any difference at all between us (who get sprayed) and my father's (how doesn't). We turn off our AC when we see it coming, but I am not sure if that helps or not... Around here they use malathion. I'd recommend NOT looking it up if you have no choice but to be exposed to it; it's scary stuff.

I've never heard of anyone private spraying; around here the city does it for us. If they are spraying, you cannot prevent it, but I seriously doubt that you *have to* in order for your space to be tolerable. You may plant some marigolds, which are said to be good for keeping mosquitoes at bay.

Just fyi, the Burt's Bees bug spray works really well.

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Starr

· #4 · Jun 2, 2005

We spray every summer at our house too, in Minnesota. Mosquitos are nicknamed the state bird they're so bad. I guess I don't like the chemical part of it but when you only get 4 months of summer I would spray/kill almost anything to be able to go outside. If you have standing water on your property it will be soooo much worse. I think they hatch their eggs in water

. If possible I would do landscaping to get rid of the standing water its that bad. Tried all the citronella candles...don't waste your money. Another great alternative is a mosquito magnet, very little to no chemicals and it covers a large area, maybe you and the neighbors could go in on one together. HTH.

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aniT

· #5 · Jun 2, 2005

Quote:

Another great alternative is a mosquito magnet, very little to no chemicals and it covers a large area, maybe you and the neighbors could go in on one together. HTH.

I saw these at Lowe's the other day. The 1/2 acre one was 250ish and the 1 acre one was in the upper 400's. This will be our first summer here so I am not sure how bad the mosqutios will be. We have woods across the street but they are going to be tearing them out for houses sometime in the near future.

I know at our old house, (on a mountain in the forest.) I just didn't go outside after dusk. That is when they are at their worse.

Isn't it lovely that others expect you to be greatfull to be sprayed with poison? By telling you that you benifit for their spraying were they trying to imply that you owe them? That would so irk me. If it is in your budget I would try one of the mosquito magnets. I saw a post a few weeks ago from someone who said they worked great. Good luck

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PikkuMyy

· #6 · Jun 2, 2005

If you have any standing water - get rid of it because yes, mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. However, if you can't get rid of it, and the area is contained, get some mosquito fish! They eat the eggs and larva. However, you want to make sure that they are native to your area first because otherwise you'd be introducing an exotic species. If they are exotic to your area, you might want to PROVIDE a standing water pool or barrel with mosquito fish in it so that you then tempt those buzzing jerks to lay their eggs in your water (where little do they know, they'll get et!)

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LittleLime

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 2, 2005

thanks everyone for the help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aniT
Isn't it lovely that others expect you to be greatfull to be sprayed with poison? By telling you that you benifit for their spraying were they trying to imply that you owe them?

I know...part of me was thinking it would be nice to be skeeter free and still have a clear conscience because i wasn't the one actually ordering the chemicals.

: I don't even think they were saying I owe them. They were just being neighborly!

I like the fish idea. I'll look into that. And my sister had a mosquito magnet in alaska and said it worked pretty well.

What about natural remedies for bites? is calamine lotion ok?

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