Despite the relative drought like conditions here in Austin, my back covered patio and yard in general just has a ton of mosquitos. I thought just let it pass, but it's kind of impossible to use the backward, and with a 2.5 yr old, that's problem. I know those mosquito misting systems are kind of pricey, but we'll be here for a while, and if they work really good, then it has to be worth it. 1. Do they work? 2. Are there versions that use all natural, "safe" sprays? 3. Are there better, cheaper alternatives? Thanks!
1. Yes. We bought one in feb of this year. Yard was pretty bad and now we rarely see any 2. Yes. 3. Don't know about better, but I am sure that there are some effective, cheaper options
Cool. Any more detail. Which company, brand? Apologies for being a "hippie"... or, more precisely, not wanting chemicals sprayed around the yard on a regular basis where my young kids will be playing... :roll eyes: freaking Austonians! geez
****ing hell man I don't even water my lawn here in Austin only a small garden and some big potted plants/ trees and the mosquitoes will eat you alive. Can you order a DDT yard spray system from Africa or China? I'm willing to take the risk so I don't have to wear a Hazmat suit to walk outside.
This is honestly the worst I've ever seen it. You can't walk from your house to your car without being bitten. It's getting to the point where you can't do anything outside.
It's even better in tropical countries. I've had the dengue fever a few times. Can't our top scientists just get rid of them once and for all? I'm sure they don't contribute much to the ecosystem anyway.
If you care about such things.... the problem with mosquito misting systems is that they are indiscriminate in what bugs they kill. So it will kill butterflies, spiders, honeybees, moths, beneficial insects, etc..... The theory is that since you run it only at dawn and dusk when biting mosquitoes are most prevalent you should avoid most of the "good" bugs but opinions differ on this.
if they kill paper wasps as well I will light a candle for the fallen innocent and call it a win... been looking into a system myself, so I appreciate the info.
I use premethrin all the time on my camping gear. Seems to keep the mosqitoes in check. There are youtube videos on how to soak larger items like hammocks and tents. Might be a cheaper route than misting. (and possibly safer for kids)
Yes but they only kill on contact and don't sit like a death blanket over the ground and plants like DEET, so technically it only kills what is flying at the time. We still have honey bees and butterflies in our backyard
After a little more research, it appears the company's that use the natural and toxic-free sprays are using premethrin / pyretherin. Which is probably safe, but I don't plan on risking it. Research indicates it's definitely one of the lowest toxicities, not supposed to attack humans type sprays out there. But many articles point to the fact that it is still toxic, there are some bad stories, and they say best to avoid around kids and infants - of which I have both. Also, when you dig a little deeper, even the premethrin / pyretherin concentrates used still have a certain % of other stuff in it. I may just go the fan route I guess...
meanwhile I am in San diego on the beach dreaming of pappasitos eating another 'california' burrito with avocado.
