Fogger & insect control help

[sherpa]

We live in the Pisgah National Forest in western NC and usually have a lot of flying insects in the summer months. I was thinking about getting a insect fogger and wanted to see what other people use including which chemicals I would need and where to buy the fogger and chemicals? I am open to other suggestions as well.
Sherpa

 

[ponytug]

Put up more bat houses and bird boxes?

FWIW: Our insect issues went down after we quit using pesticides because insectivores moved in. Plus, we get to watch the bluebirds up close.

All the best,

Peter

 

[dodge man]

This is one I have, a small propane tank screws in the back to heat it up. It works good but I have so many trees around it seemed to have a limited affect unless it was a dead calm. I haven’t used it in years. I got it at the local farm store and the chemical were available there, I was mainly after mosquitoes.

 

[/pine]

Get an old push mower that runs...fashion a tank with a 1/8" copper tubed fastened with a needle valve...punch a 3/16" hole in the muffler...
...fill the tank with spent motor oil, some diesel or kerosene and some citronella oil...
as soon as the muffler is hot open the valve...fog city limits...!

under decks and in piles of wet leaves are mosquitoes like to hang....

 

[jaxs]

I'm not apposed to using pesticides IF DONE RESPONSIBLY and targeting specific pests but wholesale broadcasting always causes more problems than it solves. I wish I could still buy some of the pesticides that were taken off shelves in past years but if they weren't taken out of public reach the world would pay for indiscriminate use. Perhapps if you identify the flying insects and what problem they cause for you,we might better help.

 

[sherpa]

Mainly "No See Ums", "Nats" and a few "Mosquitos". We have outside fires at the firering and we have Bats. I have sprayed with a handheld pump up sprayer that helps temporarily. I built a fogger with an old lawnmower that was very effective but I can't get the lawnmower to all my property. Any other suggestions?

 

[groundcover]

Get an old push mower that runs...fashion a tank with a 1/8" copper tubed fastened with a needle valve...punch a 3/16" hole in the muffler...
...fill the tank with spent motor oil, some diesel or kerosene and some citronella oil...
as soon as the muffler is hot open the valve...fog city limits...!

under decks and in piles of wet leaves are mosquitoes like to hang....

Is that tier 4 final complaint????

 

[ruffdog]

View attachment 793731
This is one I have, a small propane tank screws in the back to heat it up. It works good but I have so many trees around it seemed to have a limited affect unless it was a dead calm. I haven’t used it in years. I got it at the local farm store and the chemical were available there, I was mainly after mosquitoes.

I have one of those propane foggers too with the same results. I mostly use it now to fog out ground bees.

 

[ruffdog]

Put up more bat houses and bird boxes?

FWIW: Our insect issues went down after we quit using pesticides because insectivores moved in. Plus, we get to watch the bluebirds up close.

All the best,

Peter

I agree on the birds.....more of them will help with the insects and they don't like sprayed food. We have tree swallows, barn swallows, bluebirds, bats, etc and they eat lots of bugs. With all the swallows in and around the neighbor's barn, it is the most mosquito-free place around here.

 

[jaxs]

Gnats, No-see-ums and mosquitos don't damage anything so residual pesticide isn't required. To keep them at bay while outdoors I recommend Sawyer Permethrin on clothes,lawn chairs,umberella shades and other objects. Protection lasts for weeks and/or a few times through laundry. We have treated garments we only wear when protection is needed so a single treatment lasts from Spring through Summer then retreated in Fall when mosquito population dramatically increases. Guests often look suspiciously at us when offered ankle length garments but after experiencing protection from mosquitos,ask "what is the stuff on this garment called"? If dogs are with you Sawyer is safe to be applied to them and as a bonus protects them several day against ticks. Even if it weren't effective for afore mentioned pests my wife would pay 10x what it costs just for chigger protection. In the mudroom closet with the other treated garments are cotton socks with foot removed and homemade leggings that are 99.999% effective for chiggers. Deet is also effective for chiggers but the wife loath's having on her and can't wait to get in the shower afterwards. Plus in the past sure as hell we walked to the pond without spraying we got a load of chiggers. The cherry on top is Permethrin not only repels,it actuall kills many insects that come in contact.
I referenced Sawyer which I highly recommend and you can find a bucnch of info on line. I use THIS STUFF because I use a lot and it's so much cheaper.
Research plants adapted to your location that repel certain things.

 

[ruffdog]

Gnats, No-see-ums and mosquitos don't damage anything so residual pesticide isn't required. To keep them at bay while outdoors I recommend Sawyer Permethrin on clothes,lawn chairs

That is a good defense against ticks too.

 

[nyone]

I have used all kinds of bug repellents but to be honest I have found that richard organics flea and tick spray works best on bighting insects..it works just as good as deep woods OFF.
The only other thing i have found that also works is a thermocell. Those things nearly saved my life one camping trip. I own 3 now.

 

[oosik]

The summer of '76 in Alaska. We built our log cabin. Cut the trees on a government allotment and trailered them to the build site. Two sided with an Alaskan mill. Completed the construction of the 18x24 cabin just before first snow fall.

For anybody who has spent time in Alaska. You know that the mosquitos can be so very bad they are considered a real health concern.

I bought a propane fogger. Like Dodge Man shows - post#3. Used the chemicals recommended by the fogger manufacturer. Fog the specific work site and it did drive the mosquitos away. This would last about 30 minuets and then they were back with a vengeance.

Then my good friend gave me some chemicals use by the military. WOW!!! What a difference. Fog the entire site in the morning - not a single mosquito all day.

It proved to be a REAL God-sent addition to our project.

 

[RalphVa]

It's tempting to use one of those, but the environmental damage from spraying all those insecticides is very questionable.

 

[North to Alaska]

If the issue is primarily mosquitos, try a product called Mosquito Barrier. It’s 99.8% garlic. You spray it using a garden hose and an end of hose dispenser. Very effective in my experience and completely harmless to everything else. Makes your back yard smell like an Italian kitchen for a couple of days though .

Best time to use it is in the evening. Spray everything down including tree foliage. No mosquitoes for several weeks.

 

[oosik]

North to Alaska - I'm glad to see that modern science has developed eco-friendly mosquito spray products. I'm almost 100% sure that what the military used, back in my days in AK, was DDT or some derivative.

The stuff my friend gave me had that familiar smell when we used it.

 

[EddieWalker]

We have a bug zapper that entertains us in the evenings when we are sitting on the porch, but for our personal protection, we use a Thermocell. It sits on a small table between me and my wife, and it pretty much keeps everything away from us. I highly recommend it

https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-Cartridge-Repellent-Protection-Mosquito-Free/dp/B07JCQ8GQJ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=39OY1NQ43XXTV&keywords=thermocells+for+mosquitoes&qid=1682520109&sprefix=thermocell%2Caps%2C289&sr=8-4

We've found that the refills are cheaper on Walmart.com then Amazon, but I've also learned that prices change so often that it's worth checking around every time you want to buy something.

 

[Doofy]

Build yourself a Mosquito Sniper system. Use a pump sprayer and a leaf blower & let-er-rip!

 

[Doofy]

Build yourself a Mosquito Sniper system. Use a pump sprayer and a leaf blower & let-er-rip!

For truly portable...a cordless leaf blower!

 

[sherpa]

As I mention earlier the Mosquitos are not a problem. I suspect the bats we have and all the birds especially the Fly Catchers take care of the Mosquitos. We also have outside fires at the firering. The no-see-ums and knats are the problem. I ordered a 110 powered fogger that I can use with my small portable generator and cover the entire 6 acres using my ATV or tractor. I will give you an update once I try it out.