Mosquito Spraying

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2002

Just wondering what experiences anyone has with spraying for mosquito control.

I moved into a house on 2.3 acres a year ago. I first saw the property last February, and while I knew there was a stream and a fire pond nearby, I was unprepared for the number of mosquitos I encountered last spring, summer, and fall. Worse than any place I’ve ever lived. Even during the day, one encounters swarms of mosquitos just about anyplace around the house. Visitors familiar with the general area (including the local tree service) have commented on how bad they are vs. other properties. The stream which runs through the back corner of my property is labeled a “conservation zone” (can’t mess with it), and the fire pond is in front on my neighbor’s land, so I can’t do much about the water sources.

Last year I tried several environmentally friendly methods of control, including two “mosquito magnets” (insect traps) and BT bacteria granules, and while they helped somewhat, I think they are still overwhelmed by the local mosquito population.

Now, this year, I am taking this more seriously, either to improve the situation or possibly move. Doing some searches on the web, it looks like the most common spraying method is now used is ULV (ultra low volume) fogging machines with water based versions of pyrethrum and permethrin insecticide. Also, it appears this stuff is especially toxic to fish so that adds another wrinkle to things. A small gas powered ULV fogger is available which looks like a backpack blower. I am a little concerned about the noise from the sprayer, as most articles recommend spraying in the evening when there is no wind.

Any thoughts on this approach would be much appreciated.

heehaw · May 23, 2002

usually ponds, with fish in them, and moving streams are no problem, i thought/think it takes still, almost stagnant water for those little monsters to multiply in..years ago i was at wheelus air force base, on the beach, when the trucks went thru the base housing area spraying for mosquitos, as the fog came to the beach, i thought we were going to get eat alive, the mosquitos stayed just in front of the fog, and went out to sea, i guess till the fog dissappeared, and then came back. but that gave a couple hours each night, with no mosquitos.
good luck,
heehaw

Ozarker · May 23, 2002

You could try some natural remedies. Attracting Purple Martins and bats to your property will all but eliminate the mosquito problem.

Carl_NH · May 23, 2002

84,

We have our share of mosquitos since we live just off the marsh from the Atlantic, as well irrigation system seems to breed them.

Local towns use permethrin on some marsh areas, as well the town sprays with a portable unit mounted to the back of a pickup.

We too were getting eaten alive every night and during the day too in the shady parts so, we had the same co. that sprays for the town (and peoples property) come in every two weeks and spray for $75 each time, about 6 times a summer - kept the bugs at bay and we were happy.

Well after the second summer paying $500, and the neighbor paid the same, I decided to investigate. So ended up with the same unit the bug men use the Stihl 420 backpack blower with 3.5 gal tank - runs about $600. Went to Agway got 8 quarts 13.3 % permethrin @ $42/qt diluted it per the intructions (about 8 oz/3.2 gal water) and away I went.

My neighbor and I split the cost so about $450 ea for the last three years of spraying, since one 3.2 gal does his yard/living space and ours about 2 acres total - we just do the perimeter into the woods about 20-30'.

Tips:

- Spray in the morning before the wind kicks up or just about sundown also check the weather and try to pick a day where no rain is forecast for 24-30 hrs
- Determine whcih way the wind is blowing and fog so the mist is going away from you and also for most effective coverage of your property
- Get ear plugs or a head set
- Fill the tank half full add the chemical then fill up, making sure the lid is screwed on tight - no fun having a wet back tho permethrin is not harmful to skin diluted
- use a setting between 2 and 3 on the misting nozzle - should last about 30 minutes full throttle.
- Stay away from fish ponds that are recirc water like backyard koi ponds as the directions say this is toxic to fish tho the previous post is right - running water is OK as it dilutes/reduces toxicity.
- talk to your neighbor and find out if they object to this method as well - it's better to have an ally than an enemy. If they object, be prepared with the facts and research on what is happenng elsewhere.
- you will still get mosquitos as they ride the air currents to find food, so this doesn't eliminate them but reduces the population locally to make outdoor living acceptable

Basically the permethrin is used to kill off the females before they hatch eggs, and they can only hatch if they have food(blood). One applicaiton usually works for 10-14 days pending the weather, as if you have a lot of rain, heat cycles it may be necessary to apply it more often.

BTW we tried bathouses, and have bats, and other methods before resorting to this method and it works.

Let me know how you make out.

Carl

JoeR · May 24, 2002

I would try to identify where they are coming from first, then come up with a plan of attack. Mosquitos usually fly upwind of their nesting area. This way they can fill up with blood and coast downwind to their nesting area. You might have a culvert pipe or something small holding enough water to keep them going.

Here is another product that may work....

http://www.frontgate.com/pdp.jsp?prod_key=14087

Good Luck,

Joe

rf33 · May 24, 2002

Not that this is of any help, but it is an interesting story and probably explains alot about some of my posts. Growing up in south FL, the mosquitoes were horrible. About twice per week during the spring and fall, while waiting for the school bus, all of us kids were doused with diesel and malathion by DC-3's. They fogged the entire town with this mixture, and to do it before the wind picked up, they always sprayed in the AM, just about the time the kids were out waiting for the bus. Sometimes I think it is a wonder my brain works at all (and there are those who would argue that it doesn't)/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

I have seen that Mosquito trap in the frontgate catalog, and I think that it sounds good in principle, but it is awfully expensive to try out. If I heard from some reputable source that it really worked well, I think it is a small price to pay ($800 I think) to have a yard free of mosquitoes.

Anonymous Poster · May 25, 2002

Thanks all for your replies.

Carl_NH, that detailed spraying info is very interesting. May I ask, does the Stihl 420 require a special attachment for spraying, and is it ULV capable? Also, did you need protective clothing and a special respirator? I am assuming the noise level is the same as a back pack leaf blower, even in the spray mode. Finally, can the the 420 be used as a leaf blower once it has been used as a sprayer, or is it essentially contaminated, and becomes a single purpose device? Thanks again.

Carl_NH · May 27, 2002

84,

The units come complete with, tank nozzle, (venturi type) all setup to spray. All you do is adjust the feed rate on the venturi (where the air/chemical is joined) to a setting of 2-3 and you're good to go. I sometimes slow the engine a bit to get a heavier concentration also.

Noise level is the same as a backpack blower and ear protection is advised as these are commercial units. As far as other uses, it's a great blower for leaves, and any other applications as you can turn off the feed from the tank to the ventruri. I always spray the entire tank load at one time.

Other uses:

- Spray roundup/poison ivy killer on large areas
- fall leaf cleanup
- deer repellent mixture to leaves
- grass seed application (never tried it)
- fruit tree application of pesticides
- any water based fogging application ..

Here's the web page for the SR 420

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/SR340_SR420.html

Carl

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2002

Our county has a fogging truck that comes around and sprays. They normally circle around the houses and ponds in the neighborhood. Next time I see the truck I'm going to ask what they are spraying. I like the idea of the Stihl sprayer but after a quick search of permethrin, I'm not sure I want that spraying out of a backpack fogger.

this is one hit on a search engine... http://www.safe2use.com/poisonspesticides/pesticides/permethrin/cox-report/cox.htm

Carl_NH · May 30, 2002

Shorty,

I reviewed this site. Very useful information. I wear a mask, but will change to a respirator. Seems as though little is stated about concentrations in all these articles, however is dangerous (brain disorder) to young mice when fed 1000mg/day etc. The mixture I spray is .02% and always stay upwind from the mist.

Likewise in our community 8000 people there are a few dozen that object to the spraying by the town and these areas are not sprayed, as they can call and request to be excluded.

Life is about choices, and some choose to drink alcohol, smoke etc. Some drive diesel tractors and cars, which by the way, diesel particulate fumes can also effect a person..

Carl