| If you've ever wondered which mosquito control | | | | pores. |
| methods work and which ones will simply drain your | | | | 9.) Forget the perfume. Certain members of the |
| pocketbook, read on for a comprehensive summary | | | | insect community will appreciate your scent even |
| of the good, the bad and the dangerous. | | | | more than the humans you want to impress. |
| 1.) Get an industrial grade fan for your patio or deck. | | | | Mosquitoes love perfume, especially floral or fruity |
| Mosquitoes have weak, fragile wings. They are easily | | | | fragrances. |
| swept away by changing currents. | | | | 10.) Invest in a mosquito tent for outdoor gatherings. |
| 2.) Remove any standing water from the property. | | | | Your guests will thank you for creating a party |
| Plastic pools, bird baths, buckets, ditches and puddles | | | | atmosphere conducive to fun and relaxation. |
| are all excellent places for mosquitoes to breed. You'll | | | | Now for some worthless measures... |
| also want to clear clogged gutters and pipes. | | | | According to the American Mosquito Control |
| 3.) Look into cedar oil. The U.S. Department of | | | | Association, the following mosquito control tactics |
| Agriculture recognizes cedar oil as the number one | | | | simply don't work as well as consumers perceive: |
| biological insect control agent, proven superior to | | | | 1.) Bugs Zappers. Two independent studies found no |
| chemical counterparts. Various spray and fogging | | | | significant difference in the number of mosquitoes |
| techniques are used to control a wide variety of | | | | found in yards with or without bug zappers. Such |
| insect infestations on commercial farms and | | | | devices catch huge numbers of non pest insects and |
| neighborhood lots. | | | | relatively few mosquitoes. |
| 4.) Drink frozen or heavily iced beverages to lower | | | | 2.) Citronella Candles: Citronella candles may produce a |
| your body temperature and diminish sweating. The | | | | mild repellent effect, but they don't offer a significant |
| carbon monoxide you expel while breathing increases | | | | increase in protection. |
| with heat and exercise, guiding mosquitoes to your | | | | 3.) Electronic Devices: At least 10 studies have found |
| vicinity. Your personal heat and body odor contribute | | | | ultrasonic devices to be totally useless. |
| to the cycle, making you more attractive than other | | | | 4.) Backyard Misting Systems: Misters needlessly |
| candidates in the yard. | | | | inject pesticides into the environment, affecting |
| 5.) Deodorize your feet. If you favor sandals and flip | | | | mosquitoes and beneficial insects alike. |
| flops over socks and tennis shoes, beware that | | | | The Dangers of Conventional Pesticides |
| exposed feet give off a powerful odor which | | | | Before you consider using a chemical delivery |
| attracts mosquitoes. Try a good unscented powder | | | | system, take a moment to research the active |
| to control foot moisture. | | | | ingredient online. You may not like what you find. |
| 6.) Look into lemon eucalyptus oil. The U.S. Center for | | | | Traditional DEET products are notorious for causing |
| Disease Control issued a statement in 2008 | | | | rashes, headaches, nausea and disorientation. Even |
| recommending lemon eucalyptus equally to deet for | | | | pyrethrum based insecticides derived from |
| mosquito control. The primary disadvantage with | | | | chrysanthemums are not as safe as once believed. |
| lemon eucalyptus is that it's normally sold in small | | | | According to an E.P.A. survey of poison control |
| bottles as a personal insect repellent. Cedar oil | | | | centers, pyrethrum based pesticides cause more |
| solutions are available in gallon-sized containers and | | | | insecticide poisoning incidents than any other |
| wholesale concentrates, making them much more | | | | pesticides except for organophosphates. |
| cost effective for treatment with fogging machines | | | | Due to widespread controversy over traditional insect |
| and wide area sprayers. | | | | control methods, cedar oil insect formulations have |
| 7.) Cover up! It may sound obvious, but the most | | | | gained increasing popularity and respect in the pest |
| horrifying mosquito episodes occur when outdoor | | | | control industry. In 2006, at the request of the U.S. |
| enthusiasts fail to dress appropriately. Take | | | | Army, a team of world renowned organic scientists |
| advantage of the standard drop in temperature after | | | | expanded upon traditional cedar oil formulations by |
| dusk. Opt for long sleeves and full length pants, | | | | introducing a quartz rock carrier to deliver a lethal |
| especially if you have mosquito allergies or sensitive | | | | dose of substance at the microscopic level. This |
| skin. Keep an extra pair of slacks in the car or | | | | nano-sized delivery system closes the breathing |
| backpack for summertime emergencies. | | | | pores of pheromone driven insects on contact and |
| 8.) Go light on the beer. Mosquitoes are attracted to | | | | creates a lasting a barrier that discourages new |
| the alcohol essence that is released through your | | | | insects from entering sprayed territory. |