Best Mosquito and Bug Killer? Mosquito Magnet? Spray? Net?

[maxfactor.factor]

Hello,

I would like to be able to go outside and enjoy the patio of my house during the summer, but the mosquitos and bugs and flies and "no see ums" eat you alive. I'm trying to determine the best way to deal with this issue, and was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback on the best way to proceed? Some options I have heard of are:

1) Mosquito Magnet or similar devices - I heard that they don't work and break down after the first year. 2) Bug Spray - who wants to put this stuff on everytime you go outside...and does it always work? Which is the best spray available? 3) Netting - I could put a net around my patio...which is about 10 feet x 10 feet...but it will not allow you to exerience nature in the best way. Which netting solution is the best available? 4) I'm open to other suggestions???

Thanks for your help. Please let me know what has worked for you.

-Max

[Chris]

Try a citronella candle or 3.

Chris

[Billy]

In a 26 Apr 2008 post, Jan Flora said: "Deep Woods Off. But try to minimize spraying it on your skin.

Don't wear blue shirts.

Take Vitamin B-complex.

Eat garlic.

If you're really sensitive, get one of those new-fangled Mosquito trap things that use propane to generate CO2. The mossies are attracted by you breathing. Those trap things work. A neighbor of ours lives in a swamp and her yard is mossie-free during the summer. We're in Alaska.

Any of the repellents with a high DEET content will work, but that stuff will probably kill you in the long run. But death in the future is always better than death from blood loss today.

Here's a pretty good website:

"Since the mosquito is the State Bird of Alaska (or is that Minnesota?) you should be attentive to her words.

[Bill]

I've got a heater fan that comes on about 6 pm for a few hours. Heat goes out mosquito's come in and find a small fan. Grisley....Ha ha ha ha. who would like not to pick a tick off my hind parts as often.

Bill

[MajorOz]

Good advice all.

Also, for the long run, try to attract swallows and bats to your area. They work like a tag team at dusk, and there is never a skeeter on the deck, which is about 12 ft. from the pond.

cheers

oz, trying to spruce up house and garden for reunion at the plantation

[Chris]

Also, get rid of water baths, and make sure you have no standing water around where they can lay eggs.

Chris