Heidi wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@nospam.net:
Any good ideas out there for controlling mosquitos? We have not been
> outside to enjoy our garden near as much as I would like b/c of those
> tiny pests. Our yard is not conducive for bats, sparrows, or other
> mosquito eating friends (trees too close together to offer a nice flight
> pattern). We do not have any standing water--no bird baths, etc..
> Because we have pets, I am not keen on spraying insecticides.
>
> I am wondering:
>
> if I placed a pool of water to the side of the house, where we don't
> congregate very often, and drop in one of those mosquito pellets into
> the water, would the water attract and destroy the enemy? Or would
> brining in standing water, only serve in the same way as those Japanese
> Beetle traps, it would just attract more bugs to the yard.
>
> Any other ideas???
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Heidi
>
>
As long as the water is stagnant (not moving) and there is something for the mosquito larvae to eat (plant matter at the least) mommy mosquito and her friends are going to find it. When I have buckets of rain water out, there are never any mosquito larvae in the clear water, but usually plenty where the water is dirty and/or have bits of plants in the water.
Have you thought about planting lemongrass? I don't know if it's a mosquito control, but I had a couple of roots in a cut open milk jug once and found several dead mosquitos in the puddle after it rained. I had used Bt mosquito dunks the year before (though I don't know if those work on adults) but I don't think they were ever in contact with the lemongrass or jug.
- Salty