On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 20:25:54 -0400, Steve Manes
wrote (with possible editing):
Last summer, my backyard was a mosquito rock concert. From July
through late September it was almost impossible to use my yard, late
day or night.
There's no standing water. I'm told that it's because of all my
tomato plants, which attract male mosquitos, which attract the biting
females. Whatever, I'm growing even more tomatoes this year and I'd
like to be able to go outside without being an insect feast and also
without dousing myself in Deet.
I'm looking for something to kill the little buggers. I'm told that
conventional bug zappers don't work well with mosquitos. Some
neighbors have built bat houses but I'm also told that mosquitos
aren't a favorite dish for bats either.
Any reasonable ideas?
Steve Manes
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.magpie.com/house/bbs
I have two "Mosquito Magnets". They are made by American Biophysics,
I think of Rhode Island. They are ridiculously expensive, but they
work extremely well - not only for mosquitoes, but black flies as
well.
I have had them now for at least 5 years. I have had to replace the
generators which seem to quit after about 3 years, but the company has
offered reduced cost units even when they are out of warranty.
They require changing 8lb propane cylinders every 3 weeks, and the
mosquito attractant and the collection bag at the same time, so
they're not cheap to maintain either, but they have been extremely
effective for us up in northern NH. (I don't bother changing the bag
except for once a season which saves a little bit) Nothing else
worked and I've been living up here and dealing with the problem for
over 30 years. For what it's worth, we grow tomatoes as well.
I'd suggest (also) that you check Consumer Reports or other sites for
comparisons as somebody must make one now that is less expensive and
still works. We bought a Mosquito Magnet the first year it was
offered, and quickly bought another the following year, once we saw
how effective it was.
--
Larry
Email to rapp at lmr dot com