FYI: For those people who look like Chewbacca with your shirt off.
Human Body Hair can repel mosquitos, and other small insects.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45661962
Source: That Armenian Dad at the beach
Citronella candles and torches don't repel mosquitos, but they mask the scent of humans. This helps, but not 100%.
DEET doesn't mask your scent, so mosquitos are still attracted to you. Once they land on your skin, though, they fly away immediately. Very effective.
Propane based traps work very well for collecting large numbers of mosquitos. There isn't a definitive answer on whether they reduce the local mosquito population over time. The idea is that if large numbers are killed, it will reduce the local breeding.
Thermacell brand mosquito repellers are, IMO, magic. At first I thought they were a gimmick, but my impression of them is very positive. They output a light chemical mist which keeps mosquitoes away. They only work with little to no wind, and they take 15 minutes to warm up and start working.
I know an engineer who had several ponds near his property who built an elaborate contraption to attract and electrocute them. He killed tens of thousands. Hundreds more ignored it and bit him anyway.
Bug zappers don't focus on mosquitos. They focus on bugs attracted to light. Mosquitos aren't particularly attracted to light. They are attracted to body heat and, most particularly, carbon dioxide. Our exhalations draw them near. Then the heat from the veins close to the skin's surface provide the fine tuned target. So, to attract mosquitos, emit carbon dioxide which then draws near to a body temperature heat source, which then zaps or drowns them. This drowning is accomplished by having the mosquitos attracted to a suction which then blows them into water with a bit of soap in it.
i saw a video of a system like that in action, guy left it running for a good long while and then dumped out a PILE of dead mosquitoes (and only mosquitoes)
mosquitos attracted to a suction
I'll call that piece "fucking karma, bitch"
and those mosquitoes went on to reproduce
people say that engineer is still being bitten to this day…
Put out a dedicated standing water source but lace it with eco-friendly Bti that kills the larve. (It doesn't harm people/pets/birds/other insects)
Any recs?
Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits
I've been skeptical of these, how is it known that it impacts no other insects?
"Bti toxins are activated only by the alkaline digestive systems of specific Nematocera larvae (mosquitoes, black flies)."
Plus you only use it in a specific place... not a large body of water.
But that only kills those larva. Not the ones in all the ponds nearby.
What if I regularly bruise the plant tho
I'm imagining a dad arranging a patio for a BBQ he's throwing later and the last step is him walking the perimeter of the yard giving all of the bushes haymakers.
it is just the level of crazy i am here for
Gotta geek out a tiny bit.
Assuming my uncited research from a decade+ ago is correct ...
Citronella was actually extracted from the "Lemon Eucalyptus / Lemon-scented Gum" tree, formerly known as Eucalyptus citriodora but more accurately known as Corymbia citriodora.
The "Citronella Scented Geraniums" never worked much at all to repel mosquitoes. It was essentially the placebo effect. I've done really lame and totally non-scientific experiments myself. The geraniums simply do not work to any significant benefit. People will literally argue with you day and night about this, but it's just not true.
That being said, grow scented geraniums to your heart's content. Burn citronella candles as if your life depended on it. They smell really good and olfactory cues like this will burn memories into your brain that you'll treasure when you're older and fading.
Where is the laser based anti air mosquito gun?
Here is a youtube video purportedly showing one actually working; they've been taking pre-orders since last summer but wikipedia editors say it's unverifiable so they remove references to it from their "Mosquito laser" article.
Ok. I need some verifications, because this is big if true.
Yeah but... also stink bugs. If it can kill both I want a dozen.
Also pigeons. I have a date tomorrow in the park
When do we get those layers that shoot their wings?
An Industrial/Workshop fan and a bug net can kill thousands every night.
If you really want to go Ham then put a bucket of dry ice near the fan but you won't need it.
Lenon eucalyptus is the best
*Lenin
Lenin Eucalyptus. Keeps away the bourgeoisie mosquito parasites
imagine that
And one of them read a book on Marx.
I tried a natural mosquito repellent with this in it and was shocked at how effective it was. I'm a mosquito magnet and it worked just as well as the ones with deet.
Yep it's amazingly effective.
eucalyptus is what we use here on Hexbear with our spooky tankie buddies at db0.
unless its bruised
How hard can it be to give a flower a bruise? 🤷♂️
I say kill 'em all.
Are you from Buenos Aires?
tell me more
All I can tell you is that I'm doing my part
Service means citizenship.
My weapon of choice:
I got a couple of these in my garden. I love them.
when I go out to work in the garden I grab a couple leaves, roll them around between my hands and rub them on my exposed skin.
usually works for a few hours and works really well. for example without it I'll get bitten 10-15 times. with it on maybe 2-5 times.
highly recommend if you garden outside in humid or hot climates.
Im not loving a plan where i get bitten twice in a few hours.
Instead of going outside and rubbing plants on me ill stay inside and fill the air with poison.
That's fine. I get it. I'm the same way usually.
because of the increase of groceries I expanded my garden and saved myself around $900 last year in groceries alone.
this year I'll break even with what it cost to build and probably be in the green a bit towards the end.
so citronella sprays work but the candles don’t? or was i mislead and the candles work as well?
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