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Mosquito control devices. Which one...?
- Thread starter rico304
- Start date
Junkman
Extra Super Moderator
Are the mosquito's starting early this year or are you???? I have heard that the Mosquito Magnet is a great item. I know of someone that has two of them and neither seem to do much good for him. Other people I know swear by them and claim that they work great. I am not certain as to why some love them and others feel that they don't work, but for the costs, I am not going to learn first hand until the price comes down..... Junk.......
Junkman
Extra Super Moderator
The last time that I was in Portland Maine, it was about 7 PM and the work crews were out picking up the sidewalks and putting them away for the evening. Maine is like Detroit...... it is a place you only want to visit once just so you can say that you were there once. 
rico304
New member
Actually, Portland starts hopping in the evening. It is a fun city to walk around. About 24 bars within a 5 block radius. From Blues to hip hop. Comedy connection generally has a headliner every weekend/ booze cruises on one of the Ferrys that goes around most of the bay islands/ people playing instruments on the street, (with the open hat or cup close by of course
) Merill Auditorium has plays or opera type shows every weekend, and the civic center hosts a bunch of concerts.
A whole bunch more too. You should give me a call if you come back. I have an idea you would change your mind. I think we had approx. 24 cruise ships come to Portland last summer. (Down a little from 2004)
I actually live approx. 20 minutes outside of Portland, and yes, we roll our streets up at 7 haha. That being said, I'm about 5 minutes from LL Bean. (not that I go there very often, but people think that living so close is a cool thing
)
Like I said, give me a call. We'll talk about mosquitos and electrical upgrades over a drink and burito
) Merill Auditorium has plays or opera type shows every weekend, and the civic center hosts a bunch of concerts. A whole bunch more too. You should give me a call if you come back. I have an idea you would change your mind. I think we had approx. 24 cruise ships come to Portland last summer. (Down a little from 2004)
I actually live approx. 20 minutes outside of Portland, and yes, we roll our streets up at 7
haha. That being said, I'm about 5 minutes from LL Bean. (not that I go there very often, but people think that living so close is a cool thing )Like I said, give me a call. We'll talk about mosquitos and electrical upgrades over a drink and burito
Junkman
Extra Super Moderator
The last time that I was to Portland was in 1963. I guess that it has changed a little. I have a ex girlfriend that lives somewhere near Portland, but he wife has forbid me to have contact with her. Besides, that was about 30 years ago and I have a feeling that she has gained more than 30 pounds in those 30 years, so I have no interest. 
Besides, that was about 30 years ago and I have a feeling that she has gained more than 30 pounds in those 30 years, so I have no interest. I've had a Mosquito Magnet (Liberty?) that's supposed to be good for an acre for a couple of years. It's effective, but not nearly 100%, and placement is critical. I also use a propane fogger two or three times a week in shrubby areas around the house. Keeping the grass in the yard and pastures clipped has more impact on mosquito reduction than anything else for me. If the rains keep me from mowing the pastures and it gets 8-10" high the mosquitoes around the house are much harder to control.
Kubota King
New member
rico304 said:Actually, Portland starts hopping in the evening. It is a fun city to walk around. About 24 bars within a 5 block radius. From Blues to hip hop. Comedy connection generally has a headliner every weekend/ booze cruises on one of the Ferrys that goes around most of the bay islands/ people playing instruments on the street, (with the open hat or cup close by of course
lets not forget the Platnum plus club in Portland
!
Himself
New member
I have two MM liberty's. Both purchased new at the same time from/while employed for a subcontractor.
One used twice as much propane as the other. Which one was using the correct amount? I dunno, but I can state that each and every delivery nozzle was digitally flow tested directly before assembly into the heat exchanger casting.
Neither ever really captured many insects.
I live on a lake, some woods, some grass, some shrubs. At dusk and then again around dawn there are quite a few mossies but in between there are many less mossies and far more daytime black flies (in season). The MM's proved less than acceptable in reducing the biting insect populations as evidenced by the bag contents vs the welts on my Irish alabaster skin. The units were placed around 200 feet apart, maybe 300.
I researched the science that American Biophysics braggs about in the literature. It is logical and makes sense to me. The major drawback is that the plumes are very subject to air currents. In a closed room they capture about half of the biting insects according to a subsequent Consumers Reports article, I think the number (half) is correct but my memory sucks so don't be surprised if it varies somewhat. In any breeze they are pretty much useless in my opinion based on my ownership.
I've been to Maine, a Moody campground and Wells beach, or viceversa, cold ocean and the friggin mossies are unbelievable. I'm glad I missed fly season. I haven't gone back and not because of the dead guy they openly paraded past the trolley when we arrived, but that's another sad story.
The MM Liberty retailed for $495.- at the time of my purchase.
You can buy a lot of bug juice for far less money and enjoy at least equal results. There has to be a better way than MM, at least at my house.
Another idea is to post some bat boxes. The bats work for free. I nailed mine up right next to where my MIL parks her broom, just seemed natural.
Bye,
Martin
One used twice as much propane as the other. Which one was using the correct amount? I dunno, but I can state that each and every delivery nozzle was digitally flow tested directly before assembly into the heat exchanger casting.
Neither ever really captured many insects.
I live on a lake, some woods, some grass, some shrubs. At dusk and then again around dawn there are quite a few mossies but in between there are many less mossies and far more daytime black flies (in season). The MM's proved less than acceptable in reducing the biting insect populations as evidenced by the bag contents vs the welts on my Irish alabaster skin. The units were placed around 200 feet apart, maybe 300.
I researched the science that American Biophysics braggs about in the literature. It is logical and makes sense to me. The major drawback is that the plumes are very subject to air currents. In a closed room they capture about half of the biting insects according to a subsequent Consumers Reports article, I think the number (half) is correct but my memory sucks so don't be surprised if it varies somewhat. In any breeze they are pretty much useless in my opinion based on my ownership.
I've been to Maine, a Moody campground and Wells beach, or viceversa, cold ocean and the friggin mossies are unbelievable. I'm glad I missed fly season. I haven't gone back and not because of the dead guy they openly paraded past the trolley when we arrived, but that's another sad story.
The MM Liberty retailed for $495.- at the time of my purchase.
You can buy a lot of bug juice for far less money and enjoy at least equal results. There has to be a better way than MM, at least at my house.
Another idea is to post some bat boxes. The bats work for free. I nailed mine up right next to where my MIL parks her broom, just seemed natural.
Bye,
Martin
Great post Martin, Thanks!
Your question reminded me that I wanted to search for foggers. I found this one that is big enough for our 5 acres, but small enough to handle. A little pricey at ~$1600, but within my budget.
But, more intriguing was this one, which is apparently completely automatic, dispenses mist in all directions and appears pretty effective. I could put 5 of these around the property for the cost of 2 mosquito magnets, and the maintenance costs appear to be quite a bit less. Anyone have any experience with them?
The reason these fairly expensive solutions are within my budget is because of a construction decision we're making. In Florida, most swimming pools are enclosed within an elaborate screen room to keep out the bugs. This one is probably typical, and a little smaller than what we would need for our new home.
They are very pricey; $10,000 is not at all unusual. However, they have disadvantages. They block out about 30% of the sun's energy, making it more difficult to heat the pool water without a pool heater. Plus, they're expensive to maintain -- I recently had my enclosure re-screened, and it was $2,000.
So, we've decided to forgo the pool enclosure on the new house and try to control the mosquitoes, instead. Spending $2000 or $3000 on equipment and several hundred dollars a year on supplies is still less expensive than the screen room. Plus, I get the benefit of using all of the property, rather than being held prisoner inside the screen room by the bugs. On the other hand, the screen room is passive and require no effort, while insect control will be an ongoing challenge.
If I get tired of the battle, I'll write off the mosquito control stuff as a failed attempt and build the screen room later.
But, more intriguing was this one, which is apparently completely automatic, dispenses mist in all directions and appears pretty effective. I could put 5 of these around the property for the cost of 2 mosquito magnets, and the maintenance costs appear to be quite a bit less. Anyone have any experience with them?
The reason these fairly expensive solutions are within my budget is because of a construction decision we're making. In Florida, most swimming pools are enclosed within an elaborate screen room to keep out the bugs. This one is probably typical, and a little smaller than what we would need for our new home.
They are very pricey; $10,000 is not at all unusual. However, they have disadvantages. They block out about 30% of the sun's energy, making it more difficult to heat the pool water without a pool heater. Plus, they're expensive to maintain -- I recently had my enclosure re-screened, and it was $2,000.
So, we've decided to forgo the pool enclosure on the new house and try to control the mosquitoes, instead. Spending $2000 or $3000 on equipment and several hundred dollars a year on supplies is still less expensive than the screen room. Plus, I get the benefit of using all of the property, rather than being held prisoner inside the screen room by the bugs. On the other hand, the screen room is passive and require no effort, while insect control will be an ongoing challenge.
If I get tired of the battle, I'll write off the mosquito control stuff as a failed attempt and build the screen room later.
One advantage of the screen room is that it keeps out a lot of the leaves etc. out of the pool which makes it easier to clean. Another advantage of the screen room is that it keeps out various critters out of the pool such as snakes, and other things that get in and cannot get out again.
But I am just a part year resident here and by no means a expert.
But I am just a part year resident here and by no means a expert.
You may not consider yourself an expert, but you're absolutely correct. We have eliminated pine trees from near the pool area, and our Live Oak leaves fall only once a year in fairly quick order. Also, without the screens, we won't have to worry about the pine needles, etc., that gets stuck in the screen, plus the dirt that washes out of the screen into the pool when it rains.REDDOGTWO said:
As for the critters, we may get 'em. However, our pool will be located in a raised deck that will eliminate some of them. We have a screen now, but we previously had a pool for 21 years without a screen. I learned to look carefully in the water before I jumped in. I once found a small coral snake in the pool...
Hello from Alaska,
Up here in Fairbanks, we know about mosquitos, we have various varieties too. First of the season we have the dive bombers ( wintered over, very hungry), they are as big as helicoptors and known to suck you dry as they fly off with you. My husband says I am wrong they are DC 6's. We also have millions of visitor mosquitos ( they feed off the vast array of visitors, unfortunately they do not discrimate and get us locals too!) and last but certainly not least we have billions of tiny but eager mosquitos ( they can even fit through screens!). There are times during the summer when all three are out in search of blood!! It got to the point that it was either take a bath in bug dope and then be able to be outside in our endless sun, or else stay inside! Alas, the greatest invention ever, the mosquito magnet!!!!! We first tried the Blue Rhino ( cost factor, it was cheaper). This unit used just propane. No electicity was needed which was another factor in choosing this unit. This unit quit working within the first month, mostly because of the extremely large catch of mosquitos. The blue rhino draws the mosquito to the unit by bait and heat. The mosquito is sucked into the unit by a fan, and then burns up on the heating unit. Well, we have so many mosquitos up here that the fan froze because of the amount of catch going through it and burned up the motor. We did notice a difference in the population around our rurual house though, even in that short time though!
So back to the drawing board... We then purchased the brand Mosquito Magnet...We are in our third year with this unit, last year we had our first garden and we were not feasted on like in the past...We have a beautiful deck that we can enjoy now. Bug dope is something we wear away from home!! Our catch is about half of a bag of dehyrdrated mosquitos a day, tapering off during the end of the summer. We have found that putting the unit out early May stops the repopulating of these annoying pests. Our neighbors purchase a mosquito magnet also, and we have noticed a large overall decrease in the population on our mountain...
This unit needs to have a electric cord attached to it along with the propane. It uses bait and heat like the first Blue rhino unit, but the fan draws the mosquito into a netting or bag, and then the heat kills them off over a period of time, so the fan and heating unit do not come into contact with the pesky buggers. You do have to replace the bait and fill it up with propane, but I for one LOVE this Mosquito killer!!!!
Hopes this helps!!
Loghomedweller
Up here in Fairbanks, we know about mosquitos, we have various varieties too. First of the season we have the dive bombers ( wintered over, very hungry), they are as big as helicoptors and known to suck you dry as they fly off with you. My husband says I am wrong they are DC 6's. We also have millions of visitor mosquitos ( they feed off the vast array of visitors, unfortunately they do not discrimate and get us locals too!) and last but certainly not least we have billions of tiny but eager mosquitos ( they can even fit through screens!). There are times during the summer when all three are out in search of blood!! It got to the point that it was either take a bath in bug dope and then be able to be outside in our endless sun, or else stay inside! Alas, the greatest invention ever, the mosquito magnet!!!!! We first tried the Blue Rhino ( cost factor, it was cheaper). This unit used just propane. No electicity was needed which was another factor in choosing this unit. This unit quit working within the first month, mostly because of the extremely large catch of mosquitos. The blue rhino draws the mosquito to the unit by bait and heat. The mosquito is sucked into the unit by a fan, and then burns up on the heating unit. Well, we have so many mosquitos up here that the fan froze because of the amount of catch going through it and burned up the motor. We did notice a difference in the population around our rurual house though, even in that short time though!
So back to the drawing board... We then purchased the brand Mosquito Magnet...We are in our third year with this unit, last year we had our first garden and we were not feasted on like in the past...We have a beautiful deck that we can enjoy now. Bug dope is something we wear away from home!! Our catch is about half of a bag of dehyrdrated mosquitos a day, tapering off during the end of the summer. We have found that putting the unit out early May stops the repopulating of these annoying pests. Our neighbors purchase a mosquito magnet also, and we have noticed a large overall decrease in the population on our mountain...
This unit needs to have a electric cord attached to it along with the propane. It uses bait and heat like the first Blue rhino unit, but the fan draws the mosquito into a netting or bag, and then the heat kills them off over a period of time, so the fan and heating unit do not come into contact with the pesky buggers. You do have to replace the bait and fill it up with propane, but I for one LOVE this Mosquito killer!!!!
Hopes this helps!!
Loghomedweller
thcri
Gone But Not Forgotten
Here is the web page for the Mosquito Magnet. Been thinking of getting one for our cabin for during the times there is not breeze or wind.
murph
murph
I use 100 gallons of malathion three times a year. That works great for me. The dogs don't get any ticks, fleas or other parasites and the humans don't get bothered by mosquitos while out on our wrap around porch. We used to have a bad problem with those Japanese beetles each year too. The malathion spraying seems to keep them in check as well. Heck, so far it I've managed to refrain from killing any of the frogs or fish in my lake. 
Junkman said:
I have a 70 or 80 gallon sprayer on a 3 pt. hitch that sprays around a 15 ft. wide path. I also have the ability to turn a valve and be able to use a wand sprayer as well. That works for getting those darn Japanese beetles once they are in my trees and to get up close to the house where I can't get with my tractor.
I know a lot of people don't like chemicals. I don't like bugs. As I mentioned, I've never lost any fish in my lake from run off and the frog population is extremely strong here. If I don't do it 3 times a year, the bugs seem to come back. Being that I've done this for over 10 years now, I really don't buy into someone telling me that I'm killing everything.
DAP
New member
Rico .. have owned and managed a couple of horses, goats for several years now, after talking with many folks around my area(s), I decided to save my money and invest in manure management.
That's the only thing that people seem to be having results with and the only thing I've done to manage the insects.
The gizmo's have gotten a reputation (from other animal owners I've talked to personally, and there have been plenty) as money poorly spent.
Manure management.
That's the only thing that people seem to be having results with and the only thing I've done to manage the insects.
The gizmo's have gotten a reputation (from other animal owners I've talked to personally, and there have been plenty) as money poorly spent.
Manure management.