Organic Mosquito Spraying

Just moved here, and I am covered in mosquito bites. Holy smokes- there sure are a lot of mosquitos (and brazen squirrels and chipmunks) here. I have been walking through the neighborhoods, and see many signs stuck in lawns with mosquito spraying companies info. I admit that I am a bit freaked out about spraying pesticides everywhere and then sitting in it. I don’t want to harm all the brazen furry creatures that visit me either. I see signs for one local organic mosquito sprayer. Does anyone know if that is nearly as effective as the nasty stuff? I had tried organic big spray (basically various oils) on myself and found it didn’t deter the mosquitos much, if at all, so I’m a bit skeptical ...

It is all nasty stuff.  You are better off checking your property for water sources such as clogged roof gutters, other areas where shallow water accumulates, high vegetation and leaf piles that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, etc.  See if that reduces or eliminates your problem before resorting to spraying.  Know too that the problem may not be on your property but on your neighbors.  If that is the case, spraying your own property won't accomplish much.  Good luck.

County mosquito control people will treat if they determine it’s indicated. My neighbor did this. She contacted them.  They showed up, looked around, then returned to truck for equipment, and sprayed. Their website used to list what specific products they used, but I don’t see it now.

http://ecdpw.org/mosquito_control.php

dickf3 said:

County mosquito control people will treat if they determine it’s indicated. My neighbor did this. She contacted them.  They showed up, looked around, then returned to truck for equipment, and sprayed. Their website used to list what specific products they used, but I don’t see it now.

http://ecdpw.org/mosquito_control.php

Zero information about exactly what chemical is used to control the mosquitoes.  I'd use the county as a last resort.  

This is what I've been using - it has seemed to be somewhat effective, it's basically garlic juice:

http://www.mosquitobarrier.com/

I think I'm due for a respray.  They say each spray last 3-4 weeks, but if there's a heavy rain - you may need to reapply.  I think one issue I've had is that my hose sprayer isn't releasing enough of the solution - it's get clogs sometimes.  The say for a hose sprayer you need to strain the concentrate.

This works well, but only if you’re stationary, like sitting on a deck: use an electric fan.

The top speed of a mosquito is under 1 mph, so if you have a reasonably strong fan that covers most of your body, like a box fan, the lil bast@rds can’t land on you. And you’ll be cooler. 

I agree. Use a fan if you have an outside electrical outlet. Mosquitoes don't fly good. They can't fly against a wind current.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

I agree. Use a fan if you have an outside electrical outlet. Mosquitoes don't fly good. They can't fly against a wind current.

 This!  We are under construction this year so have no backyard, but normally I keep one or two box fans handy and run them on the back patio/deck - both to help keep cool and discourage the mosquitoes.

Welcome to NJ!  And remember, the state bird is the mosquito.  (And if not ours, it's Minnesota's.)

dianaid said:

Welcome to NJ!  And remember, the state bird is the mosquito.  (And if not ours, it's Minnesota's.)

 LOL!

(But actually it's the American Goldfinch!)

BTW - Bats eat mosquitos so maybe put up a bathouse in your yard.