Question:
I'm looking for ideas for controlling my massive mosquito population,
preferably without spraying chemicals. I have no standing water, but I'm
in zone 8, and have massive amounts of shade and lots of ivy. We've been
in a bit of a drought lately, but I've been watering regularly and it seems
like every mosquito in the neighborhood has moved over here. I'm planning
to put up some bat houses, but there must be other ideas out there.
Companion plants? Animal-safe sprays I can make up here at home?
My first frost is still two or three months away--any suggestions
appreciated.
Answer:
- Bats and swallows will eat an remarkable number of insects. The swallows
get them during the day, and the bats at night.
I have also heard of an electric mosquito catcher. It emits CO2 and a bit
of heat.
-I've heard of these too, and I've heard of CO2 dispensers as attachments
for regular UV Bug zappers, but I've never seen one advertised, or in any
store. If anyone knows of a source for these please post it.
I have thought about suspending dry ice inside my bug zapper, and turning
off the lamp so I didn't attract beneficials, but never set up the
experiment. (Minimum order for Dry Ice is something like 10 lbs. and I
don't have a way to store it)
