Skeeters, gnats and flies..oh, my!

Question

Help--we are being eaten alive and find ourselves constantly swatting the air every time we step outside whether it is to do yard work or just head to the car. We even resorted to using Sevin and Bayer to spray the lawn and into the trees but they only lasted for about a week or until it rained. 
 Is there a better solution; one that won't challenge the gardens, my dog or need repeating every week? 
 We had so hoped to build an outdoor sitting area this year but if this is a predictor of the summer ahead, there's no way we would be able to enjoy it. 
 Help! Any and all comments or suggestions are appreciated--thank you.

Adrianne C · Answer

They breed in anything that holds water, even leaves. They can stay dormant for months and hatch out at next rainfall. They come out at dawn and dusk mainly. In Florida, we have a state funded Mosquito Control to try to control them and have some informative websites. http://www.floridamosquito.org/Home/

Jeanette S · Answer

I am almost afraid to mention our method because every time a post comes up using chemicals, so many get upset. But folks, it is down to us or the bugs...I am choosing us! In sprayer hooked to water hose, put half and half lemon scented dishwashing liquid and lemon scented ammonia. When bubbles stop, refill and continue. Spray underneath bushes, up on roof to drain through gutters, flower pots, etc. If you like sitting outside, gets some box fans...they can't fly in the wind! I have read that they have a range of only about 200 feet from where they are born.

Michele Eures · Answer

I agree, Jeanette. We have a right to enjoy the fresh air and outdoors without being dinner for the teams of insects. My husband has a fogger that he uses when they get bad and it does reduce their numbers.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

I have tried garlic granules for the yard for mosquitos, I've tried the Off brand to hook up to the water hose, I've tried the mosquitos plants & lemon grass, I've tried some solution I found on Pinterest to trap them, I've tried other kind of granules to also rid of mosquitos. I'm willing to try Jeanette's solution if it won't hurt the plants. I wish I could afford the mosquitos misters.

Adrianne C · Answer

I'm about to get out my fogger!

Dawn Becker · Answer

I just moved to a heavy mosquito area on the gulf coast.  I'm willing to try almost anything.  Does this hurt plants or animals?

Lynn · Answer

We weren't able to enjoy our pergola during bug season until we installed a ceiling fan. Sometimes just a slight breeze is enough to push those delicate little terrors away.

Dawn Dyar · Answer

Then there is always Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil. It is well known to deter the mosquitos although it can't be advertised in that way. I love the way it makes me feel, good for my skin, and the smell is refreshing. If you google the uses for it, you will find people use it on their pets also. ) www.yourAvon.com/ddyar On sale this campaign at a great price of $6.99 product code 462913 Campaign 14. I ordered 20 to have in stock and the great news for me was, they ran out of that size and have bonus sized it up. Yay for me. Hope this helps.

Carol G · Answer

my worst pests ARE FLIES! I have a fan on my porch but that does not deter them. Does any one have a solution for flies?

Carol G · Answer

I tried putting bags of water and that does not help!

Carolyn Ross · Answer

No one has mentioned pots of scented geranium - the cintronella variety, in particular, repells the bugs and smells really nice whenever you brush against it, it's a very pretty plant and will bloom too.  You can easily take cuttings to start new plants and keep them indoors over the Winter for the next year too.  I like the Off! brand clipon bug repellant because it repells the mosquitos without having to resort to spraying bug repellant all over myself.  Another option that was mentioned was setting up a fan while you're outdoors since the breeze keeps the mosquitoes away, while cooling you :-)

Dallas G · Answer

I made up a Mixture of essential oils in a spray bottle yesterday to try on my dogs. The flies were  driving them nuts. Be careful not to spray around their eyes. I sprayed on their ears and back of neck and in a few minutes they were smiling because they were not snapping at flies any longer.

Chuck · Answer

My wife is a mosquito magnet. She can be out in the yard and within moments she's bitten. So yesterday when she was going to go out to pick blueberries I encouraged her to put neem oil on her exposed skin, to see if it would keep the mosquitoes off her. She came in about a half hour later...not one bite. I know that the smell is not the greatest (it's kind of a nutty smell) but the oil is good for your skin and you can shower off the smell later. I haven't tried putting some essential oil in it to make it more acceptable, but not getting bit is worth the sacrifice.

ByLightOfMoon · Answer

great chart too, I adore the oils too!
Smiles, cyndi

Lynn · Answer

Our grandkids were here in Houston (mosquito heaven) last month and we discovered a fast relief once you are bitten. Place a spoon in a cup of hot water (not boiling) and when heated hold firmly over welt.....1-2 minutes. Stops the itching and it usually didn't come back. (the heat breaks down the protein in the stuff the mosquitoes inject in you to thin your blood) We also have a ceiling fan which helps, but not for kids running all about the yard! ha

Patricia · Answer

I'm a mosquito magnet too and the only way I can work or sit outside in summer is with a fan trained on me. No chemicals, just an extension cord and a fan. Wish I'd discovered it a lot sooner, since now I'm not applying chemicals to my skin and not spraying my organic garden, but haven't had a bite in over a year!

When gardening, I use 2 old fans trained on me--keeps me much cooler and the mosquitos just give up due to the 'wind' :D

Barbara · Answer

Were you all aware that eating bananas will draw mosquitos to you? It is true.
We had mosquito problems until a couple of bats adopted our patio & deck as their habitat. They are a bit messy, but I'd rather clean-up some debris than be eaten alive.

Teresa Alger · Answer

Read in the newspaper: mix 1 c. Apple cider vinegar with 1c. Water. Add peppermint or lavender oil in a spray bottle. Spray around outside area. Gonna try this out!

Briana McKinnon · Answer

Do you have standing/stagnant water near you? a lake? make sure there are no pots or containers holding rain water. Most of those pesky bugs lay their eggs in water, so they also tend to hang around where the stagnant water is.

Barb Lesiak · Answer

I have a method I learned somewhere on line.

One plastic soda bottle.  Cut the top half off (you will invert back into the bottle)  bottom portion of the bottle should be black - if not, then spray paint the outside black.

I cup hot water and 1/4 cup brown sugar.  When sugar water has cooled, pour into the plastic bottle.  Add one packet of YEAST.  Do not stir - just put it in to bottle.  Replace the top inverted into the bottom so the cap part is facing down.  You may want to just tape the side a bit to keep it secure.  Put it outside... the 'brewing' yeast attracts the mosquitoes.  I have several around my deck - replace every couple of weeks or so.

Jim Lambert · Answer

Pure shea butter works wonders - I buy it from Shea Butter Secrets and it works! PLUS it's all natural - that's for you - for the garden - plant up a carnivorous plant bog (really easy) see my site, and it will also naturally get rid of those pests -

Joanne williamson · Answer

This is good even for babies and pets..4 cups water...1 1/2 cups rosemary...Boil and steep for 20 minutes then add 2 tablespoones of white vinegar..Put in a spray bottle..Use instead of OFF etc..

Rose · Answer

I haven't had a bug bite since I started using handmade patchouli bar soap. I use it every time I bath and no more bug bites. I purchase it online at allgoodthingshandmade.com

Lori Otto · Answer

Hickory Ridge sells Skeeter Beater Shea Butter hard lotion and Skeeter Beater Soap that works great for me. Only $4.50 each. I have been very pleased. I bought it on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Natural-Handmade-Skeeter-Beater-Bug-Repellent-Soap-Hickory-Ridge-Soaps-/121282714299?roken=cUgayN

Liliana Wells · Answer

I read this somewhere, but I have not tried it yet.
To make 3 oz mix 1 1/2 oz. water and vodka or alcohol in a small bottle. Add (40 drops total)
15 drops citronella essential oil
 - 15 drops eucalyptus oil
 - 5 drops lemon grass
 - 5 drops lavender
Shake and spray on yourself or your clothing. Shake every time you use it, so the oils mix with the water and alcohol.

Ellen Stucker · Answer

I recently read to mix in a 16 oz. spray bottle: 15 drops of essential lavender oil; 3 to 4 Tablespoons of vanilla extract; 1/4 cup lemon juice, then fill the rest of the bottle up with water. Shake & spray topically or you can spray the area. It is said to work in the world where mosquitos are the worst. So far it has worked for me, but the vanilla has seemed overwhelming,& I like vanilla!

Shelley S · Answer

I take Brewers Yeast and haven't had a bite in years.

Judy · Answer

We have tons of mosquitoes here also. If you're going for an outdoor sitting area a fan or two, aimed at the seats will work fine since they don't like a breeze. They also don't like oil on the skin so any type of body oil will keep them from biting but if you miss a single square inch of flesh or neglect the part in your hair, they will find it! You will need to reapply it every 1/2 hour or so. They are also repelled by any lemony scent, which is why citronella helps. We're diligent in keeping water containers dumped & refilled regularly but unfortunately, we can't compel the neighbors to do the same so there is still an abundance of the nasty blood suckers here. There are certain plants that are said to repel mosquitoes so a few hanging baskets or planters wouldn't hurt. http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/ Good luck!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Some good 'organic' recipes - always better than chemicals.

Jane R. · Answer

Lots of good advice here. I'm going to try a few and see which one works best. Thanks to all.

Skeeters, gnats and flies..oh, my!

Suggested Project Book

30 Of The Best DIY Mirror Projects Ever Made

Other

More

Skeeters, gnats and flies..oh, my!

Suggested Project Book

Related Discussions