Mosquito control in a palm garden

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Palm growing is synonymous with mosquito infestations..

My shadehouse and front yard are overrun with mosquitoes...

They threaten my well being.

I want them to all die.

Is there a spray? Maybe natural predators I can attract somehow (besides Gambusia affinis since I have no pond... yet )? How do you control mosquito populations in your palmy paradise?

[rozpalm]

Bill, until this year I just put up with it and didn't venture into the garden at dusk. I have tried lots of different things from mosquito catcher to citronella torches. None worked all that well, so I just figured I would learn to deal with it. That was until this year. Things got so bad that I could not even work in the garden during the day without being torn apart. I had a fan on me all the time and bug spray and I was still getting bitten. Never had that happened before. That's when I noticed that the mosquito doing the biting looked like a zebra.

When I looked up the mosquito on the Internet, I saw that it was something called an Asian Tiger Mosquito. My yard was infested with them and according to what I read, palm gardens favor this mosquito (they lay their eggs in the areas of the palm that retain water), so no doubt I created the problem or at least contributed to it. Now I am not big into insecticide, but I was at my wits end with these things. So I ended up calling my pest control company and challenged them to fix the problem. They had a couple techs come out and walk the property and reluctantly took the challenge (I say challenge becuase my backyard is a 1acre jungle on a fresh water lake). What ever they did worked! No dead palms, including the Tahina's and next to no Mosquito's. I still see lots of bees and dragon flys, so there appears to be very little damage to the beneficial insects, with the exception of the spiders.

I can actually sit out in my yard at dusk and not get bitten.

[Walter John]

from whence do they come ? where are they breeding ?

[_Keith]

Here is the chemical the professionals use and a place to get it.

http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/pyrethrin.htm

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

Another reason for others to hate us.

I haven't been bitten by a skeeter in my palm garden in at least a year, that I remember anyway.

The secret is dry, or hiding under a net. . . . . .

[Gbarce]

I've never tried it but Citronella Plants and Neem trees are suppose to ward off mosquitos.

But I don't think that mosquitos specifically prefer palms do they? Its more about the availability of stagnant water where they can lay their eggs. My Bromeliad area generate a higher concentration of mosqitos over here.

[SubTropicRay]

Bill,

Deet has become a good friend. I have to spray myself down to be in the garden for any length of time. It can't be good for you so I use it sparingly.

Do Bromeliads breed mosquito larvae or not? I've heard people say yes but many Bromeliad enthusiasts say this is fiction.

Ray

[PalmGuyWC]

One of the beauties of living in N. Calif. is that we have very few Mosquitoes. We only seem to have them in the Spring with the first warm days and there is still water sitting around from the winter rains. As summer approaches the water evaporates and no breeding places for Mosquitoes. I'm carefull to not have pales of water sitting around in the Spring because if I do, they are filled with Mosquito larva.

On those few spring evenings when it's warm and Mosquitoes are present, I spray Deet above my head, hold my breath, and let it settle down on my exposed skin and clothes. The Mosquitoes stay away. We have West Nile Virus in my county, so I try to avoid Mosquitoe bites.

I used to live in Miami, and I know how peskey the bugs can be. I used to live near the Bay in Miami and when the sand flys moved in, I fled for the house. They are so small they can come in through a screen, and their bites do sting. The only way to eliminate them was to close all the windows and turn on the air conditioning and that seemed to kill them, almost instantly.

Dick

[TikiRick]

Actually I have found that YARD GUARD does really work. I didn't belive it, but even with wind, it does work. Now I can sit out at sunset and swat off the iguanas instead of the mosquitos.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

  rozpalm said:

the mosquito doing the biting looked like a zebra.

I just thought they were wearing warpaint or something...

[PalmGuyWC]

Rick,

I thought you were so tough that a mosquito couldn't penetrate your skin. I'll trade you dozens of squirrles for an Iguana. My squirrles are so hungry they start chewing away at the spathes before they even open.

Dick

[fiji jim]

Diluting and spraying Listerine around your yard will keep mossies away for a couple of weeks if it does not rain.

Deet is rather toxic to humans.

Neem oil works but interferes with female hormones and leaves you sticky and smelling like a mix of garlic and onion.

Drinking plenty of alcohol makes your blood less attractive to them.

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

A good day here on the island is when there are fewer than twenty skeeters on each leg....out here we don't use Deet, we use a squeegee.

[_Keith]

  fiji jim said:

Drinking plenty of alcohol makes your blood less attractive to them.

You sure about this one? By that standard, I shouldn't have a mosquito within 100 yards of me.

And I promise you, if there is one mosquito in a football stadium filled to capacity, he will bite me first.

[Ken Johnson]

Oh Pious One.

Ever try a fogger. I mean old school, deisel fuel and malathion dripped onto a hot muffler!

[_Keith]

  Ken Johnson said:

Oh Pious One.

Ever try a fogger. I mean old school, deisel fuel and malathion dripped onto a hot muffler!

Ken, I'll show my age. That reminds me of carb cleaners. You used the rev the car up, and pour this stuff down the carb, and the smoke could be seen for miles.

Wonder if that would work with malathion/diesel. Back up the car with the exhaust shootinig into the shadehouse. Pour the diesel/malathion mixture down the shoot while revving that baby.

Finding a car with a carb, might be harder than getting rid of the mosquitos.

Oh, and if anyone tries this, I assume no responsibility for the damage to the engine. (but I bet it would work)

[ariscott]

Unfortunately mosquito is a part of tropical gardening. The shadier it is, the more mozzie you have, especially if you have large foliage trees or plants, like heliconias, bananas, etc, etc. I usually have citronella candles or torches around the sitting area. Otherwise, just cover yourself with mozzie repellent.

Regards, Ari

[FRITO]

I remeber reading that the coffee ground sprinkled or squirted around works good because its acidic and isnt very condusive for mosquitos to lay larvae in that type of water. like sprinkle it is your bromiliads and other places water naturally collects

[Jeff Searle]

  Keith from So. Louisiana said:

Here is the chemical the professionals use and a place to get it.

http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/pyrethrin.htm

This is our second summer since buying our fogger. It definitely does the trick. Were on 2.1 acres, so it takes maybe about 45 minutes to do the whole yard. The secret is to do it right before it gets dark and on a very still night. The less breeze, the better. We notice by the third day or so, their back. We usualy only do it if we know company is coming over.

Jeff

[rozpalm]

I don't know if you're allowed to name companies so if this is a no-no, please tell me and I'll delete the name. Anyhow, I had Hulett spray my yard. They come once a month and the treatment lasts the entire month. I didn't believe it would work but so far its working very well. You can walk through my yard at dusk and not get bitten and it keeps working even with all the rain we have been having. I would guess they use the stuff Kieth mentioned above but they claim they mix it with an agent that binds it to the biological material and kills the mosquitoes as they return to their resting spots. I am extremely impressed with this service and at this point would recommend it to others.

There is also this stuff at HD that comes in an bottle with an orange cap that works ok (I think its made by Off!). One treatment lasts about a week and a half.

That is a great pic of an Asian Tiger. They do look like they are wearing war paint on.

[Tyrone]

A couple of years back we went to Malaysia during the northern summer, and went walking in the rainforest. We may have seen a couple of mosquitoes the whole time we were there. However when we got home in the middle of winter, and went for a walk in my own "rainforest" the mosquitoes attacked us from all areas within a few minutes. I have two ponds which are loaded with white cloud mountain minnows which I don't feed. They have to eat whatever lands in there and they thrive. I think that you don't neccesarily need wrigglers present to have mosquitoes, you just need an environment which they like. In my case there are no densely planted gardens for a long way around, so they come to my garden to socialise and annoy people. When we have people over we use coils and insect repellant which works. It's the curse of a well greened canopy garden in a warm climate unfortunately. My concern is the possibility of Ross River Virus being transmitted by them, which is potentially a problem here.

regards

Tyrone

[Gbarce]

  Ray Tampa said:

Bill,

Deet has become a good friend. I have to spray myself down to be in the garden for any length of time. It can't be good for you so I use it sparingly.

Do Bromeliads breed mosquito larvae or not? I've heard people say yes but many Bromeliad enthusiasts say this is fiction.

Ray

I guess it depends on the type. I mostly have Neoregelias which are "tank bromeliads" and I always see wrigglers in the cups. But I think they are also suppose to attract other animals like tree frogs that eat mosquitos and their larvae-- balance of nature. But still my verdict is that there are more skeeters around these "water sources"

As for palms though I think there are just as many mosquitos as with ordinary bushy plants.

[palmmermaid]

I've used Yard Guard and it works pretty well. Keeping the grass mowed also helps along with no standing water. In the water troughs for my horses I keep one of those Dunk doughnuts. It seems to keep them out of the water troughs. I am also planting wax myrtles around my barn area. These contain pyrethrins and help keep them out of the stalls. In the old South, these were planted to keep fleas and mosquitos at bay.

Just a bit of trivia. It is only the breeding females who bite. Seems they need the protein in blood to make their eggs! So we just need to get rid of all the females.

[gsn]

Another thing regarding the OLD south, is that old timers used to drink primarily well water.

Most of these wells contained alot of sulfur. The sulfur exuding from ones body had a deterant effect on the mosquitoes. Of course there were trade offs,you sweated YELLOW, stained eveything,and you smelled a little of rotten eggs,but you didn't get bit as much.

So if you can't beat them, anyone having company or clients over to ones home and garden, just request they drink sulfur water about 3 weeks to a month before they visit, problem solved!

Edited July 25, 2008 by gsn

[junglegalfla]

I hate spraying myself with Deet. I think I may be allergic as it makes my skin hot and rashy. I have found no other product to be more effective as thermacell. Best part is...no spraying yourself or yard with chemicals.

http://www.mosquitorepellent.com/

[MattyB]

Spray some ammonia around. Animals/insects don't like it and it breaks down into nitrogen. Completely safe.

[palmmermaid]

Matt,

I like the ammonia idea. I haven't tried that but will certainly do so. I don't like to use chemicals.

[MattyB]

Ammonia completely solved our flea problem at our previous house. I sprayed it on the lawns. My grandpa swears by it for just about any rodent or pest problem, ie rats & skunks & possums.

[_Keith]

  MattyB said:

Ammonia completely solved our flea problem at our previous house. I sprayed it on the lawns. My grandpa swears by it for just about any rodent or pest problem, ie rats & skunks & possums.

Products, ratios, strengths, details my man, details.

[Carlo Morici]

  rozpalm said:

When I looked up the mosquito on the Internet, I saw that it was something called an Asian Tiger Mosquito.

If you have got Aedes albopictus, then this is the end my friend. The Asian Tiger Mosquito got to Northern Italy in 1994, and it started to move Southwards. 10 years later it invaded the whole country. It reached Sicily, cruised So.France and reached NE Spain. It is unstoppable and it is now "eating" So.Europe. Now it is "going down" through the E coast of Spain. It can breed in a glass of water. My garden in Sicily became a hell. Italians tried anything with little success. After about 3 years in Sicily things got better, once the local bats became more and more.

It is also the vector of many deadly tropical diseases

[Really full garden]

I worked for Disney at one time and they used spearmint oil in small foggers.It was applied in the early morning along all the paths and under foliage( all the places where mosquitoes dwell)everyday.It seemed to work very well and was very safe.It does leave a very minty scent though.

[_Keith]

I think by last count, Louisiana had 17 different species of mosquitoes, including the Asian Tiger. I won't say it can't get annoying after a rainy period in the summer, but in the end, life is still good.

And mosquitos aren't just about the tropics. In Siberia they will carry you away.

btw - We have some of the world's best experts in mosquito abatement here. My team won a national award for our mosquito abatement management software.

[MattyB]

Great idea Scott. If Disney uses it, you know it works. They don't mess around.

Keith, straight ammonia. Spray it around. Easy peasy.

[_Keith]

I get a weekly email newsletter from The Dirt Doctor. Website at the bottom.

Coincidentally, that was the topic. Now, the forewarning, he is ultra organic. I do not endorse this, but an just passing it along. - keith

Dirt Doctor Weekly Newsletter

MOSQUITO CONTROL

We do not recommend any products that contain DEET. The reasons are addressed in a rather neutral way in the following web site. Click here

My personal opinions are stronger, especially since there are organic controls that work as well and better in some cases. Some of the effective body repellents are as follows:

Personal Treatment

Straight Vanilla - dabbed on the skin or clothing as needed.

Vanilla Mix - 8 oz. water, 2 tsp. vanilla extract and 1 tsp. orange oil. Spray on skin and clothing liberally.

Some gardeners have also recommended Watkins Vanilla hand/body lotion. The commercial product Cactus Juice is effective for many people, also the Cedar-Cide products.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus - a natural repellent that works by dabbing full strength on exposed skin or clothing.

Site Treatment

To spray and attempt to control adult mosquitoes with pyrethroids, pyrethrum, pyrethrins or any other toxic chemical inorganic or organic products is not advised. We do recommend sprays of garlic, citronella and other non-toxic herbal products. Homeowners can spray and kill adult mosquitoes with plant oil pesticides such as Bioganics and Eco-EXEMPT. Garlic sprays work well to repel the insects for up to 14 days. Dr. T’s Mosquito Repellent is a good dry product and dry granulated garlic from the grocery store is one of the most effective choices to use at 1 to 2 lbs. per 1000 square feet in beds, turf, pots, plants and other areas. It can repel mosquitoes for up to four weeks. The best combination is to spray liquid garlic and broadcast dry garlic.

Water Treatment

To treat mosquito larvae in water, we do not recommend oils or toxic pesticides. What we do recommend is Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis) and other botanical products. They don’t hurt animals or even the other insects like dragonflies that help with the mosquito control.

Overall Mosquito Control Recommendations

Empty standing water where possible. Even small containers such as pot saucers, old tires, soda bottles and cans which can hold enough water for mosquito breeding.

Use organic landscape management to encourage birds, bats, fish, dragonflies and other beneficial insects.

Summary

The best treatments for mosquito control and protection are:

1. Non-toxic herbal treatments for skin and clothes.

2. Bti products for standing water.

3. Dry granulated garlic and liquid sprays for site treatment.

Dry Granulated Garlic: available at grocery stores,

Asian markets and other food suppliers.

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter or any other topic, join me for my radio show heard in Dallas/Fort Worth on Saturday at 11am and across the country on Sunday from 8 - 11am (CST). Radio

Naturally yours,

Howard Garrett

The Dirt Doctor

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[realarch]

Interesting, I've got some experimenting to do. At dusk the mosquitos in Hilo are relentless although the bite and itching only lasts for a short while.

I can relate Keith, one mosquito in a sold out stadium and it will bite me 10 times. Oh gee, I can hardly wait until the tiger skeeter makes the trip to Hawaii.

The vanilla / orange oil concoction sounds interesting and smelling like a 'Dreamsicle' would have it's upsides.

Tim

[Scott]

I've heard that including vinegar in your diet will turn them off of you - I guess they can smell it in your blood or something.

But I would stick with some of the suggestions already made...

[Utopia Palms]

  On 7/24/2008 at 4:48 PM, PiousPalms said:

  rozpalm said:

the mosquito doing the biting looked like a zebra.

I just thought they were wearing warpaint or something...

Clayton has probably had every know MOZZIE VIRUS.

And suffered CHRONICALLY for around 5 years awhile back.

Could go on..........about that.

I mananged to avoid this. [ may have been something he picked up in his travels]

I did alot of research on this and you are most likely to be immune to your local garden variety viruses.......it is when you go for a BBQ or the like you a suspetible to that new strain or you are not prepared with protection.

I have come across a receipe that works a treat and cheap and BETTER THAN THE COMMERICALLY AVAILABLE PRODUCTS.

Last for hours even longer than the commerical products.

one third of each of the following in atemiser gun

detol

metho

olive oil

AND BE SMART AROUND DAWN AND DUSK. .......most of the nasty mozzie are around then. [ some still during the day.]

And can you believe it IT IS THE GIRL MOZZIE'S that carry the NASTY VIRUSES !

Be safe

I have found that it is the leaf litter and ferns along the creek hide the mozzies in our garden. Some where there a little pools of water and high high humidity. Little air movement.

Not the bromelaides strangley enough.

[Just1MorePalm]

Second vote for coffee grounds...

I use coffee grounds and it seems to work well on the So Cal mosquito...granted this is not the jurassic type you grow in Florida but it seems to help here...

My Bromiliads will get wigglers in the tank if I don't sprinkle coffee in them...I also spread it around the planters pretty heavily and it keeps the ants away as well as the aphids and slugs...My neighbors cat stays away as well...

the best part...Its free and organic...

Spread it on the floor, under the drip areas and in any place water collects, it will help...If you sprinkle some on your soft seedlings it's ok...

This may help you create a green zone free of Mosquitos...

[PalmGuyWC]

I recommend DEET and a liberal supply of vodka. If you drink enough vodka you won't feel the bites anyway. As a last resort go inside and turn on the AC.

Dick

[Don]

I'll add one more to the list above, Skin So Soft by Avon, not a bug can bite thru it Marine Corps tested