I was just talking with a co-worker... both of us are already seeing mosquitoes. Anyone else noticing them? Last year was really bad for them and I remember talk here about mosquito trucks not making the rounds of neighborhoods for quite some time. I'm wondering if we should take some extra steps this year to combat them--or if extra steps will even help. Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject?
Wet spring and mosquitos
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already seen them in puddles. If the spray trucks are as late as last year, get the anti-itch stuff ready.
While weeding and planting seeds last week I started getting bitten by mosquitoes for the first time this year. The gnats, midges, and other flying insects have also been rather abundant so far.
As far as preparations: I am largely in the "let 'em be" camp, and my only preventive measure is to eliminate standing water from being a breeding ground for more insects. If we have company in an evening, I will light the citronella lamps and start a fire in the chiminea, but I personally am not much of a DEET fan. I also figure that the occasional dose of mosquito-transmitted pathogens is like a free inoculation, but admittedly I am in the minority here, and if dengue or malaria ever make it to this region, I will probably change my tune.
Be sure to check that gutters are clear of debris, as these can be an overlooked breeding ground for mosquitoes. Longer grass and overgrown bushes offer more places for mosquitoes to hide during the day, so keep your landscaping well maintained. Remember too that making a bird-friendly yard can be one of the best tools to reduce mosquitoes, as many common birds will eat mosquitoes in addition to their usual diet.
posted by historymike on May 16, 2011 at 10:55:42 am # 1 person liked this
I was quite surprised to be bitten my a mosquito on Friday while weeding the garden. That's when I realized that those flying insects weren't just the gnats and such but all mosquitoes. It seems very early for them, but would explain why the martins that live a couple of doors down are spending a lot of time swooping and soaring low over our yard and gardens.
This does not bode well for evenings on the deck, even with all the citronella candles, lanterns, etc.... I'll probably try the new Off clip-on repellant thingy I saw advertised the other day.
posted by MaggieThurber on May 16, 2011 at 11:02:30 am #
Went to Oak Openings Friday evening and came back welted with bites. They're really bad out there.
posted by justareviewer on May 16, 2011 at 11:39:37 am #
My husband came across a wonderful gadget years ago and it has works miracles for us. We have heavy wooded property with a lot of standing water. We almost never used the deck because of the heavy Mosquitos until we found this attachment for our leaf blower that turns it into a fogged. We use some mosquito spray concentrate that we get at TSC, fogged every few days and it cuts down on 95% of the mosquitos. It has made a world of difference.
already have them bad in the old west end. personally i'm not a fan of the toxic sprays so i let em bite away.
posted by upso on May 16, 2011 at 01:02:01 pm # 2 people liked this
I haven't seen mosquitoes yet, but my neighborhood is swarming with midges. I can't even open my front door without hundreds flying in. I've lived here over 20 years and I've never seen anything like this. Anyone know how long these freaking bugs will hang around? I can't take much more.
posted by shortysmom on May 28, 2011 at 06:26:08 pm #
I was out tonight planting in the yard for maybe an hour and was eaten alive! We live in the University area and it is mozzies to the max!
We never did get Snow-ocalpse... instead we got Rain-ocalpse.
posted by OhioKimono on May 28, 2011 at 08:12:59 pm #
Yeah, they really are bad this year. I got bitten up so bad last weekend when I planted my vegetables that I made sure not to plant after 5 p.m. in the future. I don't like doing the toxic thing, either. I just get rid of any standing water. I even went into my neighbor's yard to tip over containers filled with rain water.
posted by bikerdude on May 28, 2011 at 09:54:25 pm # 1 person liked this
HUGE, HUGE mosquito hatch earlier this past week here in the Point. Woke up Tuesday morning to find my white garage doors black with mosquitoes. Have had the same event each morning since. I can't walk outside without inhaling them they are so thick.
Think I'll drag out the fogger this morning.
Foodie, those are probably midges that are covering your doors. We've had the same thing in West Toledo over the past week. On Friday evening/Saturday morning, we had a big swarm of midges around our front porch lights and garage door lights.
This past week on Tuesday evening, most of Wednesday, Thursday evening, and Friday evening, we had winds from the North to the East. Maybe the midges are blowing in from Lake Erie. If so, it could be a sign of a healthy lake.
The midges don't last long. It's a short-term mess. And if the midges are a sign of a healthy, local environment, then I welcome the mess.
From the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America:
Midges can be among the most abundant of insects and are frequently mistaken for mosquitoes. Their resting posture, with front legs held up and forward, identifies them (mosquitoes often lift the hind legs at rest). Many midges form large swarms, often at dusk, usually males only, over lakes and above tall objects. The feathery antennae of males are sensitive to the high-pitched wingbeats of females. At night both sexes often flock to light. Most larval midges live in aquatic habitats, even at the bottom of deep lakes (including down to 1,000 feet in Lake Superior). They typically feed on organic debris or microscopic plants and animals.
good info. I think I have midges around the garage, attracted to light also.
Midges are better than mayflies....
posted by MaggieThurber on May 29, 2011 at 09:50:47 am #
Don't they (midges) kind of look like mayflies? Only much smaller? They HAVE been awful this year, and they did appear around my house last week around the time the wind was coming in off the lake.
I had my back porch light on the other night because I was gone until after dark. When I opened up the back door, there were so many of them hovering around the light under my awning that it sounded like it was raining (which it wasn't--for once).
Valbee - mayflies have very large wings and long narrow bodies. Here's a link to a photo:
posted by MaggieThurber on May 29, 2011 at 10:08:30 am #
Sounds silly, but Avons "Skin so Soft" works great. Friends up in MI who have alot of woods introduced me to it.
Yep - I've heard of the "Skin-so-Soft" trick. I'll bet Avon sells a ton of it!
I am wearing some Skin so Soft as I type this.
My biggest issue with the city spraying in our neighborhoods is there really isn't much of a heads up so that we can close the windows. I'd like to keep as much of that poison out of the house as possible.
posted by toledolen_ on May 29, 2011 at 12:54:57 pm #
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