Ten Ways to Wipe Out Mosquitoes and Four Worthless Measures

If you've ever wondered which mosquito control methods work and which ones will
simply drain your pocketbook, read on for a comprehensive summary of the good, t
he bad and the dangerous.
1.) Get an industrial grade fan for your patio or deck. Mosquitoes have weak, fr
agile wings. They are easily swept away by changing currents.
2.) Remove any standing water from the property. Plastic pools, bird baths, buck
ets, ditches and puddles are all excellent places for mosquitoes to breed. You'l
l also want to clear clogged gutters and pipes.
3.) Look into cedar oil. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes cedar oil
as the number one biological insect control agent, proven superior to chemical
counterparts. Various spray and fogging techniques are used to control a wide va
riety of insect infestations on commercial farms and neighborhood lots. More in
formation at http://www.bugshateit.com
4.) Drink frozen or heavily iced beverages to lower your body temperature and di
minish sweating. The carbon monoxide you expel while breathing increases with he
at and exercise, guiding mosquitoes to your vicinity. Your personal heat and bod
y odor contribute to the cycle, making you more attractive than other candidates
in the yard.
5.) Deodorize your feet. If you favor sandals and flip flops over socks and tenn
is shoes, beware that exposed feet give off a powerful odor which attracts mosqu
itoes. Try a good unscented powder to control foot moisture.
6.) Look into lemon eucalyptus oil. The U.S. Center for Disease Control issued a
statement in 2008 recommending lemon eucalyptus equally to deet for mosquito co
ntrol. The primary disadvantage with lemon eucalyptus is that it's normally sold
in small bottles as a personal insect repellent. Cedar oil solutions are availa
ble in gallon-sized containers and wholesale concentrates, making them much more
cost effective for treatment with fogging machines and wide area sprayers.
7.) Cover up! It may sound obvious, but the most horrifying mosquito episodes oc
cur when outdoor enthusiasts fail to dress appropriately. Take advantage of the
standard drop in temperature after dusk. Opt for long sleeves and full length pa
nts, especially if you have mosquito allergies or sensitive skin. Keep an extra
pair of slacks in the car or backpack for summertime emergencies.
8.) Go light on the beer. Mosquitoes are attracted to the alcohol essence that i
s released through your pores.
9.) Forget the perfume. Certain members of the insect community will appreciate
your scent even more than the humans you want to impress. Mosquitoes love perfum
e, especially floral or fruity fragrances.
10.) Invest in a mosquito tent for outdoor gatherings. Your guests will thank yo
u for creating a party atmosphere conducive to fun and relaxation.
Now for some worthless measures...
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, the following mosquito c
ontrol tactics simply don't work as well as consumers perceive:
1.) Bugs Zappers. Two independent studies found no significant difference in the
number of mosquitoes found in yards with or without bug zappers. Such devices c
atch huge numbers of non pest insects and relatively few mosquitoes.
2.) Citronella Candles: Citronella candles may produce a mild repellent effect,
but they don't offer a significant increase in protection.
3.) Electronic Devices: At least 10 studies have found ultrasonic devices to be
totally useless.
4.) Backyard Misting Systems: Misters needlessly inject pesticides into the envi
ronment, affecting mosquitoes and beneficial insects alike.
The Dangers of Conventional Pesticides
Before you consider using a chemical delivery system, take a moment to research
the active ingredient online. You may not like what you find. Traditional DEET p
roducts are notorious for causing rashes, headaches, nausea and disorientation.
Even pyrethrum based insecticides derived from chrysanthemums are not as safe as
once believed. According to an E.P.A. survey of poison control centers, pyrethr
um based pesticides cause more insecticide poisoning incidents than any other pe
sticides except for organophosphates.
Due to widespread controversy over traditional insect control methods, cedar oil
insect formulations have gained increasing popularity and respect in the pest c
ontrol industry. In 2006, at the request of the U.S. Army, a team of world renow
ned organic scientists expanded upon traditional cedar oil formulations by intro
ducing a quartz rock carrier to deliver a lethal dose of substance at the micros
copic level. This nano-sized delivery system closes the breathing pores of phero
mone driven insects on contact and creates a lasting a barrier that discourages
new insects from entering sprayed territory.
At the forefront of the cedar oil movement is a company based in the heart of Te
xas and marketed at http://www.bugshateit.com Their product is recognized by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture as the number one biological insect control form
ula, proven superior to chemical counterparts. The formula is strong enough to b
attle crop pests on commercial farms yet safe enough to treat neighborhood yards
against mosquitoes and venomous snakes. It's so gentle to humans and animals th
at it's endorsed by Animal Wellness Magazine as a flea treatment and worn by U.S
. soldiers to repel fleas, ticks, mites, lice and chiggers.
Indoor cedar oil fogging techniques are particularly effective in the control of
cockroaches, bedbugs, ants and termites. The dry, hazy mist penetrates unseen c
racks and crevices in a way that traditional spraying methods can't duplicate. F
ogging machines are exceptionally useful to those who live in apartment building
s and wooded areas where repeat infestations are common. The amount of money sav
ed on repeat visits from exterminators can be astronomical.