I have .7 acre lot right beside wetlands. I need to keep misquoto population down. suggestions?
Answers:
I'm on .9 near a reservoir and raparian habitat containing a stream that goes stagnant in the summer turning into large pools of water breeding mosquitos. We got a Mosquito Deleto last summer and it really keeps us free of the little pests. We also use the Mosquito Donuts in our fountains. You also might check to see if you have a department in your city or county responsible for pest control. Ours is called Vector Control and they released some other kind of bug that eats the mosquito larvae in the stagnant water contained in the stream without contaminating the water source for our wildlife.
Other answers:
You could try a Mosquito Magnet-type device.
You could try a Mosquito Magnet-type device.
Bats.........Purple Martins....
You can get a portable mosquito fogger at Menards and the liquid poision to fill it. Spray around your yard in the tall grasses and the mosquito's will drop like flies. It would be best to do this before the kids go out. Repeat as necessary. I believe you can purchase the unit for about $70.00 and a jug of poision is about $15.00.
Check with your local extension office on how to attract bats. You may be able to put up an inexpensive bat house--they will definitely help.
Additionally, many songbirds are bug eaters--wrens, bluebirds, and swallows (including martins). Investigate birdhouses that will attract as many as possible. You will need to work actively to keep sparrows out of the shelters.
Find out what you can do to make sure the frog and toad populations are healthy.
All of these critters are totally natural bug control, and with small children, you can have a wonderful time watching them, too!
I would contact your local soil conservation office. With the west Nile virus so prominent in the USA (i assume you live in the states), it is indeed a serious matter.Whether the wet lands are state owned or privately owned they should be able to help you. I would think they will probably provide bats and bat houses, tadpoles and frogs etc., if they do not spray that particular area. Attracting birds are very beneficial too but nothing like the bats. A bat can eat its weight in mosquitoes a day -wow-. Give them a call , its their Job and you pay taxes for it
God Bless
Grandma