The time is now. Walking into my house over the weekend, I
saw mosquitoes on the side door, where I enter the house. Getting in my car for
the radio show on Saturday morning, there were three more flying around the windshield.
Now it is time to
wage war against the mosquito.
First, I’m going to give you a shopping list. Pick up these
items then wage war on the mosquitoes and their breeding places in your yard.
Liquid Net (the Ultimate Insect Repellent by The Liquid Fence Company), Cyonara
Lawn and Garden, Nyguard, Mosquito Repelling Granules, Mosquito Dunks, and
Altosid Pro G are some of the basic weapons that you will need to wage war
against these blood suckers.
Apply the Liquid Net to yourself. This product is organic
and does an unbelievable job against mosquitoes, gnats, no-see-ums, ticks and
other biting insects. Liquid Net is non-greasy, DEET-free, and safe for the
whole family. It also has a 100% guarantee from the manufacturer. One year I
had one of my customers from Possum’s wanting to travel around to the various
ball field complexes and sell this stuff because it worked so good, was organic
and would not harm her small children. Now you are ready for the yard.
Scout around the yard for anything that holds water. Old
tires, saucers under potted plants, bird baths, old flower containers or pots
stacked in a corner, dog toys, kids toys, a container by the grill you use to
soak wood chips in, a cooler, an old fountain, a hole in a tree and a dogs
water bowl all make great places for mosquitoes to breed. Empty the water out
these areas (refill the dog bowl and the bird bath daily). A tarp covering a
boat or woodpile can hold a lot of water. A few empty bottles or cans can end up being
thousands of mosquitoes! Many mosquitoes
can breed in just an ounce of water.
If you have bigger areas of water like a ditch or a low area
of the yard that holds water, apply the Mosquito Dunks or the Altosid Pro G.
The Mosquito Dunks are an organic Bt product that kill larvae and the Altosid
Pro G is a growth regulator product that contains the same active ingredient
that is used in the Precor products for controlling fleas. Although Altosid is
not organic, it is considered to be very safe and labeled to be used in very
sensitive areas like marshes. Turn off your irrigation when you can and correct
any drainage problems.
Any pruning you can do to increase air movement and sunlight
penetration will also help. Mosquitoes like moist stagnant areas. Mosquitoes are
very weak fliers, so they do not like wind or air movement (big fans for
parties help). Mosquitoes are a public health issue, so you might be able to get some help from a
government agency.
Next, you want to mow your lawn then spray the lawn, shrubs,
trees, and mulched areas with Cyonara Lawn and Garden and Nyguard. Cyonara Lawn
and Garden not only kills mosquitoes but also kills chiggers, fleas, ants,
ticks, spittlebugs and roaches just to name a few other problem insects out
right now. Nyguard is a growth regulator that will extend your period of
control by about two-fold (4 weeks control turns to 8 weeks depending on your
insect pressure).
If you would like to stay organic apply Mosquito Repelling
Granules. Check the weather (I know it is hard to do around here) because this
product likes to be dry for 48 hours after application. This organic product
really does a great job. It is university tested and has also proven itself in
the Lowcountry. Many of our customers at Possum’s have reported control for
over three weeks! We sell it to people putting on large fundraisers, other
outdoor festivals, sporting events, and individuals and we always get positive
feedback. If you would rather spray, try EcoVia EC. A natural product that
works!
Fire ants have also come up to the surface in a big way.
Treating the whole yard will always give you much better results than treating
individual mounds. Cyonara Lawn and Garden will work on ants. If you prefer a
granular, Bug Blaster or Sevin will do the trick.
Check around the foundation of your house, especially around
downspouts, for erosion that could affect your termite protection for your
home. Look for water underneath your house as well. Check with your Pest
Management Professional to be sure your home is protected from termites and
moisture issues.
To answer one question that keeps popping up, “no, the army
worms, sod webworms and mole crickets did not drowned and are not eradicated”.
If this sounds like too much work, hire a professional.
Always read and follow product label.
