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Natural deterents for mosquitos and horseflys??
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Posted by yippee1999 NYC (My Page) on Wed, Jul 10, 02 at 11:54
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Hi guys - I didn't see a category for "bugs", so figured I'd post here.
I live in the city and have a small yard that is completely enclosed by 8' high cement/cinderblock walls, and the yard is about 8' x 10'. I obviously have a number of potted plants in the yard, and I always keep the yard floor clean of debris, leaves, etc.
I have noticed alot of horseflies and mosquitos, and would obviously like to get rid of them. (It did occur to me that my recently purchased birdbath could be a problem, but I do make an effort to change the birdbath water daily.) Does anyone know any "natural" ways to deter these insects on a regular basis?
And for the short-term, if I'm having say a cookout, does anyone know if those calendula candles help in deterring mosquitos?
Thanks!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Natural deterents for mosquitos and horseflys??
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| For the mosquitos, if the birdbath is your only source of standing water, you can do two things. I don't think you have to change the water every day. Every 2 or 3 days should suffice. The other thing you can do is to get "mosquito dunks" they sell them at hardware/home garden supply stores. Mosquito dunks are donut shaped cork that have been impregnated with BT (Bacillus Thronginosis sp?). BT is a bacteria that paricitises (sp?) the mosquito larvae. It is harmless to humans, birds and other animals. You can place a dunk in the birdbath and it will kill mosquito larvae for 30 days. If you've got mosquitos coming in from outside your yard, that's another matter. Can't help you with the horseflies or the candle issue either. Good luck, Carrie |
RE: Natural deterents for mosquitos and horseflys??
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| The candles may work in an area that small. I know that out in an open yard they don't help much. If you have a small water feature, drop in a goldfish, they eat mosquitoes. Otherwise, put up a bird feeder, the birds will take care of the bugs! |
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