More on Mosquito Control

Here is some good basic information you should understand:

US Gov EPA Report on Malathion for Mosquito Control

Here are some practical tips:



1) Do some detective work and figure out where your mosquitoes are hiding just after sun rise. Walk in the lush shady areas of your yard. Are you being swarmed? Then this area is worth spraying.  It is not desired or practical to spray your whole yard. ($50 liter for Malathion, use it smart!)

2) Once you have your target areas, make them extra attractive to mosquitoes. Water them the night before you plan to spray. Overnight, all the mosquitoes in the area will move into this nice moist "trap".

3) Within a few hours of morning sun hitting your yard, and the area is still moist and shady, almost all your mosquitoes are now concentrated in a very small area. Spray that area!

4) Spray only when there is no wind. You want the spray to linger in your target area, not blow away.

5) Even though there is no wind, there is always a slight "drift".

6) Plan your spray pattern to use the "drift" to your advantage (drift into the green foliage, not away into the open).

7) Set up your equipment to start "up-drift" and work "down-drift". Make sure the "drift" is not towards places it is not wanted.

8) Plan a two pass spray. Two light applications are more effective than one heavy application as some of the mosquitoes may fly away with the first pass. Give them time to return, then hit them again.  This also allows you to use a weaker spray mixture, since you are hitting them twice.

9) Make sure no people or pets are around your spray area.

10) Enjoy your bug free yard!

Correct Ratio of Malathion to Water

This is hard to get an exact answer. It depends on your equipment and technique. I have read the following:

MOSQUITO CONTROL
For control and reducing the annoyance of adult mosquitoes, flies and small
flying insects in outdoor areas, apply spray mixture as a fine mist or fog.
Dilute Malathion 50% E.C. at the rate of 4 1/2 oz. per gallon of water.
Repeat application as necessary. Avoid spray contact with auto finishes as
product may produce spotting.
Broadcast use only over intermittently flooded areas. Application may not
be made around bodies of water where fish or shellfish are grown and/or
harvested commercially.

Personally, I think these people must be in the business of selling Malathion. I have had great success with 1 oz  per gallon (or less, and hitting them twice). The results of a spray are very quick. Spray an area. Wait 20 minutes. Walk the area. Are there any mosquitoes? Adjust your own technique till you get results using the minimum Malathion to get an effective kill.

Please share your ideas on this blog.