Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2020/07/23/mosquitoes-suck-here-are-eigh.html
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I usually wear a suit that prevents them from biting me at all. Tyvek works well for gardening:
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Here’s the real way to end the threat… permanently. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/magazine/gene-drive-mosquitoes.html
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After spending about a month in northwest Maine one summer, the mosquitoes continued to bite me but there was no swelling or itching. Just painless tiny holes.
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My friends, these products are all nonsense. The only way to really deal with the buggers is a product like this:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/skeetervac-sv-3100c-mosquito-exterminator-0593706p.html#srp
I purchased one of these to put in my backyard this spring (considering I would be spending quite a bit of time there this year) and I have yet to be chased back into the house by the little vampires (a normal occurrence for me).
The device is expensive but it is quite complex. It consists of a propane engine that runs a little generator. The combustion gasses and heat from the engine attract the mozzies and there is a fan to suck them in and keep them confined. The generator runs some lights to attract them also. There is also a chemical attractant that needs to be replaced.
This thing has changed my life and is worth every penny if you have a mosquito problem in your yard.
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Hot candle wax dripped on the bite also deactivates the itch.
We’re now getting the Asian tiger mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Does it work on them, too?
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I have no idea but it probably does. This thing acts like a lure and then traps what gets sucked into the lure. If this species is attracted to the same kinds of things (moisture, heat, CO2, light, etc) then I expect it will work great.
I also have yet to have any by-catch. No Bees or other insects - just mosquitos.
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You guys, promoting quack products harms everyone.
First off, “bug zappers” do not kill mosquitoes, who are not attracted to UV light in the least. They do kill moths, beetles and other beneficial insects, contributing to needless deaths of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Secondly, ultrasonic gadgets and mosquito bracelets have been thoroughly debunked. Go check out Wirecutter’s articles if you don’t believe me.
Mosquitoes are a serious health concern. Promoting quack products is a serious abandonment of principals. Boing Boing should know better. Please remove this product lineup from your site.
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I’ve heard That Bug Bite Thing actually works. Anyone use it?
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Just stay away from any product that uses ultrasound; they will never work against mosquitoes (or any other insects) nor rats.
Mosquitoes need still water to lay their eggs, so when watering plants keep an eye on water to be sure it flows back into the soil without making puddles. Of course if you live near a pond, now that’s a problem that needs different products I couldn’t suggest. But ultrasounds never worked and never will, despite being sold since ages (I recall them being advertised in the 70s).
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Good advice. The consensus last time one of these was advertised was that the local application of heat was an effective treatment. I still plan on ordering one of these for the car:
https://www.atcmedical.com/MOREPOWER2U_THERAPIKREG_PAIN_RELIEF_DEVICE_FOR_INSECT_STING_AND_BITE_ITCH/THETHPKBL1000/product.aspx
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Here are some things that really work:
- A light breeze, natural or from a fan. They are slow flyers.
- Eliminating all standing water, even itty bitty little pools, like in a soda bottle or in the corner of a gutter.
- Eliminating habitat for mosquitoes (damp, shady, weedy areas in your yard).
- Encouraging their predators (conflicts with habitat somewhat).
- DEET and picaridin; I prefer picaridin because it doesn’t feel as nasty on my skin, and DEET will dissolve some plastics (the kind you find on grill lighters and Victorinox knives). But DEET seems to last longer.
Getting rid of standing water really helps. On the other hand, leaving any standing water really expands the mosquito population.
EDIT: Yelling at kids to “keep the damn good closed” doesn’t seem to help.
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Picaridin goes on stinky but doesn’t stay that way. I dislike the smell of DEET so picaridin is my go-to for any activity that will last less than 2 hours and isn’t near a mosquito hot spot like woods or ponds. Otherwise, it’s DEET deep woods and a thorough shower after.
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Where is my laser zappy thing? I want the future today.
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‘The LED lights and bionic temperature increase’
The what now?
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The Bite Helper
You need to run that name by Miss LaRoche-Van Der Hout to make sure it isn’t offensive to the Franco-Dutch-people
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Imagine the size of the mosquitoes that thing can kill.
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Though this is octodrone’s first post, I agree. None of these products can live up to the clickbait headline. Maybe write more about a potential spike in malarial epidemics as eradication teams scale down operations in the face of covid.
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