Best way to kill Mosquitoes in yard without hurting veggie garden or pollinators ?

[PaulZone8b]

We have a large backyard with several sections of veggie gardens, compost bins, etc....and we get attacked with mosquitoes every dusk so are ready to do something about it (kill them) but I have heard some chemicals/poisons are harmful to pollinators too...so I wouldn't want to hurt them. Is there a bulk chemical I can spray the grass area and under trees that will kill mosquitoes and not hurt the pollinators ?

 

[Oliver Buckle]

They don't usually move that far, if it is a large backyard you may well be able to find the standing water that is the source and kill them there as larvae, otherwise have a look at mosquito traps, I don't know of a specific mosquito killing chemical.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

that electrical snapper. hang it on a plant hanger.

 

[DirtMechanic]

I use a lure. Basically 4 spartan traps. If you have ever used a baking scale in grams it helps because the recipe is by weight. The recipe is roach powder boric acid, warm water, yeast and sugar. Bifenthrin is the spray if they are horrible. Go up the vertcal surfaces they might lite upon.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

You can also encourage dragon flies and bats, both eat a lot of them.

 

[GFTL]

We have a large backyard with several sections of veggie gardens, compost bins, etc....and we get attacked with mosquitoes every dusk so are ready to do something about it (kill them) but I have heard some chemicals/poisons are harmful to pollinators too...so I wouldn't want to hurt them. Is there a bulk chemical I can spray the grass area and under trees that will kill mosquitoes and not hurt the pollinators ?

Garlic spray on surrouding vegetation will help keep them away. Empty all containers withstanding water that aren't being used. Put these in water reservoirs to kill larva. https://www.amazon.com/Summit-respo...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

 

[PaulZone8b]

I love you folks !! So helpful and ready to share a response and your experience. I will try several things listed here.
Thanks !!

 

[roadrunner]

Based on my personal experience...Water doesn't attract mosquitoes to you yard -- blood attracts mosquitoes to your yard.

Before I transformed my yard, it was a typical lawn, with zero water, not even a bird bath, yet I still was swamped by mosquito attacks. I later learned that most mosquitoes can travel over a mile from the water source that they will lay their eggs. I'm surrounded by water sources and that's where they come from.

Now I have tons of water in my yard, from both bird baths and rain water I store, that's open to the air. I have three things I do to combat the mosquitoes.

I allow them to lay eggs in the water, then I pour it out before the larvae can make that transition to adults. If I don't want to dump the water, I transfer it into a container that is sealed off and they let them die.

I use a handheld mosquito zapper, similar to the picture below. I don't like to set up zappers that end up killing a lot of other insects, some of which prey on mosquitoes.

I attract dragonflies (and other animals) to my yard. I grow a lot of other plants, other than traditional garden plants, in order to create a habitat to attract all kinds of insects and birds.


BTW, that bug zapper, is actually fun to use and I can kill a lot of mosquitoes in my immediate vicinity. Some times I'm actually wanting more mosquitoes to swat, because it's so fun. And dumping out five gallons of larvae is also very satisfying

 

[delightfulbags]

I’d recommend starting with Bti, a biological treatment that kills mosquito larvae in standing water without significantly harming bees or other pollinators when used as directed. For adult mosquitoes, a professional mosquito spraying service that offers pollinator-conscious treatment options may help reduce their numbers without spraying the entire lawn or trees indiscriminately. Eliminate standing water and use targeted treatments in shaded mosquito resting areas, away from flowers and pollinators. Unfortunately, no spray can guarantee killing mosquitoes without any risk to beneficial insects.

 

[PaulZone8b]

We use the dunks and bits and for the occasional ones that fly around, we keep the hand zapper from Harbor Freight. Big yellow wand with 2 D batteries, I have tried 6 other brand hand battery zappers and they all work for a few days or week then refuse to work anymore (bad design from China) but the yellow one from Harbor Freight ($5) is still work great after 3 months. We bought another one. When I am working outside and staying in one area and getting bothered with skeatas...I grab that and swing away. 30 secs and they are all zapped and gone.

 

[DirtMechanic]

I noticed this year that we had vertically no mosquitoes. The spartan traps got put out in the spring, long used up by now but still I wonder if the consistent use was the thing or was it our very hot summer?

 

[Meadowlark]

or was it our very hot summer?

very hot DRY summer...here and presumably there.

 

[DirtMechanic]

very hot DRY summer...here and presumably there.

I can see that help now that you mention it. I don't burn when it's dry and remember having piles build up.

 

[Norman R Richards]

I would start by focusing on mosquito breeding areas rather than spraying the entire yard.

Check for standing water in plant saucers, buckets, containers, clogged gutters, unused pots, and other places where water can collect. Empty or remove water where possible.

For water that cannot be drained, a Bti mosquito larvicide product may help control mosquito larvae. Follow the product label carefully and make sure the product is approved for the intended water source.

I would be cautious about applying broad-spectrum insecticides across lawns, flowering plants, and trees, especially when bees and other pollinators are active. Even products intended for mosquitoes can affect beneficial insects if applied improperly.

You can also use screens, outdoor fans, and personal mosquito protection to reduce bites while spending time in the garden.

The goal is to manage mosquitoes while protecting the beneficial insects that help keep a garden healthy.

 

[Meadowlark]

I would start by focusing on mosquito breeding areas rather than spraying the entire yard.

Excellent advice @Norman R Richards . Don't be a stranger here