That was the best method for skeeter control before DDT. And it doesn't take much oil, either. Actually, heavy oils suck. You need something of low volatility (don't want it to evaporate fast) and low viscosity that will coat a skeeter. Diesel works wonders.

The downside is that it stinks and kills most of the bottom of the foodchain. Meaning that dependently linked larger creatures get hungry and starve.

The reason that DDT took over from diesel was that it is less toxic to vertebrates, decapods, amphipods, molluscs, algae, plants, etc than diesel. And of course, it doesn't stink as bad. To be even more effective, DDT used to be mixed with diesel.

The down side of DDT is that its decomposition products accumulate in fatty tissue. Like that spare tire you're carrying around. When you decide to take-off that spare tire to impress the babes, guess what goe back into the bloodstream? Ol' cholinesterase inhibitor.

It also inhibits calcium deposition which is hard on bones and teeth of kids and animals and it makes for extremely brittle eggshells.

But at least you kill skeeters.

Now that sounds sarcastic (which of course, it is) but if you live in the tropics, killing skeeters or tsetse flies is a matter of public health that (in my opinion) outweighs the environmental risk of using DDT. Mosquitoes are vectors for a large number of debilitating and often deadly pathogens. Tsetse flies carry a pathogen that blinds people. If I lived in say, tropical Africa, I'd be Johnny on the spot with DDT, f**k a buncha tree huggers.

Its a tough world.

Bot

We have to do something we were grocery shopping tonight (fishing). We finally called it a night when I had five demons on my hand , the friend that I was fishing with is equally as tough in the outdoors and completely agreed. I haven't bought Repel 2000 in a few years but it looks like I need it this year if I want to fish or do anything outside in the evening.


My wife and daughter are very fair skinned and get kicked in A$$ by skeeters so I think I'm going to invest a few K in Skeeter Magnets, I know they work but I hate parting with the $$$.

I guess the new tractor will have to wait.

You could always stay indoors.

That would defeat the purpose of having all that property. Nice pic.

I have been fortunate to have some kind of chemical reaction that mosquitoes are not attracted to and haven't been bitten in years. I thought it was my breath, but I brushed my teeth and immediately went outside and still no bites.....so I guess they just don't like me.

My wife is mosquitoe bait, so when I want to avoid her, I go in the pool/yard alone. Tha usually gives me some peace.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

What are skeeter magnets?

Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

When you get two magnets of equal size, and run around your yard trying to mash skeeters between 'em.

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

I fall in the same category as MedMech's family. I get eaten alive by skeeters. I was hoping a skeeter magnet was something other than someone with my body chemistry. If we eat outside this time of year, I will get a dozen bites before anyone else in the family even sees a skeeter.

There is a kid who goes to school with my son who patented a low frequency transducer to kill the bugs when they first hatch and have not developed the ability to fly. It shakes them up enough that they cannot form correctly and they die. Works great but it is only practical in larger bodies of water, since you need a separate transducer in each puddle. The Army Corps of Engineers is testing it along roadways where there are drainage ditches that breed them. A side effect is the sound mechanism is equally effective on some other bug types so there is some concern with disrupting the food chain with this thing as well.

Skeeters and ticks. What a neighborhood. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/

Thanks. Has anyone used them? Do they work? Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

The following insecticides are recommended for the control of larvae of nuisance and vector species in various larval habitats. The insecticides are listed alphabetically, not in order of expected efficacy.

A.__ Catch basins
(1)__ AltosidÒ pellets and briquettes (standard) according to product label.

(2)__ AbateÒ emulsion (diluted from EC) by hydraulic sprayer, up to 118 mL emulsion/basin (4 oz/basin).

(3)__ AbateÒ extruded pellets 5%, in selected locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(4)__ Bacillus sphaericus (see C5).

(5)__ B.t.i. (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis serotype H-14) briquettes or other formulations (see B5).

(6)___ Golden Bear Oil 1111 per label instructions.

(7)___ AgniqueÒMMF (monomolecular film) as a larvicide/pupicide, according to product label


B.____ Fresh flood water areas, woodland pools

(1)__ AbateÒ emulsion 18 g AI/ha (0.016 lb AI/acre).

(2)___ AbateÒ granules 1 or 2% ground application, 2 or 5% for aircraft, 56 to 112 g

AI/ha (0.05 to 0.1 lb AI/acre).

(3)___ AbateÒ extruded pellets 5%, in selected locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(4)___ AltosidÒ A.L.L., 0.2 to 0.3 L/ha (3 to 4 fl oz/acre); A.L.L. Conc., 55 to 73 mL/ha

(3/4 to 1 fl oz/acre); pellets (4%), briquettes (standard) according to label.

(5)__ B.t.i. according to manufacturer’s directions. B.t.i. must be ingested to be toxic to mosquito larvae. Larval toxicity depends on the species, its feeding activity and various environmental factors. B.t.i. formulations (e.g., flowables, briquettes, granulars, and pellets) may vary in their potency and the means used to express such potency. Attention should be given to this aspect in the purchase and use of B.t.i. products. Where such formulations are meant to be suspended in water for application, agitation must be provided to insure uniform application.

C.____ Polluted and/or impounded waters

(1)__ AbateÒ emulsion up to 54 g AI/ha (0.048 lb AI/acre). See also E3.

(2)___ AbateÒ granules 1 or 2% for ground application, 2 or 5% for aircraft, 56 to 224 g _ AI/ha (0.05 to 0.2 lb AI/acre).

(3)___ AbateÒ extruded pellets 5%, in select locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(4)___ AltosidÒ (A.L.L. and A.L.L. Conc.); pellets, briquettes (standard), see B4.

(5)___ Bacillus sphaericus recommended for the control of Culex larvae: use according to manufacturer’s directions.

(6)__ Golden Bear Oil 1111 per label instructions.

(7)_ AgniqueÒMMF (monomolecular film) as a larvicide/pupicide, according to product label.



_

Ticks, wow........now that is one of natures worst insects. Those things suck. Yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

If you google them and read the tests they do work well.