71GTO
1290311646
Posted 1455821620
Reply with quote #1
Now that spring is approching and we are all thinking about this years growing season. I'm starting to think about what I am going to do differently with my new property. Last year I definetly had a mosquito issue. I noticed this even at my old house, which was not as bad, but the same thing. Mosquitos seem to love hanging out in my fig trees. I ended up having most of my trees clumped on and around the deck in the back, so it made a nice little shady canopy for them, but it was to the point that I would get eaten alive every time I had to water. We didn't even spend any time outside since we were busy with the house. This year I would like to enjoy the yard a little more, but not instantly swarmed. Has anyone else had this issue? Does anyone have any suggestions on mosquito control? I was debating spraying the yard, but I don't want to spray my figs or future garden.
jkuo
1399944767
Posted 1455823006
Reply with quote #2
The mosquitoes have been pretty vicious around here too. Being near woods, a creek, and neighbors who aren't always diligent about removing sources of standing water essentially means we always have mosquitoes. The approach I've decided to try (with a few of my neighbors) is to set out traps: buckets of water with mosquito dunks. I got the idea from here . The premise is to provide lots of convenient BTI-laced breeding pools for the mosquitoes to lay eggs which never survive into adulthood. I just started trying it last fall, so I'll see how well it succeeds this season (especially if I can get my neighbors to be diligent about it too).
Johnny - Lancaster, PA, Zone 6b Plants I'm growing: Google Doc
GreenFin
1331268315
Posted 1455833522
Reply with quote #3
Fish can be an extremely effective biological control against mosquitos when standing water is the problem. If it's an extremely small bit of water (like a roadside ditch), you can stock fathead minnows; if it's a little bit bigger, you can stock some tilapia. Young tilapia feed aggressively on mosquito larvae, as do fathead minnows. If you have a neighbor that won't manage a ditch of standing water, perhaps you could slip some fatheads in there.
James, zone 6a Kansas (zone 10 greenhouses); wish list is in my profile http://www.FigCuttings.com
Smungung
1441129607
Posted 1455850750
Reply with quote #4
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenFin
Aquarist any questions pertaining to fish shoot me a message always willing to help! :) Gardener Fisherman
nkesh099
1267670012
Posted 1455855137
Reply with quote #5
I mix this product (see link below) with water and water my trees few times during the season. Also, I mix one tea-spoon in each one of my 55 gallon rain barrels, it take cares of any mosquitos and Gnats. Been using this product for few years and been very impressed by it.
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/knock-out-gnats-trade-granules/pest-control
nycfig
1380768118
Posted 1455857429
Reply with quote #6
I have the same problem. There is no standing water around so I'm guessing it's the moisture in the top of the pots that attracts the mosquitos. There's a certain time of day in the morning and evening that I won't even go into the yard. I don't want to spray the plants so I keep a can of OFF by the back door.Quote:
Originally Posted by
nkesh099 I mix this product (see link below) with water and water my trees few times during the season. Also, I mix one tea-spoon in each one of my 55 gallon rain barrels, it take cares of any mosquitos and Gnats. Been using this product for few years and been very impressed by it.
http://www.gardensalive.com/product/knock-out-gnats-trade-granules/pest-control Navid.
Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet
tennesseefig
1447835812
Posted 1455858967
Reply with quote #7
Build bat boxes and propagate large quantities of citronella. Bats are actually perfect for the job, research it when you get time.
Micah 4:4But each one shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of יְהוָה of hosts has spoken.
Zone 7a, wanting: JH Adriatic, Smith, Strawberry Verte, VdB, RdB
71GTO
1290311646
Posted 1455891190
Reply with quote #8
Thanks guys, I'm going to try watering with that stuff or something if that nature. Im sure that was one of the culprits last year. I don't know how I or my neighbors would feel about trying to attract bats in.... I've have some good ideas now. I think a few things should take help.
71GTO
1290311646
Posted 1455892291
Reply with quote #9
Also, I do plan to plant some plants that deter mosquitos, but the property still needs work before I can landscape.
binbin9
1387923330
Posted 1455913846
Reply with quote #10
Try some companion plants like lemon thyme or citronella
Renton, WA My Seattle Garden Blog Fig Addiction WISH LIST: Genovese Nero Rafeds | UCR 187-25 | Black Tuscan | Black Triana | Jack Lilly | Barbillone | St Rita | Tauro | Jin Ao Fen | Lampeira Preto | Any fig over 100grams =)
