| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 23 2006 : 09:27:14 AM
It's quickly moving toward springtime in our area - a time when, due to the large amounts of flood irrigation around, the county sprays for mosquitos with pyrethrin. They drive on the roads around the county spraying from a truck. I understand that most pyrethrins are plant-derived, and I believe that they are generally considered safe, but does anybody have other options that they use on a larger farm-scale for mosquito control?
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Cherime |
Posted - Sep 13 2011 : 08:51:04 AM
The "flying hypodermic needles" as Dad used to call them are a scourge here in Alaska as well. One thing I do in the spring if there is a standing puddle that I cannot get to drain right away, I pour cooking oil into the puddle to keep the larva from growing into buzzing beasts. The cooking oil keeps them down put does not harm the land and motor oil does.
CMF |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Sep 12 2011 : 5:43:16 PM
I'm working on getting plans for a bat house to put up on here!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
|
| pacilltj |
Posted - Sep 03 2011 : 3:20:26 PM
Have you considered getting a little bat house? They eat insects... a LOT of insects... including mosquitos and flies... |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 07:14:31 AM
Uggghhh.....they're here!!! I saw the first little "swarm" of these beasties yesterday down by our (mostly) drained canal. I guess it's getting close to the time to put some of these things into action...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 24 2006 : 08:22:03 AM
Mary Ann - Thanks for pointing out the difference between pyrethrin and permethrin - I didn't know that, and I'm going to be keeping that in mind. Oh dear - this buggy season is just around the corner, I can feel it in the air.
I think I'll be trying everything "natural" I can, from mosquito dunks to marigolds, in addition to the county spraying. We seem to have a great indigenous population of ladybugs, so I'm feeling pretty good abou that!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 10:24:57 AM
Oh, and natural pyrethrins come from a small kind of chrysanthemum. But the natural ones are expensive, so you're probably getting a chemical copy, or permethrin, which is similar but NOT the same.
"What another would do as well as you, do not do it. What another would have said as well as you, do not say it; written as well, do not write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself, and there, make yourself indispensable." ---Andre Gide |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 10:23:38 AM
We've tried a number of things in the past, with varying results. We've used the big black fly traps that are drawn into water ($500 wasted) and the mosquito thing that uses a propane tank ($500 wasted). This year we're trying mosquito dunks in the stock tanks (the mosquito killer in it is Bt) and fly predators.
My horses look like space aliens in fly masks, fly sheets, and fly wraps on their legs. And I also use an all natural fly spray by Espree. Doc says a horse can get more damaging concussion from stomping flies than from running down a concrete road, so I go to great lengths.
I'm not weird about organic stuff, but if I have an low impact or organic choice, I take it.
"What another would do as well as you, do not do it. What another would have said as well as you, do not say it; written as well, do not write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself, and there, make yourself indispensable." ---Andre Gide |
| Rosenwalt |
Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 12:22:34 PM
A few years ago I thought my county was giving out tablets that one drops in standing water areas to keep the mosquitoes out. I believe they were free?
Also, I'm growing marigolds which is supposed to be a repellent but I wonder just how many I have to grow for it to be effective? I'm thinking lots huh.
Rose Marie,
Central New York
|
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 11:11:48 AM
Maggie - I was thinking about putting fish in the outside water sources and after hearing that you do it, I was REALLY considering it, and then I thought about our cats....
I know that there are several places that you can get ladybugs/ladybird beetles - one is Gardens Alive - I had thought about that one, too...
So far, I have decided to "let" the county spray for mosquitos around our property - at least along the roads that border two sides of it. The other two are bordered by farmland with no access road except for tractors. It is still such a question for me, but the mosquitos are so bad, and, as far as I can tell, pyrethrins are almost as good as it gets for large-scale spraying. Any thoughts on this decision before I tell the "county people?" It is so great to be able to read all of your thoughts/actions/opinions. Hopefully we'll all be able to do what's best for ourselves, our farms, our families and our land...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| CityCat |
Posted - Mar 15 2006 : 8:51:32 PM
Jane: By Japanese beetle you mean the Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)? The ladybug? I kept thinking you were talking about the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) which is a plant pest and looks like a shiny, jeweled dung beetle.
Just thought you'd like to know... -Cat |
| cowgirlinthesand |
Posted - Mar 15 2006 : 6:57:40 PM
We put the feeder goldfish that you get at the petshops for about .10 each in all our water toughs and in the dogs water buckets. They are good mosquito larve eaters. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 08 2006 : 07:53:04 AM
This is such good information - thank you all for the continued input. I'm formulating a bug-control plan for this year, including Bt and bat houses for mosquitos (I still haven't come to a good decision about the irrigation water issue) and perhaps milky spore on my roses - we have aphids on them, but so far I've just let it go - they are wild roses/briar roses that are around 150 years old, and I just figured that maybe by now they've gotten used to the aphids! Chris - as far as giving moles a reason to go elsewhere, did what you read say anything about gophers?
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| OregonGal |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 8:06:28 PM
I think moldyspore (or milkyspore) is like a type of bacterium, not really a chemical
that will kill the larvae pupating in the ground - I haven't use it but i"ve read its supposed
to work well enought that it causes moles to go elsewhere because it kills the grubs in
the ground that moles love to eat.
"...a merry heart does good like a medicine, it has the power to cure." |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 12:09:16 PM
Goodmorning Terre- Actually your bat idea is a great one!!! According to what I have read you need to build bat boxes. They are these larger quite flat boxes that are roughed up inside so each bat can hang on. (that's not a very good decription) Guano is smeared in a small amount inside to attract them and they are mounted on the south side of your exterior attic and or trees. I'm going to give this a try this year. Here are some links to build bat boxes for anyone else interested:
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/batbox/index.php
http://lancaster.unl.edu/enviro/pest/factsheets/265-95.htm
http://lancaster.unl.edu/office/locate.shtm
http://www.batcon.org/bhra/economyhouse.html
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/tools/ndblinds/smallbat.htm
I'm still a little unsure of the Milky Spore application because it doesn't occur naturally in the required amounts to kill bugs. Example-- The Dept. of Agriculture had this great idea about 8 years ago. We all know the lady bugs reputation for aphid control is excellant but they are delicate creatures that are difficult to winter over in our colder winter climate. To keep them in large agriculture numbers they must be reseeded every 2-3 years. A bit expensive. So the Dept. of Agriculture found "the Japanese Beetle". They touted it as the magic solution to pest control. Japanese beetles are vorocious eaters and are cousins of our English variety. They winter over in cold weather well and come back in greater numbers each year without any attention what so ever. They look just like the English variety but are very agressive, they bite humans in swarms and have no natural check.(no animal eats them due to a pungent smell they give off when their legs are damaged.) They have done the job on aphids. LOL I don't think an aphid can be found in the tri-state area. However, they leave the fields each fall to winter over in our homes, barns and sheds by the 10's of millions! They swarm people and bite the heck out of you. Going from the car to the house during this time is like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The only effective way of getting rid of them is to put out traps and to vaccumn them up by the pound. The successful little darlings have spread all across the midwest to the blueberry states where they are all but destroying the berry crops. These states are now using "milky Spore" by the truckload to try and kill them. Which is where I think I came in on this novel of a story and how I came to learn about Milky Spore. Call me once bitten by a Japanese Beatle twice shy. The reports have all been favorable that I've read so hopefully it will really be the answer but I think I want to hear more about it. Please keep us updated on your experience with Milky Spore Terre. You are now our field research consultant on Milky Spore. :)
Thank you for your great idea about bats and for sharing your experience with Milky Spore.
Hearts and Hugs,
Jane
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| Terre |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 11:32:28 AM
Hi Libbie! Milky Spores Diseases treats Japanese Beetles while they are in the ground in the larva stage. They don't seem to harm anything else. I decided to try it, so I can enjoy my roses---not the beetles feasting on them. Enjoy your bats!
Be true in heart. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 11:27:29 AM
Terre - I really think that bats can make a difference, too. We have bats that live in our trees and they come out every evening, spring to fall, and absolutely FEAST around the yard - I hate to think what the mosquito population would be like without them! I don't know how to attract more bats, but I do know that you can buy/make "bathouses" like birdhouses, and that might attract a friend for your lonely little guy! I don't have a link for a bat house design, but I'm sure if you "google" it you'll be able to find a few.
What does Milky Spore treat? I have heard of it, but what pests/diseases does it help? It just might be a good option here, too.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Terre |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 05:28:45 AM
Hi JMac! I just started using the Milky Spore Diseases (sort of). I researched it all out and found that it's supposed to be a great product and also seems to be environment friendly. Only problem is it is fairly expensive and you need to apply it at least 4-5 times preferrably spring, summer, and fall. Why I say I used it "sort of" is because I told my husband about it and he used it on the whole yard except where I had planned to use it on my roses and told me later---Men! So, I have to go buy another bag for $36.00 (the co-op did give me some rebate coupons that maybe I can use) and I'm a season behind. It's supposed to really work though. Once you get it in the ground it keeps multiplying on its own. YEA! As far as mosquito's ---the best thing I found was when a colony of bats moved into the trees near the creek. Over the years, our little colony has dwindled on the other end where they migrate and we're down to one lonely little bat. You can sure tell the difference with the mosquitos as one bat eats aprox. thousand mosquitos a day. I used to be afraid of them until I learned more about them. Still wouldn't touch one though--rabies. Does anyone have any ideas about how to attract bats? No, I'm not batty :)
Be true in heart. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 04 2006 : 8:42:38 PM
That's a good article - I am really interested in the differences between Bs and Bt, as well as putting minnows/mosquito fish in the sheep troughs - really the only bug problem we have around here are the 'skeeters, and they sure do put a damper on those lovely, cool summer mornings and evenings. I am just at such a loss since we are surrounded by flood irrigated fields, as I mentioned before. Maybe it's just the best plan around here to use Bt/Bs when feasible and get a loverly wall tent with 4 netting sides!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 7:25:31 PM
Here's the link copied and pasted Libbie. If you still have problems let me know via jmac1711@aol.com and I'll forward the newsletter with links to you.
Hearts and Hugs,
Jane
agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1141243653253.xml&catref=ag4001
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 6:55:17 PM
Jane - would you mind double-checking the link for me? I'd love to check out the article, but I couldn't get to it. I tried searching for "mosquito control" on [www.agriculture.com], but of the 11 stories that came up, the latest was in 2005.
Actual mosquito update on our farm: zero sightings so far....however, flies are starting to emerge. Yuck, too.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 9:55:35 PM
Hey Everyone I got a great reference link tonight in my Agriculture Online Newsletter about the mosquito issue. Take a look:
agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtmlstoryid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1141243653253.xml&catref=ag4001
Hearts and Hugs,
Jane
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 5:29:38 PM
This has all turned too funny! Thank you all for the laughs!!! I, too, had this vision of your neighbor, Jane, sort of looking like a potato bug/pillbug when it's placed upside down...pesticides are such scary things - you just never know what the long-term result will be, as far as I can tell.
The mosquito dunks that I mentioned above from Gardens Alive are, to quote their website: "Destroy mosquitoes while they are still larvae-before they can bite! Mosquito bites are not only irritating, but they are also quite hazardous to people and pets. The bites are known to transmit West Nile virus, and can transmit heartworm disease to cats and dogs. Drop the easy-to-use water-soluble pouch directly into standing water. Within minutes its granules will release fast-acting Bt israelensis into the water to target mosquito larvae. No-Squito! Mosquito Bioinsecticide: won't harm pets and wildlife close by, including fish, amphibians and other aquatic organisms. is effective in any area that retains water, including fountains, drainage ditches, water gardens, roof gutters, bird baths, tree holes, rain barrels, discarded car tires, flowerpots, spas and pools! will even control mosquitoes in salt marsh areas."
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 5:11:16 PM
Hi Mandy and Patti:
With so many things today in chaos around us (economy, daily stresses ect.) it is such a beautiful thing to be responsible for a little laughter. Thank you for letting me know I caused some in your lives. And yes, Patti, "Mike" my imfamous neighbor is quite the fellow. He was a retired industrial engineer and therefore knew machines inside and out. Meticulous about his garage, everything had it's place. This included his lawnmover that hung on the wall of this workshop area. 2 times a week (in addition to his pesticide spraying routine) he would mow his lawn. After which he would leave his mover running til it completely ran out of gas! Usually about an hour, at the entrance to his garage. When we asked him about this he reproachfully stated that "no mower should be stored with gas in it." Apparently it damages the internal works. LOL Bless his heart, if the weed juice don't get him the lawnmower fumes will. I'm just sure he probably had con-nip-tion fits everytime he saw us park our John Deere with the tank half full. Yep, score one for the green-side. Have a blessed evening girlfriends. :)
Hearts and Hugs,
Jane
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 3:49:58 PM
Jane, you almost made me spit out a mouthful of chocolate milk with your post about your neighbor!  I laughed so long my dd came to see what was so funny.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| WednesdaysChild |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 3:33:48 PM
I hear they still use DDT here, and I'm a little worried about breathing it in when spring/summer comes. I've heard the kids run through it here too. Guess it's a universal passtime for youth - funny in a sad way.
When I was little my father had those big electric bug-zapping lamps - one by the house and one by the main work/milk room. When he got them we noticed a significant reduction of mosquitos in our main traffic areas. They may not be cheap but they seemed to last "forever".
jmac1711 - I just have to say how much I love your signiture line - made me laugh and first thing in the morning that's hard to do.
Mandy
A Canadian farmgirl in S. Korea. |
|
|
