How can I get rid of mosquitoes?

Question

For indoor use, in living and bedroom. Search for 'wantrn 3 in 1 mosquito trap' should see something like

Description says it uses CO2 - carbon dioxide. I know its harmless unless there is so much that it removes O2 from the area, but what is too much? Is this safe? I have a lot of mosquitoes around. I've tried the light, and chemicals, but neither has worked.

Any other child friendly mosquito stoppers?

Answer 1

There are conflicting reports about the health risks involved with burning citronella indoors and I do not encourage it. If you plan to use a candle indoors as a device I strongly suggest using an inclosed candle box. Fire is a guest in your house and sometimes gets hungry. Also, citronella repels mosquitoes, it doesn't kill them. I suppose this would make them go into the other room at least. Used outdoors, tiki-torches and candles should be relatively safe, health-wise.

Does a Wantrn really work? Reading "also there is so high Voltage, So it’s very high safe and Quiet." in the product description is not encouraging. But the technology seems sound. CO2 and UV attracts, fan sucks them in and keeps them there. Perhaps it does work so long as there's power.

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Even if it is one of models that work, your mileage may very:

Government studies find the Mosquito Magnet line very effective, user postings paint a more nuanced picture. For example, the nearly 30 users posting to Amazon.com give the Patriot an average score of 3 out of 5 stars, with some calling it effective and others complaining that mosquitoes are still plentiful. Some who report success say it may be necessary to test the trap in multiple locations to find an optimum spot. Many also note that the trap is expensive to maintain, as the propane, optional chemical attractants, catch net and cleaning cartridge must be replaced periodically.

An excerpt from a highly suggested read and its links to other studies, before you drop that kind of money. I wouldn't feel safe with a propane model indoors. CO2 is not harmless but I wouldn't be concerned at all with the levels from one without a tank, even used indoors. However, being the guardian of a child a little research on the exact output is warranted. A good question might be how many CFM's a given space needs to keep the air fresh with a continual input of X number PPM of CO2.

Answer 2

Citronella oil, perhaps? It's available in various formats, though the candle version is extremely popular.

I bought a few of those candles from a roadside stand on a previous visit to India, and I can vouch that they're effective even against mosquitoes in Minnesota :)

I've used them indoors and they appear to be safe. We have a 3yo and I don't think I would hesitate to use such candles around her (fire concerns considered, of course).

Answer 3

There are a few approaches to preventing mosquitoes from showing up.

1. Remove/reduce sources of mosquito habitat, like standing water or areas of high moisture. If you are like me and near woods and water you cannot really do anything about this.
2. Encourage mosquito predators bats, dragonflies and purple martins (type of bird). They will work for you and at no cost or risk to you.
3. Discourage inviting mosquitoes into your home. Check window screens and other opening where they can enter and fix them. Seal gaps or spaces between windows or door frames.
4. Divert their attention away from you and then TRAP! them. Create mosquito traps, some basic varieties use brown sugar, yeast and water and a plastic bottle. The yeast creates CO2 which attracts the mosquitoes and the plastic bottle traps them.
5. Discourage them to approach you Wear something that makes them NOT want to approach you.

Since your question is about dealing with mosquitoes indoors, spraying or using citronella or other chemicals is not an option. So keep them out and trap the ones that do enter.

1. Create a mosquito trap(s) in areas of either high volume of mosquitoes or where you think they maybe entering your home.

2. Seal and fix any openings so they cannot enter your home.

Hopefully some of these suggestions helped!

Answer 4

I have a few questions but rather than ask I can only assume that you live in a home that is open to the elements (as you can not close windows/doors or use screens. if you have standing water under your home, mosquitoes are very good at coming up through the floor through cracks etc. This brings up another list of concerns as well, but screening under the home would make a difference.

First, Lets go outside:

I would recommend Cutter outdoor spray around the perimeter of your home in an attempt to push the mosquitos away from your home. There is a natural product that uses plant oils and I have found it effective (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cutter-32-fl-oz-Ready-to-Spray-Concentrate-Natural-Bug-Control-HG-95962/203381879?N=5yc1vZc5w2). It only works for a few weeks.

If you have standing water near your home that can not be removed, use Mosquito Dunks (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Summit-12-in-Mosquito-Dunks-6-Pack-110-12/100334779?N=5yc1vZc5w2). This is a biological agent that kills larva and is harmless to the environment. The object is to reduce the population outside so that fewer mosquitos can make it inside.

Inside

I very cheap and effective system is mosquito netting over the childrens beds.

And finally, a secret we used in the Marine Corps.... Avons "skin so soft". It is good for the skin and works better than any over the counter bug spray. It also does not smell like the chemical sprays (off/cutter, etc.)

Answer 5

Thanks for the info. Got the wantrn lamp 5 days back. Keep it on between 6 and 11pm. It has killed 5 mosquitoes so far. Not great but better than nothing.

Besides this what works for me:

1. I like the mosquito bats - well the old 2 AA battery powered ones. The new rechargeable are too damn heavy for prolonged hunting
2. Clapping them out with your hands works, ichky but they are dead. Also when they are on roof, throwing something like BIG diaper pack wrapped in PVC squishes them. Need to clean up but again small price for kid to be bitten less.
3. the electric are okay too, though after a while mosquitoes harden up

* Need to try the child bands especially when outdoors
* After reading article - soot not good for lungs, dont plan touse citronella though ordered.  going to use when electronic not good enough, at least they will go to other room, keep it on for 30 minutes before sleep