Outdoor Pest Control - mosquito control

Any tips for keeping skeeters out of an area? Do these "skeeter evaporators" work? The ones that run on propane, supposedly draw them in and dry them out?

Here's what I have about mosquito control.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/
http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-information/faq.aspx
http://www2.yardiac.com/long.asp?item_id=4802&tgs=4175848:37402161&cart_id=

I would suggest you google for any product you plan to purchase to see what others have to say about their effectiveness.

Newt

Many synthetic pyrethroid materials (repellant in nature) will work with varying degrees of effectiveness to control mosquitoes by treating the foliage where they land. I generally see about 50-60% reduction when treated regularly. If there is a lot of ivy, pachysandra or other low-growing foliage, it is important (and tedious) to treat the undersides of the leaves (where they prefer to stay at rest).

If there is a breeding source, no mater how small the water source, you will have a much more difficult time controlling them.

A caveat here when using pyrethroid and pyrethrin products. A pyrethroid is the synthetic form of the natural pyrethrin, a pesticide made from flowers. Even the natural form of pyrethrin can be toxic.

From this site:
http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pesticides/pesticides/pyrethrum/pyrethrum-about.htm


People with respiratory problems need to be very careful when using this product. People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) should NOT use or be exposed to this product!!

From this site:
http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pesticides/pesticides/pyrethrum/pys-tvedten.htm

Some synthetic pyrethroids are already suspected by the EPA as being carcinogenic. Long-term or chronic exposure to pyrethrum causes liver damage especially when used with the synergists and Freon propellants; causes allergic reactions and is a neurotoxin. Synthetic pyrethroids have a very complex chemistry, most are primarily termite repellents. Dr. Nan-Yau Su, Professor of Entomology for the University of Florida, has observed termites tunneling through pyrethroid-treated soil by lining their tunnels with clean soil particles. See: Permethrin. (The use of pyrethroids should not be used for longer than 3 - 4 months in a commercial kitchen area or you will quickly create chemical resistance in the pest population.) Persons with respiratory problems are more sensitive to pyrethrins. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be on medication that affects sodium and potassium ion diffusion through neuron axons, so avoid the use of pyrethroids. Do you really believe anyone in the poison industry asks if anyone has MS before they start spraying their poisons? Pyrethroids can modify behavior in a number of ways.

If you intend to use one of these products, don't think just because they are available over the counter that they are safe for everyone to use. Many are also toxic to fish and some to birds. Read the label carefully, go to the website and look at the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), and do some research on the chemicals listed.

Newt

You could make an environment conducive to attract bats. I have a couple of bat boxes on my barns and the bats seem to enjoy flying all over eating mosquitoes.