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Post by txlulu on Apr 5, 2015 17:02:43 GMT -5
Here in North Texas, mosquito season is nearly here. I have read that Quakers are very susceptible to West Nile virus. We usually use citronella candles indoors when a mosquito or two get inside. I have read that citronella fumes are toxic, so I bought a citronella plant. Will that be OK? Any other non toxic ideas for indoor mosquito control?
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Post by easttex on Apr 5, 2015 19:00:17 GMT -5
It most definitely is mosquito season here in deep east Texas.  I don't think the plant itself would be harmful, but I also doubt it will be very effective. I don't think the range is that great for citronella. I rely mostly on good screens and try to eliminate standing water near the house. I don't believe mosquitoes travel far. Thick as they are outside, we only occasionally get them inside. Usually at night, in the bedroom. Fortunately for me, given a choice, most of them seem to opt for my husband instead of me.  If anyone else has any secrets to repelling mosquitoes, I'd love to read about them. |
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Post by aaron on Apr 6, 2015 0:23:13 GMT -5
Do mosquitos have much success biting birds with all those feathers? I guess they can go for the feet. I had never thought about that risk. Luckily it is not much of a problem where we are... but I too have heard that citronella plants are not incredibly effective.
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Post by txlulu on Apr 7, 2015 9:41:39 GMT -5
Oh well, its's a pretty plant anyway....also read that planting basil outside keeps mosquitoes away. Planted some in my herb garden on Sat. Will clean up the standing water for sure.
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Post by easttex on Apr 7, 2015 10:01:42 GMT -5
Do mosquitos have much success biting birds with all those feathers? I guess they can go for the feet. In addition to the feet and legs, birds are vulnerable around their faces. The feathers are sparse around the eyes, nares, and close to the beak. And without hands to swat with. |
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Post by aaron on Apr 7, 2015 10:06:14 GMT -5
Interesting. I had never thought about the risks of mosquitos and birds. There can be a lot of mosquitos on our back patio... I wonder if I need to be more careful about this since we do put Cupcake's cage out there for her to get some sun sometimes.
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Post by julianna on Apr 7, 2015 13:14:18 GMT -5
Well... I still have 3 feet of snow in my backyard so I don't have to worry about mosquitos at this point. However, because I live on the lake we do get a lot of spiders so I have my house, deck and all structures sprayed for bugs every spring. They tell me that within one hour it is safe for the birds however, I do not know what it is called. This spray kills a lot more than spiders as I will find all sorts of dead bugs during the first few days. I have noticed that without the spider webs, there are a lot less bugs in the area.
If ever a mosquito gets into the house.. I hunt it down until it is dead... lol.
We sure do have a lot of differences from where we all live.
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Post by aaron on Apr 7, 2015 13:17:57 GMT -5
Three feet of snow!? That is intense. I would have thought the spiders would help you keep the bug population down, not the other way around... not that I would want spiders all over my house |
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Post by msdani1981 on Apr 7, 2015 21:59:05 GMT -5
What part of the country do you live in, Aaron? Here in western Washington, we generally don't worry too much about WNV (we also have to watch out for our horses) because there haven't been many cases in the area. If we start seeing dead crows, that's when we start to think about vaccinating the horses.
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Post by aaron on Apr 8, 2015 10:42:45 GMT -5
I live in Northern Virginia, in a suburb about 15 minutes outside of Washington D.C. West Nile is not unheard of here, but it isn't super common. We hear about mosquitos testing positive for it, but it isn't too common to hear about people contracting it.
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