Mosquito repellents and other products that claim to kill mosquitoes are available during the summer months. However, how effective is mosquito fogging, bug zappers and citronella candles? Do mosquito foggers really work?
Is a Mosquito Fogger Effective?
The short answer is YES. Mosquito control options are plentiful, but some are more effective than others.
Professional mosquito fogging can be used effectively for immediate mosquito control when they are used correctly and by pest control professionals. Adult mosquitoes caught in the “fog” of insecticide float through the air and are killed. Mosquitoes can be controlled quickly and easily with this method. However, this is not a long-term treatment. Only mosquitoes that get caught in the fog will die, and the fog dissipates quickly. In order to catch as many pests as possible, you must be extremely thorough with the fogger. For mosquito control, you’ll need to treat your outdoor spaces on a regular basis. Pre-event mosquito fogging is also popular among some homeowners.
Mosquito Control Options
Depending on the severity of your mosquito problem, a pest control company can devise a customized strategy to help you enjoy your outdoor space free of mosquitoes. Some other techniques may be suggested depending on your situation. Mosquito fogging is a common professional method. While DIY misting appears to be similar to mosquito fogging, the products that a professional will use are more effective than what you can typically find at a home improvement store. Bait stations designed to attract egg-laying females can target these insects at any stage of their life cycle. Adult mosquitoes and their nesting areas can be more effectively targeted by a pest control expert who knows where these tiny pests hide out during the daytime.
Larvicide is another method of controlling mosquitoes in their habitats. Mosquito populations are reduced by preventing mosquito larvae from maturing into adults rather than suppressing them. However, this method does not target adult mosquitoes, so it will take some time to see results.
It is also possible to use bug zappers to get rid of mosquitoes. Devices that attract mosquitoes and either trap or kill them are known as “mosquito traps”. Bugs can be zapped to death with a jolt of electricity by some people. Others use carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes so that insecticide can be sprayed on them.
On a regular basis, this method of mosquito control is effective. The general population is kept down for a while, but only if the trap or zapper is kept active. Multiple zappers may be required for larger properties in order to see any real results.
Mosquito Control Methods that Don’t Work
Despite what you may have heard, there are a number of debunked methods of mosquito control that simply do not work. Candles scented with citronella, for example, are of questionable efficacy. Citronella candles, on the other hand, have been found to be less effective than using a fan to dissuade mosquitoes from common outdoor areas. It is possible to use animals that eat mosquitoes to control mosquito populations, but these aren’t typically animals that you want near your home (bats), and it takes large numbers of these animals in order to control a population effectively.
Products like citronella and lemongrass are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no guarantee that your preferred “natural” repellent actually contains what it claims to. Furthermore, there are no studies that show sonic repellents are effective in repelling any bugs. Although this is the worst part, it’s not even close. In some cases, so-called “mosquito controls” actually attract more mosquitoes. Carbon dioxide traps, for example, can draw a greater number of mosquitoes to the trapping area.
Because each mosquito trap can only kill so many insects, the net effect may be an increase in the number of mosquitoes rather than a decrease. Furthermore, these traps can harm or even kill beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Working with professionals who can customize a treatment plan for your unique situation is essential.
