bug repellent for on the deck

[pontifex]

What do you guys use for bug repellent when you want to just sit outside and relax on the deck?

bugs are bad here and I want to find something that works great for keeping the bugs away. I'm looking for something portable that I could place on the table or on the deck somewhere to keep them away.

Preferably something reusable would be best if such a product exists.


Wonder if this would work? http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-Cordless-Rechargable-Insect-Zapper/dp/B00CO6WBAU/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

My parents used to have a big one when I was growing up but I don't remember how well it worked.

 

[highland145]

Gnats, mosquitos, flies....what?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Mosquito magnet
These work quite well.

 

[echo4747]

What do you guys use for bug repellent when you want to just sit outside and relax on the deck?

bugs are bad here and I want to find something that works great for keeping the bugs away. I'm looking for something portable that I could place on the table or on the deck somewhere to keep them away.

Preferably something reusable would be best if such a product exists.


Wonder if this would work? http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-Cordle...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

My parents used to have a big one when I was growing up but I don't remember how well it worked.

I dont think they make em anymore .. but once in a while you can find them on Ebay. It is called a blitz fogger kit. It turns your lawnmower into an insect fogger by dripping your fogging fluid into hot exhaust. All you do is put your DDT into the container start mowing your lawn and open the drip valve when the muffler is good and hot. It absolutely gets rid of all the bugs for 3-4 weeks at a time. http://www.simpletractors.com/attachments/blitz_fogger.htm

 

[pontifex]

Gnats, mosquitos, flies....what?

Everything

 

[pontifex]

Mosquito magnet
These work quite well.

Yikes! I would hope so at almost $300!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yikes! I would hope so at almost $300!

They come in different sizes /capacities. They are the only solution I know of for the Minnesota State bird.

 

[NoCreativity]

You could plant some Thai Lemon Grass. Supposed to be a natural mosquito repellant. Probably doesn't work for other bugs.

I would be tempted to get a wired version of what you have posted in the OP. There were several on amazon that got better reviews but obviously they are not as convenient.

 

[highland145]

Bought a burgess last year and some malathion to add to the liquid fogger. Good results the 1st application but then the applier got spotty with the application schedule. Lazy bastard. I did it later in the evening, stayed up wind (you don't want any if possible) and wore a canister mask. Looks like the house is on fire as the fog builds up.

Malathion is the same stuff that they used in the fogger trucks when I was a kid. We'd ride our bikes behind them.....kind of explains a lot.:\

 

[pontifex]

Sitting outside now and getting swarmed with little gnat type bugs. Put some off bug spray on and it barely helps.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Sitting outside now and getting swarmed with little gnat type bugs. Put some off bug spray on and it barely helps.

You can always go low tech and use mosquito netting.

 

[mizzou]

if you use one of those mosquito carbon dioxide emitters, just do it very very far away from your deck

that goes for the light zappers too. Those are not meant to be sitting next to you.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

A weber smokey mountain cooking ribs/butt/brisket over pecan wood, chugging along at 225f-250f makes for an amazing mosquito repellent.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

if you use one of those mosquito carbon dioxide emitters, just do it very very far away from your deck

that goes for the light zappers too. Those are not meant to be sitting next to you.

This I gotta hear. What exactly is your concern?

 

[highland145]

This I gotta hear. What exactly is your concern?

The co2 attracts mosguitos.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The co2 attracts mosguitos.

I understand that already. What I'm not understanding is mizzous concern regarding the placement of the mosquito magnet. Does he somehow think it emits enough CO2 to interfere with breathing?

 

[highland145]

I understand that already. What I'm not understanding is mizzous concern regarding the placement of the mosquito magnet. Does he somehow think it emits enough CO2 to interfere with breathing?

I'd think they'd be more happy munching on you than the magnet and you've already done the job of attracting them to your deck.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I live a block away from a small lake and I've got a swampy area across the street. We get lots of mosquitoes.

What works the best for my deck, is Thermacell lantern with the little blue square thing of insecticide and butane for the torch. It's like $25 or so to get started, and then the butane / insecticide costs are tolerable IMO.

It pretty much keeps 100% of mosquitoes from biting me when I sit out on my deck to smoke cigars or when I go to make a bonfire in the back yard. It's range is only about 5 or 6 feet. But it works very well.

I've used all the Deet type sprays, they help to reduce the quantity of mosquitoes pretty well, but not at all 100%. They smell bad and make your skin sticky. The 99.5% deet stuff works very well, but the weaker stuff is worthless IMO.

I've used foggers. They say they protect for 3 or 4 hours, but they protect for 30 minutes or less usually.

I have tried natural eucalyptus spray, it's completely worthless. (Fiancee doesn't like deet because her skin gets rash)

Permethrin based sprays work derently for a short time, but, I don't think it's necessarely worth the effort.

Picaridin based sprays seem to work ok, I'm not sure if I would rate them better or worse than the concentrated 99.5% deet ...

In any case ... ThermaCELL is awesome.

 

[spidey07]

I use Thermacells and love them. Buy the butane refills and pads in bulk from amazon and it's not too bad.

Agree on super high concentrate DEET, it works.

 

[BladeVenom]

What ever happened to the anti-mosquito laser system that was in the news a few years ago?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'd think they'd be more happy munching on you than the magnet and you've already done the job of attracting them to your deck.

They use both CO2 AND an attractant. The mosquito magnet works period. The size I linked covers an entire acre. You can locate it anywhere you want. They work great in Minnesota. The only place worse for flying critters and noseeums in the entire country is Alaska. You turn it on about 15 minutes ahead of time and no more skeeters or gnats anywhere in the yard. A tank of propane lasts about a week, longer if you don't stay outside except for meals.

 

[pontifex]

http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/lanterns/patio-lantern
Is that the thermacell you guys are talking about?

How long do the butane tanks and chemicals last?

 

[highland145]

They use both CO2 AND an attractant. The mosquito magnet works period. The size I linked covers an entire acre. You can locate it anywhere you want. They work great in Minnesota. The only place worse for flying critters and noseeums in the entire country is Alaska. You turn it on about 15 minutes ahead of time and no more skeeters or gnats anywhere in the yard. A tank of propane lasts about a week, longer if you don't stay outside except for meals.

Really? I thought it had to run 24/7. I've looked at them but the reviews are mixed....love it...it sucks...can't get the replacement part...

ATOT reviews carry more weight. Maybe when I'm done with that malathion I bought...

 

[Fayd]

i prefer living in a desert for dealing with mosquitos.

 

[BladeVenom]

i prefer living in a desert for dealing with mosquitos.

Scorpions, tarantulas, and desert vipers, but at least the mosquitoes aren't bad.