Need to Spray for Mosquitos - Hire or DIY?

[hondaf17]

Guys,

I need to get my mosquitoes under control. This is our 2nd summer at a new house and last year the mosquitoes were brutal. We have a .65 acre lot that is bounded on three sides by either woods or a creek/pond. Mosquito central.

I have looked into getting sprayed for Mosquitoes. A professional company will charge $530 for 6 applications. $315 for 3 applications. They say the applications last 3 weeks. Seemed expense so made me think I can buy the equipment and do it myself.

My neighbor will split the equipment cost with me and we'll spray both our yards. We could get:

1) Stihl SR 200 gas powered sprayer/blower for $420.
2) Sprayers Plus 105e electric sprayer for $220.

Then I believe you just add Malathion (diluted to package specs) and spray away.

Does anyone spray their own yard for mosquitoes? Any helpful tips or suggested equipment / chemicals? Will off the shelf chemicals last 21 days like the professional bids?

Curious as to suggestions and tips anyone has.

TYIA,

 

[mxnerd]

Even after spraying, you probably need Mosquito Dunks for ponds.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Summit-12-in-Mosquito-Dunks-6-Pack-110-12/100334779

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mosquito-Dunks-6-Count-Organic-Mosquito-Killer/30473847

 

[mindless1]

I'm sure they'll OFFER to spray for mosquitoes, but I don't see how that's going to be effective. They're coming from areas of standing water so a dunk like mxnerd linked should be effective for those areas but if your "creek/pond" is moving water, that's going to wash away and have doubtful effectiveness.

I live fairly near a pond but it isn't on my property, about 120 yards away. I just put on mosquito repellent if I'm going to be outside for long in late evening and avoid mucking around near shrubs which seem to be where they hang out to stay cool in summer, and religiously police for nearby sources of standing water. I do have a rain barrel but keep it reasonably well covered.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Bug Zapper - maybe two?

Oh wait, this is about spraying.

 

[hondaf17]

I own right up to the creek but do not own the creek. So I'm sure it would be illegal to put some mixture in the creek. Plus it's moving water so it would just get washed away anyway. The creek flows into the pond and I can't put anything in the pond either.

If spraying wouldn't be effective I guess we could just get something like this and fog whenever we know we'll be outside:

https://www.amazon.com/Burgess-1443...7-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[highland145]

I own right up to the creek but do not own the creek. So I'm sure it would be illegal to put some mixture in the creek. Plus it's moving water so it would just get washed away anyway. The creek flows into the pond and I can't put anything in the pond either.

If spraying wouldn't be effective I guess we could just get something like this and fog whenever we know we'll be outside:

https://www.amazon.com/Burgess-1443...7-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop

This. Way cheaper than your 1st suggestions. I use (used) the burgess liquid and added malathion that I picked up from the local farm supply. Spray in the evenings when the wind is down and it's good for a few days. Not your option but my best solution was taking down a massive oak in the back yard. Little fucks were nesting in some of the rotten cavities. Prior to, outside was unusable. Now I might see 4 mosquitoes a year.

Also, wear a canister mast. $30 or so at HD/Lowes. The liquid and malathion are supposed to be safe but...

 

[olds]

Build bat houses. The bats will do the rest.

 

[mindless1]

^ You're sure bats will go after something as small as a mosquito? We do have bats here, that I hear a lot every night, sleeping on our porch or front door even, but they don't seem to go after little stuff as much as moths. I mean if they're into mosquitoes they can just go to the water, not fly in the opposite direction where there are far fewer of them.

 

[olds]

^ You're sure bats will go after something as small as a mosquito? We do have bats here, that I hear a lot every night, sleeping on our porch or front door even, but they don't seem to go after little stuff as much as moths. I mean if they're into mosquitoes they can just go to the water, not fly in the opposite direction where there are far fewer of them.

I lived next to a pond. The first two weeks were bad when the mosquitoes came out. After that, the bats would find them and I never had as much of a problem with them. We used to sit in the yard at dusk and watch the bats go after them. My daughter was about 5 at the time and was both fascinated and scared of the bats.