New favorite garden tool

[deadlyapp]

So I'm in Houston, and the local mosquito population is crazy here - both the big ones that fly around at eye level, and the really small ones that stay near the ground and nibble your ankles. Our HOA contracts with a mosquito spraying company, but the dispersal area is just not that great, and we can't use our backyard or spend anytime outside without being miserable. I'd looked into many things, and ultimately want to install a whole perimeter fogging system, but we probably won't be in this house more than a few years and the cost to set up a system (even DIY) is $1000+ and non-transportable.

Finally started looking into fogging systems and settled on a backpack setup and by god am I a fan. I originally only anticipated using it for fogging, but it also works as a great backpack blower in a pinch, which means I can stop using my corded and weaker blower. With the right products I expect to be able to be mosquito free for a month+ at a time, all with just about 30m or so of work.

 

[bbhaag]

This is most likely the worst thing I have ever seen for home gardening. This is not a "gardening tool" this is an abomination. This "tool" should never be used in an urban setting. You should not use this in any setting actually because it is a horrible device.

Look up IPM bro and what it means. Shit like this makes me sick....WTF is wrong with people? Do most people not understand the impact "bugs" have on our future? Do you not understand that when you fog your yard with synthetic chemicals with a device like this that it not only kills the "bad" bugs but it kills the good ones to??

 

[deadlyapp]

This is most likely the worst thing I have ever seen for home gardening. This is not a "gardening tool" this is an abomination. This "tool" should never be used in an urban setting. You should not use this in any setting actually because it is a horrible device.

Look up IPM bro and what it means. Shit like this makes me sick....WTF is wrong with people? Do most people not understand the impact "bugs" have on our future? Do you not understand that when you fog your yard with synthetic chemicals with a device like this that it not only kills the "bad" bugs but it kills the good ones to??

Thanks for your holier than thou response. Yes I understand that pesticides are a last resort and frankly speaking I've done everything I can to improve drainage, reduce standing water, and encourage a bat population but at some point there is nothing else I can do other than to spray. I'm not going to dose myself with deet every time I want to go outside for five minutes and I sure as hell am not going to wear long sleeves and pants every time. I've tried plenty of mosquito deterrents as well and nothing works with a broad enough area and long enough period of time to be worthwhile.

 

[highland145]

Ours were horrible too. The unexpected fix was taking down an oak after an ice storm damaged it. Turns out the middle was rotten and they were nesting in it. Went from swarms like you have to seeing a couple a year.

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for your holier than thou response. Yes I understand that pesticides are a last resort and frankly speaking I've done everything I can to improve drainage, reduce standing water, and encourage a bat population but at some point there is nothing else I can do other than to spray. I'm not going to dose myself with deet every time I want to go outside for five minutes and I sure as hell am not going to wear long sleeves and pants every time. I've tried plenty of mosquito deterrents as well and nothing works with a broad enough area and long enough period of time to be worthwhile.

Yeah sure bud whatever makes you feel better using your gas powered killing machine. In a way you are actually killing two birds with one stone........How ironic is that?

 

[Greenman]

Yeah sure bud whatever makes you feel better using your gas powered killing machine. In a way you are actually killing two birds with one stone........How ironic is that?

Mines electric. Gota watch that carbon footprint.

 

[bbhaag]

Mines electric. Gota watch that carbon footprint.

Yeah that's funny....tell me more about how you are saving this space for generations to come.

butterfly decline in urban areas - Google Suche

 

[Greenman]

So here's the deal. We don't have any idea what he's using in that fogger, so until there is some evidence of it being DDT or something along those lines, I'll go ahead and assume he's using something reasonably harmless. So rather than jumping up on your high horse why not ask what chemicals he's spraying, or if you have some knowledge on the subject recommend something that's environmentally friendly.

This isn't P&N where we attack those we disagree with on the assumption that they're evil people, things actually get discussed here, ideas exchanged. This area is about helping each other, not attacking each other. Chill out. Your anger is wasted and unwanted, try coming up with something constructive.

 

[bbhaag]

There is no good use for a "tool" like this and I can guarantee you that the synthetic chemical he is using in this "tool" that is going to be broadcast has nothing but a negative effect.

I'm not on a high horse here. Do the research and find out for yourself.

 

[WelshBloke]

So here's the deal. We don't have any idea what he's using in that fogger, so until there is some evidence of it being DDT or something along those lines, I'll go ahead and assume he's using something reasonably harmless. So rather than jumping up on your high horse why not ask what chemicals he's spraying, or if you have some knowledge on the subject recommend something that's environmentally friendly.

Is there something that selectively targets mosquitoes that you can put in that and that is harmless to the rest of the garden insects?

 

[Torn Mind]

There is no good use for a "tool" like this and I can guarantee you that the synthetic chemical he is using in this "tool" that is going to be broadcast has nothing but a negative effect.

I'm not on a high horse here. Do the research and find out for yourself.

It's possible the chemical used is a pyrethrin, which does occur naturally from chrysanthemum plants. Or it could be a pyrethroid.

As long as he isn't applying it into some nearby stream, they eventually will break down.

 

[deadlyapp]

It's possible the chemical used is a pyrethrin, which does occur naturally from chrysanthemum plants. Or it could be a pyrethroid.

As long as he isn't applying it into some nearby stream, they eventually will break down.

I don't think it matters what products I used unless I'm spraying pixie dust he won't be happy.

 

[Greenman]

Is there something that selectively targets mosquitoes that you can put in that and that is harmless to the rest of the garden insects?

I have no idea, and my hunch is that bbhaag doesn't either.

 

[Torn Mind]

I don't think it matters what products I used unless I'm spraying pixie dust he won't be happy.

Spinosad could be the greenest, most "natural" of the chemicals one can fog with.

 

[zinfamous]

bbhaag is correct. the people that make these abominations should have their businesses closed down, funds confiscated and donated to rehabilitation charities, wildlife renewal, plant restoration, etc (I mean, we actually need this stuff to live--these people are murdering more humans than anyone, ever. You want to know how the massive extinction that we are currently living in, is happening? It's this shit--and enough of the literate people on the planet know that, now. It's literally absolutely true. Get with the fucking program.)

Anyway, once' their fortunes are drained and donated to mend their extinction-level greed, they should all be sent to Gitmo (best use ever for it, really).

The owners of their products will be their prison guards.

(of course, as no one hates mosquitoes more than myself, and is also a bleeding-heart biologist that pretty much understands how these micro environments need to be maintained to uh, sustain human life; there are actual better ways to really eradicate those fuckers--which aren't even necessary--for good (this poison will never eradicate mosquitoes)---without murdering every other functioning arthropod, and thus life on this planet, as we know it--transgenic, sterile mosquito females, released into the wild, over generations. We can do this, and it will work. And no one has to murder billions of people just so they can "enjoy two months of backyard grilling," selfish ignorant fucks)

I mean...you're also sterilizing yourself, your family, and your neighbors, if that's enough of a sacrifice for you. So, good job. (seriously, that might help, in the end....)

 

[MrSquished]

I gotta say one thing I have not missed from leaving the burbs are mosquitoes. Not like they are the worst in Jersey compared to other states, but we did have a zapper where I grew up and always had citronella candles.

Around here, there simply aren't any.

But yeah. Chemical warfare, that shit will kill you.

 

[bbhaag]

I have no idea, and my hunch is that bbhaag doesn't either.

You could not be more wrong. There is no natural or synthetic insecticide that only targets "bad" bugs.

On a side note don't forget that this week is national pollinator week. I'll link a pdf if any one wants to read more details and expand their knowledge but here is an exert from it.

History and purpose
Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership, and fourteen years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.

Here is a link to the full pdf if anyone is interested in reading why this is such an important issue. Especially in urban setting but not limited to rural settings. After all that is were a lot of our food comes from and while I do enjoy self pollinating plants like corn and grains I also enjoy fruit and vegetables to.

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/2021-Pollinator-Week-Toolkit.pdf

More info can be found at. https://www.pollinator.org/

 

[bbhaag]

Spinosad could be the greenest, most "natural" of the chemicals one can fog with.

As awesome as Spinosad and BT are they are unfortunately ineffective against certain "bad" bugs like mosquitos. They are geared more toward munching insects like caterpillars and beetles.
Even as awesome as these botanical insecticides are they should NEVER be fogged or broadcast unilaterally. That is what IPM(integrated pest management) is all about and why it should always be used not only in commercial settings but residential settings to.

 

[highland145]

So the answer is.....

 

[bbhaag]

So the answer is.....

Even as awesome as these botanical insecticides are they should NEVER be fogged or broadcast unilaterally. That is what IPM(integrated pest management) is all about and why it should always be used not only in commercial settings but residential settings to.

 

[highland145]

So that guy is coming to my house and,fix the problem? Happy to pay for,that.

 

[bbhaag]

No unfortunately you would need to educate yourself on the practices of IPM. Self education of the general populace is an ongoing effort because as can be expected they are very stubborn to new ideas. Most people are creatures of habit and getting them to adopt to new ideas like IPM(even though it's close to 15 years old)is difficult.

 

[zinfamous]

So the answer is.....

Do you like drinking clean water, fishing and swimming in coastal areas that aren't consumed by red tides, and eating plants (because they haven't all been made extinct)?

If you like those things, then the answer is simple.

(OK, that also gets into fertilizer and nitrate loads being pumped into the water table, moreso than pesticides, but it's all part of the same "lawn maintenance" criminals that come around and are really only killing humans when they are telling you that they only want to give you a pretty, unnatural, "green" lawn)

 

[highland145]

No, I do not. Righties hate Mother Nature and we inbreed our kids so they can play the banjo.


Sounds like sterile females is the way to go. Must be horrible expensive else that would be happening all over.

Ma used to let us ride behind the malathion skeeter truck. I think she was hoping we'd get hit but might explain my male pattern baldness.

 

[Greenman]

No, I do not. Righties hate Mother Nature and we inbreed our kids so they can play the banjo.


Sounds like sterile females is the way to go. Must be horrible expensive else that would be happening all over.

Ma used to let us ride behind the malathion skeeter truck. I think she was hoping we'd get hit but might explain my male pattern baldness.

Back when men were men California sprayed the whole damn state with malathion to get rid of medflies. There was a problem with bugs and we by God solved it.