How do I keep the 10 million mosquitoes that live in Florida out of my horse barn?
By d'ArkHorse from Sarasota, FL
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Hello,
I have been a Large Animal RVT for many years. Please go to your local feed store and ask them. Please remember to put on fly masks on your horses as you know they can end up with "fly Strike" Please keep their water clean as the mosquitos will breed in standing water. But, being a horse owner I am sure you already tknow all of this. You cannot spray anything toxic in the barn. Put up screens and keep most doors closed especially at night
Mosquitos, we have bought citronella plants, you should be able to find them at a local nursery.They look like sawgrass.When they get big enough you can separate the plants to have more to plant other places. Flies, I go the dollar store and buy those strips they work great.
I recently read in the newspaper that having a dryer sheet sticking out of your pocket will work. The scent keeps them away. Another tip I read is to mix 9 parts water to one part Listerine (preferably the yellow one-mouthwash) in a spray bottle and spray is around the yard.
Good luck.
Update:
Well, it's not good news. The beer has attracted flies of all kinds. Huge fat ones and smaller variety have now come to my yard.
I've stopped using this recipe and am really disappointed because I did have good luck at the beginning.
I used the fly drowner recipe and am getting rid of the flies:
pour apple cider vinegar in a styrofoam/plastic dish; the dish has to have a lip because you'll need to pour 1/4"-1/2" of apple cider vinegar in the plate.
Then take Lemon dish washing liquid (it HAS to be Lemon) and squiggle some on the vinegar in the dish, top to bottom. In the morning I had a ton of flies big and small, lots of small flying things. Why it works now and didn't before, I haven't a clue.
So I'm still looking for a recipe to get rid of mosquitos, so please keep sending them in!!
I tried Robitussin cough medicine; vanilla; avon skin so soft, regular bug repellent spray w/out deet; alcohol; peroxide (ok I was desperate); avon skin so soft and alcohol; sage; planting marigolds - no luck, they still bite.
Bounce dryer sheets (sometimes they work and sometimes they don't). Someone on this site said the Bounce sheets have to be the original scent, but
I can't find Bounce in my grocery store that says 'original' on the box. does anyone know what the 'original' spray is called?
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On this site there is a recipe under getting rid of mosquitoes that calls for -
1/3 part flat Coors beer*
1/3 part epsom salts
1/3 Listerine - the brown one
Mix all together in spray bottle and spray area.
It worked for me.
I didn't use Coors beer, I just used any kind of beer in the fridge.
make sure you dissolve the epsom salts by shaking the spray bottle really well and for a good amount of time.
I went through three spray bottles that wouldn't spray the mixture once i had put it in the bottle.
but at the end of the day, I think when the epsom salts really completely dissolved, my spray bottle worked like a charm. it worked keeping mosquitoes away too, but not gnats or other flying things. but it did kill a lot of other kinds of bugs too.
As far as flies mine aren't in a barn, but I had to spray them as they flew by or sat down, but it also helped to spray the area and it did help keep flies away. I live in Houston, Texas, USA and we have mosquitoes, bugs, unidentifiable things even in the winter.
I tried avon skin so soft and most of the other recipes for mosquitoes, but they didn't work for me.
I tried vanilla extract and have to re evaluate the results because I was using other things at the time.
Check this site; there's a lot here.
Good luck too!
I'm sure other people have mentioned it but my favorite bug repellent is old fashioned amber Listerine. I've even tried the cheaper Walmart brand but it's not as effective as the potency of the genuine Listerine. I'm serious people I live on Long Island NY right on the south shore and the mosquitos are horrendous.
Still a few spritzes of Listerine on my bare skin areas and I can reach into my flower gardens and fruit gardens and the mosquitoes fly off in other directions. hopefully the next generation of insect doesn't mutate and build up a resistance or Immunity to the Listerine lol (lol yes, but seriously) so I definitely speak for Listerine when dealing with mosquitos. I'm going to pour some in my basement drain tomorrow morning because every year I have a crap load of skitas around my basement door just waiting on a good meal :)
I also give my cats a little spritz when they go outside so they don't bring any bugs in with them. Also, so those pesky mosquitoes don't harass them either. I tried the vanilla extract but it didn't quite work. I did however purchase citronella plants over the past few summers and they seemed to work when I place them around my front door, but because my basement door doesn't get any Sun I didn't bother.
Unfortunately the people behind me have giant pine trees lining the back fence which blocks all the Sun from reaching the back of my house. (leaving that area damp and always musty) oh well, that's the way it goes when your house has huge side property and little back yard.
Be blessed friends and thank you thrifty fun for all the great advice I've gotten over the years.
Gia in Oceanside NY
Hurricane Sandy? Bah Humbug? We are Long Island's South Shore! 8 feet of water in my house, thank God for a second floor. One neighbor lost her life that night in the flood. I miss her friendship. Stubborn people will not accept help, please insist they do, it may save a life one day. Peace and grace to you all <3
The coffee ground answer seems interesting. I'd ask at a convenience store, coffee store, restaurant-wherever to see if you give them a bucket for grounds would they save them for you. If some coffee grounds sprinkled in water or thin coffee sprayed gets them gone . . . Then awesome!
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How do I get rid of flies and mosquitoes?
By Bunny from Ripley, TN
I don't know about flies, but mosquitoes can be controlled somewhat. Of course you know to keep all outside containers and any "spots" where water collects emptied out. We are creating our own rain barrels and keep buckets around the perimeter of the house to catch rain water.
By Linda
I like that idea, but have to find out where I can get dried tomato leaves from. But sure will try that. For the mosquitoes someone somewhere had said to use Listerine in a spray bottle, I found this to be great. But you have to remember to do it after it rains.
I read somewhere else that taking an empty gallon milk jug and filling it with 2 cups of water and 1 cup each of vinegar and sugar and hang it far from your place. I have mine about 100 ft away on a fence post and haven't had flies on the deck, but the house needs those tomato leaves. Definitely will try this and thanks. (07/16/2009)
By Bunny
There is very little you can do for either, I used a large fan when I am sitting outside to keep the flies away, this helps some. My brother said, a large Ziploc bag filled with water and hung around in the ceiling, make sure that the refection of the sun shines on the bag. He said this will keep flies away. As for, mosquitoes, just spray yourself with the Deep Wood Off. You can also try burning citronella candles. You can get them cheap at Family Dollar, General Dollar store, or Dollar Tree. Mosquitoes are at their worst in the morning and late in the evening, so you might want to avoid going outside this time of day. I read once where a man did spray his lawn with Listerine mouth wash and had no problem with insects! (07/17/2009)
By elva
Try using those Bounce fabric softer sheets pinned to the outside of your clothes or belt. I heard they work pretty good, also. (07/17/2009)
By elva
A friend of mine was having problems with critters, flies, spiders, etc. She found this stuff called Hot Shot for different types of critters only at Lowe's in our area. Nobody else around here carries it. Anyway, she has had no further problem after her purchase and trying this remedy. She stated that it lasts for up to three months before having to repurchase more. I've not tried it myself. (07/19/2009)
By Dana
To get rid of those mosquitoes, flies and bugs out of your home, try this; hang bunches of dried tomato leaves in all your rooms. They will leave fast.
I got this from my sister and although people laugh at first, try it...it works. Get a clear zip lock bag, we use the qt size, fill it with water and hang it up. I can't explain it but I started doing this last year and no flies.
I have a lot of flies in my house. I open the door for my dogs to get out in the yard and then I have all these flies, where do I put the water bag, by the door? Inside or outside? (11/05/2005)
By mary
Hi Mary,
I've seen them put on the outside near the top of the door or window. I think that they see it as a threat (the light hitting it) so they don't come in.
Susan from ThriftyFun (11/05/2005)
By ThriftyFun
Do you think that this would work for a barn? I have been raising baby chicks, ducks, and geese for about a month now. I keep them in a brooder in the barn, but their "waste" had brought so many flies. My husband and I tried this powder stuff from the store that was supposed to kill the flies but it did not work. Do you have any suggestions for this? (04/24/2007)
By mod5188
