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Free Mosquito Spraying Mail

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by L0stS0ul, Jul 10, 2020.

  1. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    Anyone else get a letter today about a free mosquito spray in the neighborhood? The website indicated is here

    https://moshield.com/ashburn-public-notice/

    The mosquito infestation is quite bad this year and would love to have the yard treated but unsure if this is a scam or not.
     
  2. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Nothing is ever truly 'free'. They will provide a 'free treatment' that will basically provide little to no value, and then try to up-sell you on all the other treatments they will claim you need to get rid of the mosquitos. And when you complain that it isn't having the desired effect, they will claim the mosquitos are coming from your neighbors who didn't fall for their 'deal'...

    Best thing you should do is get rid of any standing water. After it rains, take a quick walk around your property and empty out any standing water from pots, plants, toys, etc. If you get rid of most sources of standing water, you will have made it much harder for mosquitos to breed and become a nuisance.
     
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  3. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    I was wondering about that. One of the issues we have in our yard is that 5 houses drain into it and flows down to the large sewer drain a few houses down the hill. To stop the flooding of our yard VM put in a french drain in and I'm pretty sure that is where all of our mosquitos are coming from. Just have no idea what to do about it and our bug company won't go near the drain as it goes to the sewer.

    Chiggers and Mosquitos have been destroying my dog and son this year. It's like nothing I've ever seen. Our normal pest people don't claim to deal with either. Would love some ideas on that :)
     
  4. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    We've had good luck using a DynaTrap in our yard and front porch. They're quiet and easy to maintain. They're not like the old bug zappers you're used to seeing. These attract mosquitos, etc using a UV light. When the flying critter gets close enough, it gets sucked into the reservoir below and eventually die from dehydration. Super easy to clean, just empty out the reservoir into the trash and you're done. These aren't cheap, so look for a sale at a retailer. We have two dogs and our son loves hanging out in the yard. They worked for us, so hopefully they will help you as well.

    https://dynatrap.com/products/
     
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  5. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    awesome, I will look into those.
     
  6. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    If you can see standing water and can access it, throw in some pieces of Mosquito Dunk. It's a non-toxic bacteria that kills mosquito larvae so they never make it to adulthood. I used them years ago when a neighbor's hot water heater was leaking (for months) into shared common property. It formed a small pond by the time I found it and it took months for the landlord to fix their leak. It works. You can buy them in bits now.
     
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  7. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    Thanks, I'll take a look into those as well. When I open the drain I don't see standing water but it is damp in there even after several days of heat like we have had. Not sure if the neighbors sprinkler is keeping it going or what.

    Thanks again for the ideas. I'll be doing some shopping this weekend
     
    Mr. Linux likes this.
  8. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    I never got this mailing but I just signed up for moshield. I am being eaten alive this year. I get big welts from bites and have about 20 on me now-- not fun.

    Should have first treatment this week. They pro-rated my service for 1/2 season as they usually run April-October. If interested, I'll let you know how it goes.
     
  9. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    I would be interested to hear how it goes. I'm not entirely sure what is eating us alive. The most prevalent mosquito we have is the Asian Tiger Mosquito that are small and black and hard to see. Those usually create a pretty nasty welt with a clear puncture point in the middle. The bites we're getting destroyed from include those but the worst look more like a rash and is getting up under cloths. The insect guy said most likely chiggers but our yard doesn't really have the environment for them. Our insect guy was supposed to have sprayed for them though and it has not helped. I've basically banned my son and dog from using the yard until I figure something out.
     
  10. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    I think we have biting midges in the area.
     
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  11. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Same thing here! My dermatologist said this is the worst season she’s ever seen so far. I have at least 15 bites and even on my knuckles of my hands...this royally sucks!


     
  12. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    This is probably the safest product to use since it's targeted to mosquitoes. Does it attract other insects too?
     
  13. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I think last years mild winter contributed. I always hope for a long hard winter freeze to kill off the population of ticks, chiggers, fleas and any other annoying insect.
     
  14. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Yea, we'll get some moths in there and other weird looking flying critters. Never saw a bee in there or anything, which was one of the things I was worried about.
     
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  15. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    Just had my first Moshield spray today. The owner came out and was really nice. We walked the property and I pointed out areas of concern— both for mosquitoes and for good insects (like our milkwood).

    He said that the residue is not impacting to bees or butterflies and that it’s mostly oil based (like garlic and cedar oil among other things). He did say there would be a garlic smell that goes away after a bit (and there is). Dry time is about 30 minutes.

    Second treatment is next week then it’s basically an every two week thing.

    Will keep you posted.
     
  16. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I heard they are supposed to avoid spraying pollinator type plants/milkweed, and cedar oil must be completely dry or it could harm bees and butterflies.
     
  17. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    Yes, they do avoid pollinating plants by default.
     
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  18. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    Second treatment should be today. It's hard to say definitively, but I think its been helpful. I have not gotten any new bites and I see a lot less mosquitoes. The ones I have seen have been in the garage area so they may have been trapped or fled. So far, I'm happy.
     
  19. dsd

    dsd New Member

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    So far so good. I've seen some other biters but the mosquitoes seem way down. I will keep it for next year...

    Hope it helps!
     
  20. L0stS0ul

    L0stS0ul hmmmm

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    Wanted to revive this thread and see how people are getting on with the sprays/etc. We purchased the 1/2 acre dynatrap and while it has cut down on the moths and stink bugs it has not helped with the mosquitos. I've also tried dunks in the french drain but I'm pretty sure that's not where they are coming from.

    I'm a bit at my wits end here. My son went out to play on his ninja line and was absolutely eaten alive when he forgot to put on bug spray. In less than an hour he had at least 20 bites. Many of them are hard to count because they look like 2 or 3 bites in the same area. I don't know what to do other than cover him head to toe in deet.
     

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