Mosquitos! Help!

Updated on October 12, 2008
A.M. asks from Stephenville, TX
27 answers

We are planning an outdoor movie party for my daughter's birthday. The only problem is that we have mosquitos! Last night we were outside and I tried the citronella candles, but they didn't seem to work. Granted they were from the dollar store, but they should have done something! :)

I checked the yard for standing water, but there was none. I have no idea how to get rid of these things. We really only need them gone for a few hours. Any suggestions?

1 mom found this helpful

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R.H.

answers from Abilene on

I have heard to use Listerine. Spray the Listerine directly to the yard or area around the patio. I have not tried it this year but let me know if it works.

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J.J.

answers from Dallas on

I haven't tried this myself, but I received an email stating that if you use Listerine in a spray bottle, it keeps the little demons away. The family that sent the email said they sprayed their lawn and deck with Listerine and supposedly it worked.

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C.S.

answers from Dallas on

I know this is going to sound out of it but it really owrks. Use Listerine. Do half water, half listerene. Spray it around the areas you will be. Trust me, it really does work

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe this will help. We had a pool party for my husband this summer and we used a home remedy and to our surprise it worked after trying many other things. You have to use a sprayer similar to the kind and exterminator uses. I picked up one (2 gal.) at Sears on clearence for 10 bucks but I'm sure you could probably find one at Walmart somewhere. We sprayed a few days early before the party to see if it was going to work so if it didn't we would have time to try something else.It worked! It kept the mosquitoes away for almost a month. If you keep spraying it on your yard we were told it would make your grass greener also. Ok, here's the recipe:
2 beers
2 coke
1 cup amonia
1 cup dish washing soap (preferrably one with lemon)
Mix it all together in 2 gal. of water and spray on yard and around shurbs.

We have used it twice and so far we have had great results. No mosquitoes so we can sit out by the pool at night, which we have never been able to do. Hope this helps and good luck with your party. Let know how it works for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

We use mosquito foggers and we fog about an hour before we entertain in our backyard. It usually takes 4 - 5 cans. But,we have a pool and many flowers and shrubbery - mostly landscaping with no grass so, lots of places for mosquitos to congregate. They work great. I also have used the citronella tiki torches and they help. Most of this can be obtained from Home Depot and Garden Ridge. The tiki torches give the backyard a nice glo.

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B.P.

answers from Amarillo on

spray the area with listerene mouth wash.

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T.W.

answers from McAllen on

Try spraying listerine.

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

If you try the listerine do a test night before the party because it DID NOT work for me.
If it doesn't work, do the yard sprays that others suggested. Just try them on evenings before the party to make sure it works.
As extra protection Avon also makes a gentle bug repellant called skin so soft & I love the smell. Its actually a bath oil. Just spray everyone down with it.
Good luck

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J.A.

answers from Dallas on

My mother-in-law loves the little Off candles that come in black/white lanterns. Whenever we sit outside they really seem to help.

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T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have also heard people swear by the Listerine in a spray bottle trick. Although I have heard that it has to be the brown listerine--might be worth looking up online.

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

At Home Depot, they sell a fogger that you can set off in your yard. It is supposed to last for an all night event. I have no idea if it actually works - but sounds wonderful!

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

I don't like chemicals but you have to stop the skeeters.
If we are going to be doing anything outside like that, I spray the perimeter with deep woods off, as it says on the can and sometimes I spray it twice around. I walk around the yard and spray it, and sometimes I also spray around "sections" that people or children will be in. (careful of the wind direction) I go around the slides and furniture and don't spray them, that would be one of the sections I circle.

Also, if we go camping or hiking or such and it is needed, I don't spray any on the skin, I just spray the front and backs of our shirts real quick.

I have also used bounce dryer sheets. You are supposed to rub them on your clothes but, I can't rub them on my children's. You can wipe the backs and bottoms of chairs and leave them there or somewhere.

good luck, it sounds like fun

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M.C.

answers from Amarillo on

I know this may sound crazy, but a friend and I were just talking about this today. Listerine mouth wash, put some in a spray bottle and spray it around the area and even on yourself and they will not come near you. Only listerine though, the other mouth washes don't work. Have a great party!

M.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

We use this Cutter yard spray you hook up to your water hose and spray everywhere really good. We are outside a lot and we don't have any problems..You can get it at Walmart, Home Depot, Target etc..

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R.

answers from Dallas on

Go to Lowes, get triazicide spray that hooks to your hose.
All it needs is time to dry.
It gets ants, fleas, spiders as well.
If you have pets, keep them inside while it dries. Do the front and back yard. Might as well get them critters out of both.

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

I am a listerine believer!!! My mom sprayed her whole patio the day before 4th of July and we didnt get a single bite the for 3 days!!! We didnt use any kind of mosquito repellant on ourselves and it was safe for my kids. I didnt have to worry about them touching where she sprayed and best of all............the patio smelled minty fresh!

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J.G.

answers from Abilene on

Dear A.,
I have found Listerine works spray the area around and the people also there is anything in it that will hurt you. good luck and God Bless
J. G

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L.J.

answers from Dallas on

My husband bought an electronic device call a Thermacell at Academy and it works great. It is small and light and runs on batteries. You just put it where you want it and turn it on. It works great. If you have a big yard, you may want to get a couple of them. Also, you can buy the citronella torches at Garden Ridge. You just stick them in the ground and light them.

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V.S.

answers from Dallas on

Buy a cheap off brand type of listerine (the smell strong/yuck kind) and put it in a spray rig and spray your yard with listerine. It really does help. You can cut it with water, but if I was going to have a party, I'd buy two big bottles, cut it half and half with water, and drench my yard a few hours before the party.

Voila! no mosquitoes.

VickiS

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C.G.

answers from Dallas on

You also might check your gutters. I cleaned out the standing water in mine and that's where our problem was coming from. Good luck!

C. in Cedar Hill

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

We have sprayed for mosquitos in our patio before... you can buy some spray at home depot. You definitely want to do it a day or two before the party b/c it may be toxic. Also, it may not be standing water from your home. We had a neighbor that did not clean his pool. It was green! Finally, they cleaned it and we are not seeing as many mosquitos. Good luck!

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A.J.

answers from Dallas on

Check the bushes that is where they like to hide out. spray some mosquito repellent everywhere and get some candles from target... I think the dollar store stuff is not strong enough.

or have a pest controll company come out we use american services and they spray the yard for about 100 bucks or so and it gets rid of spiders, ants, mosquitos...

If you need any help with birthday supplies, stationary, favors or gifts, give me a call!

Good luck
A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.,

I posted the same question a week or so ago, so here is the link to the responses I received.

http://www.mamasource.com/request/17990520705841627137

Honestly, what I found to work best were the 24 hour defogger spray cans that you can start spraying the yard a day or two before and then spray the day of. These seemed to keep the mosquitos at bay for the 24 as it said on the can. My husband bought two cans, we've been using it for a week and we are still on the first can. Good luck and enjoy the party!!
PS we spray at night before we go to bed to minimize any effects on my son and dogs!

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D.R.

answers from Dallas on

I tried listerine and it works better than anything I've tried before including those deet sprays.
And not only that it keeps on working for about 2 days.

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R.R.

answers from Dallas on

My son in law found something at Lowe's or Home Depot that you attach to a water hose and spray around the yard hours before the function that seems to help. You may want to try that section and ask for assistance.

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

Run by Home Depot or Lowes and get some yard spray for Mosquitos.. My mom lives next to a creek and they swear by the stuff.

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hello A. we found this great product called Cutter bugfree outdoor. You attach it to your hose and water the lawn, plants, and deck. It works very well and is pet and kid friendly. There is also no odor. You can purchase this product at Lowe's, I do not know about Walmart or Target. Good luck

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