Mosquitoes

[heights]

Has anyone else noticed the mosquitoes in the Heights are absolutely vicious the last couple of days? I haven't seen any spraying trucks lately, either.

Do any of you HAIF-er's have a Mosquito Magnet or one of the other trapping devices? If so, do they work?

Edited October 22, 2011 by heights

[barracuda]

Has anyone else noticed the mosquitoes in the Heights are absolutely vicious the last couple of days? I haven't seen any spraying trucks lately, either.

Do any of you HAIF-er's have a Mosquito Magnet or one of the other trapping devices? If so, do they work?

Yes, I have noticed. I haven't tried the mosquito magnet, but I'd be willing to buy if it works. I was outside earlier for about 30 seconds and was bit 3 times through clothing.

[TheNiche]

Yeah, its been like that north of the loop as well.

[Ross]

The downside of the 3 inches of rain we had.

[RedScare]

I was just outside for 30 minutes with the dogs, as I am every night, and didn't notice any. Earlier this summer I would get swarmed within seconds of going outside, so this is a nice improvement. Right after the rains I noticed an increase though.

[Ross]

It's pretty bad in Timbergrove the past few days. We have to go in and out pretty quickly to keep the little buzzers out of the house.

[sevfiv]

Terrible by Hobby last night!

[barracuda]

I walked outside this morning, and there were dozens if not hundreds swarming around the mulch bed near my door. It's the worst I've ever seen here. My old perception that mosquitos only thrive during wet conditions is obviously wrong.

[toadfroggy]

I was about to start a thread about this myself. I've never seen them this bad. It's the middle of the day and I just got around two dozen through the slap method--it would be satisfying except that it doesn't even put a dent in the swarm. I hate wearing repellant, but I think I'm gonna have to...and also put some on the dog where he can't lick it.. They're driving him crazy too.

[TheNiche]

I'm going for a walk. If I do not return by nightfall, avenge me.

[Porchman]

Niche? Niche! Did you make it home?

I had to fog my yard to complete the basic mow-and-sweep today. (Don't get in my face...I use Eco-Smart). They were swarming me as if they were conspiring to kill me This was like post-Ike. They are slow, however. I usually can smack them dead and my cat is getting a large dietary supplement from those which sneak inside. She loves chasin' and eatin' skeeters.

I am relieved to hear that this is a problem elsewhere in the 'hood. I was starting to wonder.

[Utinga]

Really bad in Northside Village as well. We can't seem to open and close the door quickly enough. Wish our kitty was into the little buggers, she plays as well as a wet towel.

[silverartfox]

They're bad all over the Eastwood area, too -- since about 10 days after our 3-inch rain.

[TheNiche]

Niche? Niche! Did you make it home?

I had to fog my yard to complete the basic mow-and-sweep today. (Don't get in my face...I use Eco-Smart). They were swarming me as if they were conspiring to kill me This was like post-Ike. They are slow, however. I usually can smack them dead and my cat is getting a large dietary supplement from those which sneak inside. She loves chasin' and eatin' skeeters.

I am relieved to hear that this is a problem elsewhere in the 'hood. I was starting to wonder.

Eventually yes, I did return home. The big ones were visible in the low-angle sunlight from a distance, almost like flies. But the little ones were the worst. I have bites on my feet, and I was wearing running shoes! How the hell did that happen?

[ricco67]

What i'm surprised about is that there was enough standing water for them to reach maturity. those little moo's are flying around in packs.

I think I saw a group of them carrying away a cat.

[OutfieldDan]

What i'm surprised about is that there was enough standing water for them to reach maturity. those little moo's are flying around in packs.

I think I saw a group of them carrying away a cat.

Walking the dog this morning was terrible because of the mosquitoes. They're swarming and the breeze is gone so they attack relentlessly. They must be breeding in the sewer. Everyone, call 311 (M-F 6am-8pm) and get the city to spray. We haven't had any mosquito control in at least a year.

Edited October 23, 2011 by OutfieldDan

[ricco67]

Walking the dog this morning was terrible because of the mosquitoes. They're swarming and the breeze is gone so they attack relentlessly. They must be breeding in the sewer. Everyone, call 311 (M-F 6am-8pm) and get the city to spray. We haven't had any mosquito control in at least a year.

mosquito spraying would have been pointless because the eggs were dormant because of the lack of rain, but now it would be rather useful. I think even the bats were happy, they put on a particularly spectacular show a couple of nights ago.

[barracuda]

Walking the dog this morning was terrible because of the mosquitoes. They're swarming and the breeze is gone so they attack relentlessly. They must be breeding in the sewer. Everyone, call 311 (M-F 6am-8pm) and get the city to spray. We haven't had any mosquito control in at least a year.

Early in the summer the city was still spraying my area every Sunday evening. They stopped sometime mid-summer.

[sevfiv]

I think they were spraying downtown last night - at least that's what it tasted like..

[Porchman]

I released a Houston mosquito in Dallas tonight. (What's the symbol for grimacing smile?)

[Utinga]

I released a Houston mosquito in Dallas tonight. (What's the symbol for grimacing smile?)

Damn, what type of monster skeeter are you trying to spawn? The outcome of a Houstonian skeeter mated with a Dallasville skeeter could bring Texas to her knees!

[heights_yankee]

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Mosquitoes-swarm-but-relief-is-on-the-way-2232913.php

[SilverJK]

They are terrible this year, for most of the summer they have been bad at dusk/dawn, but the past few weeks they are bad 24/7. I've notice the "no-see-ums" are much worse this year too. (i feel like you normally notice mosquitoe bites immediately, these take a few minutes to notice and then you have like 10 bites). My friends and I got in from Longboarding Friday night around 1am and we were quickly chased inside by those vampires.

[Highway6]

This must be a very localized problem. I had a friend mention to me yesterday that he had half a dozen get into his place this weekend. That was in one part of Montrose half a mile from me. But in my part of Montrose, I haven't seen a mosquito all summer. I was outside enough over the weekend I should have seen the latest infestation.... but nada.

So in short, Sucks to be you people.

[samagon]

Had a BBQ on my neighbors porch last night. Citronella candles burning, mouthwash splashed on the porch, and mosquito repellent which consisted of 97% DEET was liberally sprayed.

I apparently didn't get complete coverage (well, on purpose really, DEET plus plastic watch face = melted plastic watch face) so my wrist around my watch looks like a mosquito war zone. We eventually ended up inside.

[Fringe]

This must be a very localized problem. I had a friend mention to me yesterday that he had half a dozen get into his place this weekend. That was in one part of Montrose half a mile from me. But in my part of Montrose, I haven't seen a mosquito all summer. I was outside enough over the weekend I should have seen the latest infestation.... but nada.

So in short, Sucks to be you people.

LOL. Maybe they just are not attracted to you because it's definitely not localized. Worse it's been all year at my house in Sugar Land and at work in the Rice U area. Even getting attacked in the middle of the day.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Fringe

[ricco67]

Damn, what type of monster skeeter are you trying to spawn? The outcome of a Houstonian skeeter mated with a Dallasville skeeter could bring Texas to her knees!

Plus, the skeeter's fashion sense will probably take a dive while cratering its credit score.

[Highway6]

LOL. Maybe they just are not attracted to you because it's definitely not localized.

Then I am surely blessed.

[OutfieldDan]

http://www.chron.com...way-2232913.php

According to the Chronicle, Harris County has no plans whatsoever to spray. The excuse is that they never spray unless West Nile breaks out. Other surrounding counties are spraying aggressively. I ask everyone to call the county and complain about their policy.

713-440-4800. Calling may be impossible though. I've tried five times yesterday and today and it seems they've taken the phone off the hook. There's no provision for voice mail. Harris County Precinct 1 Office 713-755-6111.

[ricco67]

According to the Chronicle, Harris County has no plans whatsoever to spray. The excuse is that they never spray unless West Nile breaks out. Other surrounding counties are spraying aggressively. I ask everyone to call the county and complain about their policy.

713-440-4800. Calling may be impossible though. I've tried five times yesterday and today and it seems they've taken the phone off the hook. There's no provision for voice mail. Harris County Precinct 1 Office 713-755-6111.

I'd rather have the county save a few bucks instead of spraying for such a short season.

Perhaps you need a donation for some DEET related products?

[OutfieldDan]

I'd rather have the county save a few bucks instead of spraying for such a short season.

Perhaps you need a donation for some DEET related products?

We don't know how short the season is going to be. Thursday it's supposed to rain again, and it's looking like another mosquito muster. Our quality of life is diminished and Harris County is being obstinate about taking action. What good is the County anyway if they don't even answer the phone by taking it off the hook? Why isn't our Mayor or City Councilman speaking out to get action?

[kylejack]

Mankind's most important endeavor is destroying mosquitoes.

[samagon]

Mankind's most important endeavor is destroying mosquitoes.

They should have eradicated mosquitoes before smallpox.

[Fringe]

I suspect it's only a matter of time before everyone in the Heights has malaria.

[Geoff8201]

According to the Chronicle, Harris County has no plans whatsoever to spray. The excuse is that they never spray unless West Nile breaks out. Other surrounding counties are spraying aggressively. I ask everyone to call the county and complain about their policy.

Well, that's it then, every other county is spraying, so they all came here.

I rarely get swarmed when going outside, but these last few days have been like something out of an end of the world, or horror movie.

Even though rain is coming tomorrow, colder weather is following. That oughta drive the little bastards back underground.

[RedScare]

I was just outside for 30 minutes with the dogs, as I am every night, and didn't notice any. Earlier this summer I would get swarmed within seconds of going outside, so this is a nice improvement. Right after the rains I noticed an increase though.

I must now recant this post. The last 4 or 5 days they have been horrible. Worse, they've gotten in my house. They come in through the dog door, whenever you open the door, everywhere. Luckily, I am not allergic to their bites, so they only itch for a few minutes.

[heights_yankee]

I must now recant this post. The last 4 or 5 days they have been horrible. Worse, they've gotten in my house. They come in through the dog door, whenever you open the door, everywhere. Luckily, I am not allergic to their bites, so they only itch for a few minutes.

As of 8 am this morning, I am convinced they are actually aliens conducting experiments on humans. I have four bites, in a straight line, right up the lower part of my spine. This can only mean that they are tapping my spinal fluid. What other explanation could there be? It all makes sense now- their sudden appearance, their staggering numbers, their unrelenting swarming in the face of repellant. Aliens, I'm telling you.

[Highway6]

Still have not seen a single mosquito, day or night, inside or outside.

.... I wonder if my Citronella Right Guard has anything to do with it.

[Adam79]

Mosquitoes are very common in every where, Beyond its itching pain it spread a lot of diseases too. while answering your question , "how to avoid mosquito bites and its entries in rooms?" you should find out how the mosquitoes are attracted? that will help u to solve your problem.

Mosquitoes are attracted through various methods . Body odor, Color-Dark,Carbon Dioxide, Pregnancy, Movements, Some Sounds, Vit B1, Lactic acid,Moisture,Body Temperature etc.are some examples for attractiveness.among these few we can change to avoid mosquito entry to rooms -- bath with soap wipe out body odors 7 lactic acid for few hours , reduce room moisture, avoid dirty cloths hanging in room, diet change will help to reduce lactic acid production.

USE OF REPELLENTS

REPELLENTS & mosquito Nets also useful, most REPELLENTS are not long lasting , Odomoos has only few hours activity , some natural repellants are Citronella Oil

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Cinnamon Oil

Castor Oil

Rosemary Oil

Lemongrass Oil

Cedar Oil

Peppermint Oil

Clove Oil

Geranium Oil

its effectiveness vary species to species of mosquito family .

Prevention is better than quire, so make your home surrounding clean & use mosquito nets.

[samagon]

buying a rosemary plant at your local nursery is a great value, you may look silly rubbing your legs on a plant every 15-30 minutes, but it really works. not to mention it doesn't smell too bad. plus you can use it in your food ;-)