MOSQUITO CONTROL
MYTHS & TRUTHS
TRUTH
Truth
(Products that work)
Top EPA Gold Standard Repellents: -
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Deet (500 products)
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Picaridin (known as KBR 3032 and Picaridin outside the US) (about 40 products)
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R3535 (3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl] - aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester) (about 45 products)
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Oil of Lemon of Eucalyptus (OLE) or Para-Menthane-diol (PMD) (about 40 products) **3 years and older
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20-Undecanone (1product)
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Catnip oil- EPA pesticide regulatory information ( Nepeta cataria, also known as catmint) (4 products)
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Avon's Bug guard plus
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Bug Light - will attract fewer bugs at night
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Mosquito Dunks will not allow mosquito larvae to grow in water - safe for animals
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Fan - Mosquitos cannot fly against a fan
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Thermacell Machine- active ingredient is allethrin
** ALL REPELLENTS APPLIED TO SKIN SHOULD BE SMOOTHED ON.
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Myths / Scams
(Products that do not work)
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Spartan Mosquito Eradicator - These are based on a "yeast trap" design. The manufacturer will not release any scientific proof that they work. In addition, they have been debunked repeatedly by independent research.
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Fabric Softener Sheets
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Bug Zapper- Does not truly attract mosquitos, will also attract good bugs.
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Bat House- studies show they are more “hungry” for moths, plus bats carry rabies. If you have a bat house put it far away from your home. http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/do_bats_really_control_mosquit.htm
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​No bite armbands
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Listerine mouth wash
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Citronella Candles- must be right next to you. Not the best repellent. It's just the smoke that keeps the mosquitos away, not the citronella. You can use just a regular candle.
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Citronella Plant / Mosquito plant- you would need hundreds to keep mosquitos out of your yard.
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Bird House/Purple Martin Bird House- studies show they would rather have a juice moth than a mosquito. Plus they are roosting at High Mosquito time.
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Tiki Torches- It's the smoke that will help keep the mosquitos away. Not the product
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For additional information about mosquito control, check out Colin Purrington's Website. He covers several forms of mosquito control in detail. - Colin Purrington
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