Is a discussion about natural mosquito repellents pertinent in this group?

[OneGrassRoot]

We've had so much rain over the last year in NC, and that's going to be our norm going forward, that I really want a good strategy for mosquitos, especially because my toddler grandson is now here. Certainly I'm already doing the common sense things about making sure there's no standing water, scouring the area for any discarded bottle caps and such smaller things, etc.

I purchased Mosquito Magician because, after researching, it has the blend of natural oils and ingredients purported to be effective mosquito repellents while not repelling or harming beneficial insects. And I have mosquito dunks safe for bird baths.

But I have 2 questions if anyone here is using natural repellents for mosquito control, and I'm not able to get clarity by Googling.

Are there best practices you follow? Like, since we're not actually killing (too harmful to other insects), is there a certain time of day that you've found to be more effective? I've read that applying it to ground cover, leafy/mulchy areas and the bottom areas of bushes and trees is best. And maybe trying to create a perimeter barrier around one's yard. Any other suggestions in that regard?

Also, have you seen the viral mosquito trap thingie using a 2 liter bottle?

This Bob Villa link has one iteration of the trap, and 2 other things I'd never heard of.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/diy-mosquito-trap/#:~:text=TWO%2DLITER%20TRAP&text=You'll%20need%20a%20cup,and%20let%20the%20granules%20dissolve.

Any thoughts and suggestions are most welcome!

[in2herbs]

1. I am all for natural. I don't do any gardening but I do know that natural insect repellent

is not very effective against any insect except for maybe the first 45 minutes. After that time it's like the fragrance that deters insects has diluted into the air and repeat applications are needed. Have you tried spraying DE, the non-pool kind? I read that a few drops of vegetable oil into a water trough will keep mosquitos away from the horse's water source. Maybe spraying veg oil onto plants??? Just a suggestion.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Interesting. I will definitely check that out. Thanks! n/t

[csziggy]

5. I put cheap goldfish into my cement water troughs

And the little pond next to my house (actually a 300 gallon water trough with a 100 gallon syrup vat (fiber glass mold of one). I buy the "feeder" gold fish, really cheap ones and dump them in in the spring if it looks as though the herons and the raccoons have fished out too many.

The fish not only eat most of the mosquito larvae, they also eat algae and keep the troughs cleaner.

Fish will not live in the galvanized water troughs. Mine are cement and plastic, so the fish do fine.

[multigraincracker]

2. Have you thought about putting up bat houses?

A little brown bat can consume between 600 to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour. A nursing little brown bat mother may consume as many as 4,500 mosquitoes in a single evening, more than her own body weight in insects.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. I never had, but only because of a scary childhood experience...

(bat got caught in my hair), so while I know bats are great, that scares me...lol. If there were a way to put it in the back of the yard, but have deterrents for getting anywhere near us when we're outside at dusk, that would be great.