Earthbox Mosquitoes? Drat!!

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, greenesmith. This user is located in Zone 6b NYC. This was originally posted on August 5, 2009.

I don't know, panty hose sound like a lot of work - and if you don't iron, like me, 1 1/2" expansion plugs go in and out and are pretty easy.  And, I bet they cost same or less than those cans of spray starch.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, MacSmiley. This user is located in Zone 4b in South Dakota. This was originally posted on August 6, 2009.

The company makes a no-iron wrinkle remover spray with a green cap. At any rate, that's usually how I use Magic Sizing most of the time anyway. Spray and hang clothes. Harvest cap.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, grandmamac. This user is located in Zone 7 near Edinburgh, Scotland. This was originally posted on August 8, 2009.

I'm covering the filling tubes with the caps from small bottles of liquid washing detergent. They fit exactly and don't blow off in the wind.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, Texas.Micky. This user is located near Houston, TX Zone 8b - 9a. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

Before I stumbled across this I was sure that my tastiness to mosquitoes was the reason I never escaped without a new blemish. Apparently my DNA allows my skin to off gas more CO2 or some such and mosquitoes find me from miles away.

Anyway, I have been wondering about how those little not so darlings come from the direction of the boxes most times.

Grrrr, now I'll have to see about covering the in/out orifices.

I like the bronze/brass wool idea better than nylon or hose due to the fact that in the humidity and heat here the cloth-like material would encourage voracious mold.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, JB. This user is located in Springfield, VA z7 New AWS. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

I read a "did you know" type fact (published by researchers at a University in Sidney) that mosquitoes can smell (taste?!) their victims up to 30 miles away. I have to douse myself in spray before tending my boxes, even though I use the dunks!

JB

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

I bought one of those OFF! clip-on motorized repellants, and guess what.... it works!. If you're not moving around a lot, it really does create a no-bite zone around you. Of course, it won't work if you're walking around from here to there, so fast the zone can't keep up with you. I found it very effective when I was in one spot, setting up my boxes this Spring/Summer.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

Ok Mickie, share which one did you use? Any idea of the brand, I tested them for a couple of years at my old job......but was never sure they worked?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on July 23, 2009.

Ok Mickie, share which one did you use? Any idea of the brand, I tested them for a couple of years at my old job......but was never sure they worked?

It's made by OFF!... I believe it's fairly new since this year they've been advertising on TV. It's operated by battery for the fan, and a cartridge fits inside. It has an indicator window to show when the cartridge needs to be replaced. One of the local TV stations did a "Deal or No-deal" product opinion test, and it was rated as Deal. One guy was a landscaper who says he won't work without it now.

I got the gizmo on sale for $10, and the refills run about $5 per 2-pack.

http://www.offprotects.com/clip-on-mosquito-repellent/

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Horticulturalist The EarthBox Hero Member, kathy. This user is located in the mountains of PA Zone 5, almost 4. This was originally posted on August 10, 2009.

Thanks...I did just look at this one, but didn't buy it. Now that I have done my annual blood donating  allotment to the mosquito world. I can try new products.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, MacSmiley. This user is located in Zone 4b in South Dakota. This was originally posted on August 11, 2009.

The other day I purchased Germ-X Advanced Protection hand sanitizer.

After I started using the product, I noticed the size of the cap seemed vaguely familiar.

Yup. It fits.

So those who don't happen to iron or spray their clothing, you now have an alternative. If I bump into any other suitable caps out there, I'll let you know.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, barry34785. This was originally posted on August 13, 2009.

I haven't noticed any mosquitoes in my Eathboxes.  I have an irrigation hose system hooked to all of them where I just turn the water on and wait until it flows out the drain holes.  I can turn each one off so the water goes to the ones that need it most. 

I have noticed fire ants living in the soil amongst the plant roots.  Anybody know how to prevent this?

I live in central Florida.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, queensgrt. This user is located in Charlotte, NC Zone 7. This was originally posted on August 13, 2009.

The orange cap/lid from a Gatorade bottle is a good fit on the fill tube, that solves one mosquito entrance.  I also plugged the overflow hole with a cork and drilled a new overflow hole in the side.  This new hole, at the same level as the original, is closed with a cork.  When I water I remove the cork until water comes out and then put it back.  Now all access points for insects are effectively blocked and we've had no problem with mosquitoes in our EB's this year.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, MarysGarden. This user is located in Watervliet, NY(upstate) USA Zone 5. This was originally posted on August 17, 2009.

I use the plastic caps form gallon water or milk jugs...

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, MacSmiley. This user is located in Zone 4b in South Dakota. This was originally posted on August 18, 2009.

Are milk/water gallon caps are standardized throughout the nation? Do they sell milk with bigger caps in your area?  Here, they are just small enough not to fit for me.

Large bottle drink caps do fit perfectly, as you say, but they are easily blown off their thrones with a good stiff wind... of which we have more than our fair share in South Dakota. That's why I thought of trying the longer seated caps on in the first place.

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, spbmag1. This user is located in N. FL -- Central\Eastern Panhandle, Zone 8B. This was originally posted on March 28, 2010.

Thanks for the can top idea.  I am a newbie (set my first EB up today) and was worried about mosquitoes.  I immediately went to the laundry room and found a laundry detergent bottle cap that fits perfectly (tin foil is now on the laundry bottle).  I still plan to get some of the tablets tomorrow though -- I hate mosquitoes!!