Question
QUESTION: We have a huge bug problem in our backyard. I can hardly send my kids out to play because when they come in they are covered in bug bites. I am trying to use as little chemicals as possible since they are still young and seem to be sensitive to chemicals. I know there are plants that I can use to help repel the bugs. However all the ones I have heard about require full sunlight. We have a massive oak tree in our backyard that is right over the play area. We planned the area that way so the kids would be shaded when they played. Our biggest problem is the biting insects, but we also have a gnat problem in the grass as well. The kids play area is mulched in with playground mulch.

ANSWER: Any idea what bugs these are?

There are a lot of things you can do right now, but only chemicals would be broad spectrum -- and that spectrum would include the kids.

Birds love bugs.  Get yourself some Birdbaths.  Birdfeeders are not necessary in the summer; you want carniverous birds to eat breakfast at your house every morning.

Bats get a bad rap, but they are quite benign most of the time and they debour mosquitoes like there's no tomorrow.  But they have special needs, too.

At this point, hatched insect larvae would be maturing and exploding into your yard.  It's too late to get them before they hatch, but think of the future.

Please define "bug" and I will be able to help you.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Our biggest problems are the mosquitoes, but I think we might also have something else really small that is biting, not sure what though. In the grass area we have a ton of gnats, if you look out across the yard it looks like a cloud is hovering over the grass. We do have ants as well, but they all seem to be the small black, or large black ones. I think they are harmless. I have not seen any red ones.

What would I have to do to attract the birds, and especially the bats, and would the owl and the hawk that live in our neighbors yard eat or scare either off.

Thanks again.

ANSWER: Let's start with the Mosquitoes.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation's Wild About Gardening website posts advice for those who have this problem in Canada.  They write: "To diminish Mosquito populations, attract birds that eat insects on the wing (they catch flying insects in the air). The main ones are swallows such as the Tree Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, and Barn Swallow. The Eastern Kingbird also catches flying insects.'  They add: 'Even some seed-eating Birds can help control mosquitoes, since this is what they feed their young in the Spring.'

You can read the whole q&a session here:

www.wildaboutgardening.org/en/gab/section4_faqs/birds/birds2.htm

This of course depends on where you are fighting this battle of the bugbites. If you would like to share that detail we could go into more depth.

There is another trick you have surely heard about, as far as Mosquitoes, and that's the standing-water problem.  University of Kentucky devotes a whole series of tips to minimize the Mosquito problem on its website:

www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef005.asp

Did you know some Mosquitoes lay their eggs in a dry container and wait for rain?

Their advice is directed at people who live in Kentucky, where two species of Mosquitoes with different habits predominate.  But there's some general information too you may find helpful: 'Adults of some Mosquito species remain near their breeding site. Others can travel long distances, even up to several miles. Because of this, problem Mosquitoes may come from breeding sites some distance away.'

Again, this depends on where you live.  If you are in a region where Mosquitoes don't stray far, you can assume that there's a Mosquito-friendly breeding ground right under your nose; find it and you've solved the problem. If not, you'll need to work harder at the other stuff.

All my birdbaths -- I have 5 -- get a wafer of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) that I pick up at Home Depot.  This bacteria is harmless to people, pets and birds.  But it wipes out Mosquito larvae soon after they hatch, and works three months.  I have found them quite effective.

'Bats and certain types of birds (Purple Martins) often are cited as effective natural agents for managing Mosquitoes. Conservation groups and articles in nature magazines often suggest building Bat- and Bird-houses to promote nesting and to protect against mosquitoes. However, Mosquitoes make up only a small portion of their natural diet.'

There is actually a backlash against the inflated claims of a manufacturer of Purple Martin Houses who claimed Purple Martins eat 2000 Mosquitoes per day.  Research does not back up that feature at all.

When scientists check their stomach contents, they find that few, if any, Mosquitoes are consumed by Purple Martins, with one exception: A single Mosquito found near a swamp in Texas years ago; its stomach was filled with them.  Are you in Texas?

Still, that was a single solo Bird -- roadkill actually.  The late Ornithologist Herbert W. Kale II authored a piece on 'The Relationship of Purple Martins to Mosquito Control' for the Florida Audubon Society.  Kale lamented that 'it is unfortunate that generalizations without citations concerning food habits appear in the popular or ethnological literature, for these references are often quoted as basic scientific sources. Even in several of the state bird books that are supposedly scientific and rigorously edited, it is often impossible to determine whether food habit statements are based upon data collected by the author, or upon the scientific literature, or upon the popular literature.'

He added: 'For several years, biologists have been mystified over the origin and source of the oft-quoted figure "a martin eats 2,000 Mosquitoes per day.'

Anyway, most Mosquitoes are nocturnal.  Birds are not -- but Bats are.

Folks in Maine became famous in 2001 for their novel Mosquito Management techniques. 'Rather than spraying pesticides, the Wells Chamber of Commerce sells bags of dragonfly nymphs,' reported NHPR.  'Every Spring for the past four years the Dragon Lady Queen, otherwise known as Wendy Griffiths, drives her truck to an insectory in Massachusetts and picks up stryofoam coolers full of Dragonfly nymphs.'

Dragonflies, unlike Purple Martins, are true Mosquito predators. They like Gnats, too:

www.nhpr.org/node/1067

Then there's the Mosquito Magnet, rated tops by Consumer Reports a few years ago when they compared Mosquito destroying zappers and lures.  It's expensive, but if you can get one, it is the ultimate Mosquito nemesis.

I would not give much credence to the planting of various flowers and herbs to 'repel' Mosquitoes.  They are no match for the lure of a warm blooded sleeping mammal.  Citronella candles are slightly more effective, but won't have the dramatic effect you are seeking.

Because Mosquitoes breed in open water, there are no earth-bound Nematodes or other IPM magic wands to eradicate them the way you can eradicate Japanese Beetles and Termites.  But Mites are another story.  This again very much depends on where you are; different Mite species prevail in different regions, and the Nematodes that nix them may strongly prefer certain species over others.  So tell me where you are fighting those Mosquito crimes and we can continue this timely topic....

L.I.G.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in Marlton NJ, which is in Burlington County in South Jersey, about 1/2 hour south of Trenton.

Most of the bites are occurring in the morning or late afternoon into the evening. My son does not handle the heat well, he doesn't sweat, so they don't play outside in the hottest parts of the day.

The bites were the worst when the back of our yard was overrun with ivy from our neighbors yard, but now that we have gotten rid of about 75% of the ivy it is better, but not gone.

Answer
Government stats count 63 species of Mosquito in the borders of the Garden State, which boasts not only the oldest but the most advanced anti-Mosquito program in the nation.

100 years ago, in fact, New Jersey was so badly plagued by Mosquitoes that parts were considered uninhabitable in the Summer.  Largely because of the program that was set up to deal with that, the people of N.J. no longer sleep under Mosquito nets to get a good Summer night's sleep.

ALL need water to reproduce.

As you probably know, only females are biters.  They use the blood to make eggs.  Between blood meals, some drink flower nectar.

Once the eggs are made, it's time to lay them.  This is where behaviors vary.  Many Mosquitoes will only lay the eggs on water.  But some are 'container-dwlling' -- they pick a spot where water is expected to collect later, a dip in the ground, maybe a future puddle, and they will lay their eggs right there where there is NO water.  Eggs can remain dormant for months, waiting for rain or a garden hose.  Black-and-white Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus aka Stegomyia albopicta), which seek Human blood and hunt by day, are one of the species that do not depend on ponds or puddles.  They can survive without water as long as 6 months.

But some Mosquito eggs will hatch in 2 to 3 days under perfect conditions.

Aedes albopictus tends to stay fairly close to their birthplace.  Average flight range is 700 feet or less.  These Mosquitoes are known for their hit-and-run system, taking quick bites and escaping before the victim even knows what's happened.  They can bite 4 or 5 Birds, People, or Mammals to get the bloodmeal they need.

N.J. Mosquito experts Dr. Wayne Crans and Anthony DiEdwardo consulted some Florida officials on how to get a handle on their Mosquito problems and prepared videos for Rutgers University, also posted on this website, which your children will find fascinating:

www.co.hernando.fl.us/mosquito/biology.htm

It includes videos of a female 'drilling' for dinner; a Mosquito laying eggs; eggs hatching; and larvae breathing.

My guess is you have an Asian Tiger Mosquito problem.  They lay eggs on the ivy when dry, then pray for rain.  And it comes.  That's why removing ivy has helped a bit.

New Jersey is a state that has shown a sharp increase in populations of this particular blood-sucker.  If this is indeed A. albopictus, you should be aware conclusions reached in a CDC report: 'This Mosquito has increased tolerance to Malathion, Temephos, and Bendiocarb.'

The CDC also notes: 'Although source reduction programs, which eliminate breeding in tires and other water-holding containers, are expensive and difficult to carry out, they provide the only long-lasting solution to the problem.'

Let's read that again:  '...the ONLY long-lasting solution...'

Where are these Mosquitos coming from?  Find out.  Look.

Traps are expensive, but at least they're usually effective.  Not so for Asian Tigers.  Typical traps have MINIMAL impact on A. albopictus populations.

However, a new, improved trap model combines dry ice (for CO2) plus a blend of Ammonia, Fatty Acids and Lactic Acids to lure female Mosquitoes with an odor that mimics red-blooded Homo sapiens.  It's made by Biogents, a German company.

How good is it?  In March, when Mosquito experts from all over the world held their annual meeting in Turin, Italy, researcher Christian Engelbrecht presented his findings on 'Continuous Trapping of Adult Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) With BG-Sentinel Traps'.  Bottom line: This product works.

Given that you are resident (and taxpayer) of Mosquito Control Central, I think the best advice I can give you is to contact your state officials and ask for help.  Your tax dollars at work.  If you were NOT a New Jersey resident -- me, for instance -- I would recommend the BG-Sentinel Mosquito Trap:

bg-sentinel.com

Notes Biogents, 'With a UV-kit, it can be turned into a trap for biting Midges and other insects that are attracted to UV.'

I wish I could give you cheaper information -- these Mosquito traps do not come cheap -- but this is right now the state of the art.  Start here:

www.rci.rutgers.edu/~vbcenter/outreach.php

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER