Mosquito's and Astronomy or Mosquitos vs. Astronomy
MikeCollins
Those of us in the south and soon those of you in the north will be
experiencing mosquitos.
Along with a hat and long sleeve shirt and long pants i've put OFF on
and still get my hands bitten quite alot. I go inside and spray up but
then wipe the area around my eyes and the inside of my hands.. i know
what off does to some plastics, i don't want to test in on my
eyepieces via my hands or face....
What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?
What about a fan?
Is Cutter really better than Off?
Burning mosquito repellant coils does not sound good.
Is their anything i might soak my observing outfit (shirt and pants)
in and then let dry that would keep them away.....
Please anyone who has had some success please post here and let us all
know...
thanks,
mike
spam free, please post here....
Ron
MikeCollins wrote:
> Those of us in the south and soon those of you in the north will be
> experiencing mosquitos.
>
> Along with a hat and long sleeve shirt and long pants i've put OFF on
> and still get my hands bitten quite alot. I go inside and spray up but
> then wipe the area around my eyes and the inside of my hands.. i know
> what off does to some plastics, i don't want to test in on my
> eyepieces via my hands or face....
Absolutely correct. In addition, you don't want to use aerosolsaround
your mirrors. They'll definitely spot your Al coatings.
> What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?
Forget these. They were meant to be used in enclosed areas suchas
barns, stables, lanais, pavillions, etc. They are ineffective out in
the open and will not control mosquitoes and keep them from biting
you. They may also attract them to your area. Mosquitoes find
their hosts by flying upwind in the CO2 plume exhaled by the hosts.
So, if you place your zapper in the wrong location, you will only
usher more of them to you. Also you don't want the zapper's
light interferring with your observations or astrophotography.
Another thing, the blue light is the wrong wavelength to be
attractive to most mosquito species. An ordinary 40 watt
incandescent light bulb would be far more effective in these
devices but then that would spoil your observing too.
> What about a fan?
If you mean blowing them away, that would be impractical.Mosquitoes can
easily fly in wind speeds from 0 - 5 mph. On
the other hand, if you can find a location that has good constant
breeze well above 5 mph, that may help.
>
> Is Cutter really better than Off?
No. The active ingredient is DEET (diethyl toluamide). Theeffectiveness
of repellency will depend upon the concentration
of DEET and so will the cost. Most are about 30 %. I have
used some fomulations as high as 95 % but I wouldn't recommend
these around telescopes and equipment.
> Burning mosquito repellant coils does not sound good.
> Is their anything i might soak my observing outfit (shirt and pants)
> in and then let dry that would keep them away.....
>
Very good question. Yes there is a compound called Permethrinthat can be
sprayed or applied to clothing (DON'T put directly
on your skin!). Permethrin will act both as a repellent and
mosquitocide. It is available from pest control suppliers. If you
have a mosquito control district in your area, ask them where
you can buy it locally. They should know. Permethrin is also
good for repelling ticks and mites. So if you have Lyme disease
in your area this will give you double protection.
Another thing you can do if you can get a supply of permethrin
is to pretreat your observing area well before you set up your
equipment. Of course, now you will need spraying equipment.
A Hudson 2 or 3 gallon hand sprayer will do. Mix it correctly
and follow the labeled directions. You can apply it to bushes,
shrubs, grass, weeds, fences, etc. all around your observing
area. This will act as a screen or barrier against mosquitioes.
It worked for me in south Florida. But you will still need to
put on some DEET over your exposed skin as well.
One other thing about mosquitoes is that they tend to be worst
in places where one boundary meets another. Such as, in a
meadow and close to the tree line of a forest or woodland area.
Or if you are out in the open, avoid being next to a clump of
bushes or shrubs or other vegetation. This is especially true
for floodwater mosquitoes such as Psorophora and some
Aedes spp. A good spot would be on top of a hill or mesa
which would also be a great place to observe from.
I would contact your local mosquito abatement district or if
none, your agricultural extension agent (USDA), for other
innovative measures that can be taken.
Jeff Morgan
I have actually had good luck with the 100% DEET product. I believe it was
the OFF brand, it comes in a small pump spray bottle. The reason I feel it
is better is that I can spray a small amount on my clothes and back of
neck and it seems strong enough to keep them away from the unprotected
areas too.
One lesson I did learn: it is "standard equipment" for me, so it goes in a
small tool box with tools and accessories. Returning from Winter Star
Party by plane, the pressure difference induced a leak in the spray
bottle. Didn't hurt the wrenches of course, but the stuff covered my red
flashlight. The black plastic surface began to dissolve. One could only
imagine what direct contact would do to optical coatings and eyepiece
barrels!
In article <352C8BAB...@flagmail.wr.usgs.gov>, Ron
<rwi...@flagmail.wr.usgs.gov> wrote:
--
Jeff Morgan
email: substitute mindspring for nospam
tim harincar
Don't overlook taking the offense - destroying breeding sources. If you
observe on your property, take steps to remove all mosquito hatching
areas.
While mosquitos can range a number of miles, I read a study that showed
most mosquitos will range much closer to there hatching point. In other
words, it's quite likely that the one that just bit you was born within
walking distance.
Standing water is the key. Remove anything that can collect water for
more than three or four days. Especially if that water has any kind of
organic material in it. Uncleaned gutters can produce millions of
mosquitos per season. Kill your bird bath. Fill in places where puddles
form after a rain. You get the idea.
I've done this in my yard and with the help of some neighbors we're all
quite a bit more comfortable.
Tim
---
<remove spoiler for email>
http://www.pconline.com/~harincar/cometography/
Kevin
On Thu, 09 Apr 1998 06:27:01 GMT, MikeC...@aol.com(MikeCollins)
wrote:
One thing we did, with some success, was to build little sonic
distruptors. They put out a specific frequency that would make to
skeeters leave us alone. It just clipped onto our belts.
One of the guys, who isn't around here anymore, made them up with
parts he got from Radio Shaft. er, Shack.
The only drawback we found was that after an hour or so we would get
headaches.
kevin
Herm Perez
Mike, you can control mosquitos, use at least 30% DEET and definitely
use the burning coils. I set one coil directly under my telescope and
about three more upwind. Usually everybody sets up coils so there may
be about a dozen going at one time.
Cover your eyes with your hand and spray your face, back of your neck,
your back, arms, legs etc...walk about 10 yards away from the car and
telescopes (downwind) to spray yourself.
You can also use 100% deet but not on your skin.
Herm "never without coils" Perez
On Thu, 09 Apr 1998 06:27:01 GMT, MikeC...@aol.com(MikeCollins)
wrote:
>Those of us in the south and soon those of you in the north will be
>experiencing mosquitos.
>
>Along with a hat and long sleeve shirt and long pants i've put OFF on
>and still get my hands bitten quite alot. I go inside and spray up but
>then wipe the area around my eyes and the inside of my hands.. i know
>what off does to some plastics, i don't want to test in on my
>eyepieces via my hands or face....
>
>What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?
>What about a fan?
>Is Cutter really better than Off?
>Burning mosquito repellant coils does not sound good.
>Is their anything i might soak my observing outfit (shirt and pants)
>in and then let dry that would keep them away.....
>
Charles Glidden
>What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?
>
Turns out mosquitoes are more attracted to carbon dioxide (they want
something breathing to suck on) than to light. The bug zappers get mostly
non blood sucking insects. Plus the light can't help your night vision.
Charles
Derek Wong
Ron wrote:
> (Very interesting and useful material deleted)
> ...there is a compound called Permethrin that can be
> sprayed or applied to clothing (DON'T put directly
> on your skin!). Permethrin will act both as a repellent and
> mosquitocide. It is available from pest control suppliers.
One comment about Permethrin. It is available in much more expensive
form as Nix or Elimite. In this medical formulation, it is less than 2%
absorbed and is not toxic to the skin--we use it to treat scabies by
leaving it on for 12 hours. However, I would NOT use it every night to
prevent mosquito bites. I'm not familiar with the pest control
version--maybe it has other chemicals which are not supposed to contact
the skin.
Other "natural remedies" which may have varying effect include oral
Vitamin E (I'm not sure how much) and some more natural repellants. I
took a trip in Hawaii once and the guide gave me some repellant made
from plants which smelled good, did not burn, and worked
great--unfortunately I didn't ask what it was made of.
Derek Wong
daw...@earthlink.net
Jarad Schiffer
In article <352CFDDB...@earthlink.net> Derek Wong <daw...@earthlink.net> writes:
>Ron wrote:
>> (Very interesting and useful material deleted)
>
>Vitamin E (I'm not sure how much) and some more natural repellants. I
>took a trip in Hawaii once and the guide gave me some repellant made
>from plants which smelled good, did not burn, and worked
>great--unfortunately I didn't ask what it was made of.
>
>Derek Wong
>daw...@earthlink.net
I have used several repellents based on citronella - a
lemony-smelling substance. Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion contains a small
amount, and advertises itself as a bug repellent as well as skin
cream, but I have found that it is too weak. Several camping stores
sell a version called Natrapel, which contains 10% citronella, and
this has been effective for me. The advantage of citronella based
repellents to me is that they are much easier on my nose and skin -
no burning sensation like with deet. The disadvantage is that they
are not quite as strong, and you have to reapply them every 2-3
hours instead of 6-8 with deet. What I usually do is take some 100%
deet and sprinkle it on my clothes, and put the citronella on my
skin.
Jarad Schiffer
jsch...@sdcc3.ucsd.edu
alb...@ezin.net
In article <6gj0g9$ept$1...@sdcc12.ucsd.edu>, jsch...@sdcc3.ucsd.edu says...
---------------
As allergic to mosquitoes as I am, they are (to me) the very
worst enemy of amateur astronomy. I have to spray my clothes
as well as my body with the "Deep Woods" stuff, and even then
sometimes get horrible bites-- even right through clothing.
This is not quite as bad since I started viewing from the
upwind side of a hill. I spray my boots and socks also, as
tics are the second worst enemy (if you don't count weather).
-al
Anne M. Leo
MikeCollins wrote:
>
> Those of us in the south and soon those of you in the north will be
> experiencing mosquitos.
>
> Along with a hat and long sleeve shirt and long pants i've put OFF on
> and still get my hands bitten quite alot. I go inside and spray up but
> then wipe the area around my eyes and the inside of my hands.. i know
> what off does to some plastics, i don't want to test in on my
> eyepieces via my hands or face....
>
> Is Cutter really better than Off?
> Burning mosquito repellant coils does not sound good.
> Is their anything i might soak my observing outfit (shirt and pants)
> in and then let dry that would keep them away.....
>
> Please anyone who has had some success please post here and let us all
> know...
>
> thanks,
> mike
> spam free, please post here....
A few drops rubbed on exposed skin lasts for hours. Smells a little
strong but works great. I've had a 2 ounce bottle for 2 years.
I've not had any adverse skin reactions but I understand that's
possible. We have a great many mosquitoes here on the island in
the summer and I've yet to get any bites when using DEET. I used
to get eaten up alive. - Steve Leo (this is my wife Anne's account).
Anne M. Leo
John Ongtooguk
Jeff Morgan (jeffm...@nospam.com) wrote:
: I have actually had good luck with the 100% DEET product....
: ... the pressure difference induced a leak in the spray
: bottle. Didn't hurt the wrenches of course, but the stuff covered my red
: flashlight. The black plastic surface began to dissolve. One could only
: imagine what direct contact would do to optical coatings and eyepiece
: barrels!
I also find that the 100% DEET works well on exposed skin, I use
the lesser stuff on clothes, and also notice that it tends to melt
things. In places that I've been where the skeeters were real
bad I've noticed that a change in location can make a big
difference, from so bad that 100% DEET needed to be reapplied
every 1/2 hr to no skeeters.
John Ongtooguk (jo...@vcd.hp.com)
PaulHBock
Mike Collins asked for advice on observing amidst mosquitos.
Forty-odd years ago, I was taught as a Boy Scout to cut pine boughs and
place them under and around the tent to keep mosquitos away whilst camping in
the great outdoors. It seemed to work. And in those days the only repellent
available was "6-12" which wasn't worth a crap - well, my Father had something
left over from his USMC service in WWII called "Jitterbug" but it was so
awful-smelling no one could stand to use it, so I have no idea if it even
worked.
In my backyard, about 50 feet from where I usually set up to observe, is a
130-foot long, three trees-deep stand of large white pine trees planted years
ago by a former owner as a "wind break" to protect the house from the north &
northwest winds. Despite lots of nice lush grass (3 acres worth) I seem to
have very few mosquitos even at the worst of times, and a light spraying of
"OFF" is sufficient to keep the rest away. Around the ankles and on the
pant-legs is particularly important for also keeping the deer ticks or regular
ticks away - in fact, ticks are a bigger problem around here than the
mosquitos.
I have no idea what it is that keeps mosquitos away, but there does seem
to be a correlation between the presence of pine trees and the absence of
mosquitos. No scientific basis for this claim, just an observed cause and
effect. Your milege may vary. Perhaps the fact that there is no standing
water within half a mile or more is a help, plus I'm on top of a knoll and if
there is a breeze I get it, whereas any standing water is in a "valley" over
half a mile away. So it may be a combination of things rather than just some
pine sap "magic".
The "eliminate nearby standing water" suggestion is an excellent one, and
in that regard check the rain gutters on your house or other structures. If
they're either clogged or not canted properly so that they don't completely
drain, even that small amount of standing water is a perfect breeding ground
for mosquitos. Also any drainage pipes, culverts, even an old bucket or an
auto tire hanging from a tree, or anything else that can collect water and
stand for a few days.
Here's to hassle-free, uninterrupted observing.....and in that vein, check
out my article in "Astronomy" for January, 1991, entitled "A Tale of Two
Kitties." ;-)
Cheers,
Paul
* Paul H. Bock, Jr.
* * Hamilton, VA U.S.A.
* * * *
* G *
* * * *
*
Ron
tim harincar wrote:
Good suggestion for observing around your backyard. Culex spp. and
Aedes aegypti breed in all sorts of containers lying around that collect
water. On the other hand, if you live in south Florida within 10 miles of
the coast, you will probably sooner or later depending on high tides and
rainfall be plagued by salt marsh mosquitoes, Aedes taeniorhynchus. If
you go inland toward a ranch or farm, floodwater mosquitoes will be a
problem. There is no practical way you can control them since they
breed in shallow depressions that periodically become inundated from
rain or high tides. These mosquitoes lay their eggs in these depressions
before water gets there. After flooding, they hatch in very large
numbers.
In 5-10 days you'll have a huge brood of adult mosquitoes hatching
off more or less simultaneously. Floodwater mosquitoes can fly 10-20
miles from their breeding areas. Only professional mosquito control
operations are equiped to control these.
Peak activity and biting times for salt marsh and floodwater mosquitoes
is during the twilight crepuscular periods which vary in length. But in
the summer months this can range from 1 to 3 hours after sunset or
before sunrise. Research by B. Bidlingmayer at the Florida Medical
Entomology Lab in Vero Beach, Fl has shown that the evening
crepuscular period has greater biting activity for Ae. taeniorhynchus
and other species. So if you schedule your observation sessions
accordingly, you may be able to avoid their peak activity. But, they
are certainly active throughout the night but in lower numbers say
around midnight or so. It just depends on the sky illumination and the
humidity. At full Moon around midnight with high RH %, their
activity will be much higher than at new moon around midnight
and low RH%.
I know mosquito biology and bionomics is a little off topic but
applies in this case. It doesn't hurt to know your enemy and
his weakness.
Ron
Ron
Charles Glidden wrote:
> >What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?
> >
> Turns out mosquitoes are more attracted to carbon dioxide (they want
> something breathing to suck on) than to light.
True, CO2 is a major attractant but so is light and this has been wellstudied
and documented since the 1940's when mosquito control districts
started using light traps - New Jersey Light Trap, to help determine the
relative size of mosquito populations. The ordinary 40 watt incandescent
light bulb became the standard in these devices. They readily attract
salt marsh and floodwater mosquitoes. Some species of Anopheles and
Aedes aegpyti are not so attracted to light however. The Journal of
the American Mosquito Control Association (Formerly Mosquito News)
is full scientific papers documenting the attractiveness of light, CO2, and
a variety of other compounds such as sterols, esters of fatty acids, lactic
acid, urea, ammonia, octanol, etc. Many MCDs have been using
CO2 ( usually a 1-2 lb. block of dry ice) in combination with light traps
which also helps to capture live specimens for disease vector studies
Ron
JosephB41
<<What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?>>
Bug zappers are evil. Mosquitoes are not strongly attracted to them, but many
other night-flying insects are, including many harmless, attractive, or
beneficial species.
Joe Bergeron (JABer...@aol.com)
JosephB41
Try putting up a bat house!
Dan Murphy
I live in northern Alberta and the mosquitoes here have been known to carry
off small children.:>). The most effective tool I have found was a light
mesh hooded jacket (about 3 ounces) I purchased from Canadian Tire, it came
with a zip lock bag and a bottle of Deep Woods OFF. You are supposed to put
a few drops of the OFF on the jacket, put the jacket in the bag, shake the
bag like hell and it is ready for your next excursion. I generally give the
jacket a few shots of spray before putting it on for good measure. I have
used the jacket to play golf with excellent results. The little bastards
swarm very close but do not land, at least from the waist up. They do tend
to knaw on your ankles.
Clear Mosquitoless skies
Dan
Dennis Bishop
As the bugs do not 'HEAR' anything, those things don't work.
I've seen the test of them, a guy puts one on his arm and
or belt and then walks into a clear room of them, guess what?
They don't ever bother the bugs at all and go after the guy
anyway. The bugs go after WARM/HOT bodies, they see you in
Infer-red. The burning coils work as the bugs still need to
use air as we do and the smoke has poison in it.
--
Bishops Telescope Fund ...
Dennis Bishop
470 20th ST West #23
Rosamond,Ca.93560
Mike
JosephB41 wrote:
>
> Try putting up a bat house.
Joseph,
That is an excellent idea. I thought about doing that several years
ago, but had since forgotten. Thanks. --Mike
MOGUR Bob
Let's not forget Purple Martins! They eat
them on the wing. You could put up one
of those Martin "apartments". Dragonflys
will eat a lot too but I don't know how to
go about attracting them to your area.
Bob
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because of the "Uncertainty Principal", any
ideas or opinions expressed by me may be
either wrong or right...but not both!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LKJ1999
><HTML><PRE>Subject: Re: Mosquito's and Astronomy or Mosquitos vs. Astronomy
>From: Mike <asteris...@worldnet.att.net>
>Date: Fri, Apr 10, 1998 18:50 EDT
>Message-id: <6gm7q5$k...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>
Bats, i don't know about that.
I once had a bat fly into the tube of my 10" f/10 Newtonian.
I had one hell of a time getting it out.
Chas P. LKJ1999
Kevin
On 11 Apr 1998 00:14:43 GMT, lkj...@aol.com (LKJ1999) wrote:
>Bats, i don't know about that.
>I once had a bat fly into the tube of my 10" f/10 Newtonian.
>I had one hell of a time getting it out.
That's better than the really snarked off raccoon that took up
residence under the tube of a Dob that belonged to one of the guys
here. It's not fun to fight off a angry raccoon at 3 am.
Kevin
Kevin
JosephB41 wrote:
>
> Try putting up a bat house.
I wonder how that would work. The problem with our site is, the
observatory sits in a clearing completely surrounded by woods, so the
mosquitoes attacks as squadrons. I suppose we'd have to put out 1,000s
of bat houses, or maybe have our own bat signal.
Nah, that'd just add to the light pollution. And besides, with the
amount of clear nights we get here in Grand Rapids (the cloud
attractor of West Michigan) it wouldn't be worth it.
But seriously, I wonder how many bat houses would it take? We already
have bats flying around the grounds. Would putting up houses attract
more?
Kevin
Jeff Medkeff
I am pretty sure that jsch...@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (Jarad
Schiffer) said the following, though I may be wrong:
>Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion contains a small
>amount, and advertises itself as a bug repellent as well as skin
>cream, but I have found that it is too weak.
Ditto.
In fact, I have a 'summer cabin' up in the wilds of sunset
country in Ontario that some friends and I visited a couple
years ago - and the friends brought Skin-So-Soft on this
particular occasion. The substance actually seemed to
attract the mosquitoes up there; those who used nothing were
quite a bit better of than those who used the cream.
Mild-mannered mosquitoes of the midwest do seem to be put
off by the cream to a certain extent, though. Still, if I
use anything, I use something else - anything else.
--
Jeff Medkeff | Check out the s.a.a. photos page at
Rockland Observatory | http://shutter.vet.ohio-state.edu/saa.htm
Sierra Vista, AZ |
Mike
Kevin wrote:
<snip>
> have bats flying around the grounds. Would putting up houses attract
> more? > Kevin
Bat houses generally attract bats. You can make a bat condo if you
wish. The university of florida has had one for many years with
thousands of denizens. They travel pretty far too, so if any caves (or
bat condo shares) are near you (50 miles???), you shouldn't have much
trouble attracting them. --Mike
Mike
Skin-so-soft is for repelling no-see-ums, not mosquitos. I'm not sure
how it works, but they may just drown in it.
Enyo
Kevin wrote in message
<352ef7f...@nntp.ix.netcom.com>...
>But seriously, I wonder how many bat houses would it take?
We already
>have bats flying around the grounds. Would putting up
houses attract
>more?
>
>Kevin
I put up a bat house in my back yard two years ago in
Muskegon. Still waiting for them to take up residence. I
have heard it can take a couple of years to get a group
established.
Jeff Morgan
Well, if the prevention route doesn't work, there is always revenge. I
personnaly like the Lea & Perrins Tobasco sauce approach. Although I can't
seem to eat enough of it to make the litte buggers go off in flames like
in the TV commerical.
--
Jeff Morgan
email: substitute mindspring for nospam
Mike
Régis Trudel
Mike wrote:
>
> JosephB41 wrote:
> >
> > Try putting up a bat house.
>
> That is an excellent idea. I thought about doing that several years
> ago, but had since forgotten. Thanks. --Mike
International bats prefer houses near lakes or large rivers. You can
still try because after all what can you lose.
If you use insect repellent, get one that has a DEET content around 90%.
Aerosols are generally inefficient.
R. Trudel
Mike
Funny you should just post that... there is a good size pond nearby;
dunno if it's large enough though.
Bill Prewitt
Here is a great URL for attracting backyard bats.
http://webb-it.com/bats/
I put up a bat house and attracted 4 bats...
It did seem to help reduce the mosquitos; makes observing a lot more
comfortable.
.....also great fun to watch with a night vision scope. They appear to catch
something every few seconds
><snip>
Jeff Medkeff
I am pretty sure that Mike <asteris...@worldnet.att.net>
said the following, though I may be wrong:
>Skin-so-soft is for repelling no-see-ums, not
>mosquitos. I'm not sure how it works, but they
>may just drown in it.
As I recall it, no-see-ums were the only pest insect worse
than the mosquitoes that season in Canada. Skin-so-soft
seemed to be pretty irrelevant there.
Loren Coe
In article <199804100724...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
JosephB41 <jose...@aol.com> wrote:
><<What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?>>
>
>Bug zappers are evil. Mosquitoes are not strongly attracted to them, but many
>other night-flying insects are, including many harmless, attractive, or
>beneficial species.
i agree, evil is the correct word. i wanted to install an outside
zapper on the 5 acres in New Mexico, my neighbors had them on either
side and encouraged me to install one, too.
my first thought was to do a "proof of concept". while i could hear
the critters being zapped from several hundred feet away, i was not
convinced that it was an ecologically sound thing to do. i had
already proved that i could not attract flys to them during the day
which was my primary goal, but maybe they would help with the "miller"
population which was particuarly bad that year.
anyhoo, before i returned the thing to the store, i set it up where i
might install a "permanent" model and left it on all nite.
what i saw the next morning, while not too surprising, was _very_
disheartening. every conceivable kind of moth, most of which i had
never seen, was killed. there were a few "miller" moths, too, which
would be valid targets (IMHO), but i never once again thought about
using one of these things. in fact, i am surprised that they are
_legal_.
the disheartening part of this experience was that my own neighbors
used these things, year around, 24hrs a day, and never gave it a second
thought. i no longer wondered about "man's inhumanity...."
loren
Loren Coe
In article <352f0ec5....@news.goodnet.com>,
Jeff Medkeff <med...@NOBULKc2i2.comMERCIAL> wrote:
>
>Mild-mannered mosquitoes of the midwest do seem to be put
>off by the cream to a certain extent, though. Still, if I
i have noticed that insects of _all_ types are comparatively
"Mild-mannered" here in Plano, Tx, compared to almost anywere West.
i have kidded about this wrt invading insects, by saying that around
here, insects "have a life".
loren
William Sommerwerck
> I put up a bat house in my back yard two years ago in Muskegon.
> Still waiting for them to take up residence. I have heard it can
> take a couple of years to get a group established.
It depends, in part, on how many bats are in your area. I also believe
it's desirable to have the house facing south, and on the side of a
building. This warms the house and makes it more attractive to bats
(especially small groups of bats).
JosephB41
<<But seriously, I wonder how many bat houses would it take? We already
have bats flying around the grounds. Would putting up houses attract
more?>>
You can never be sure that bats will actually occupy a bat house if you offer
them one. But it might be worth a try.
John Ongtooguk
Kevin (Sp...@Wonderful.Spam) wrote:
: JosephB41 wrote:
: >
: > Try putting up a bat house.
: I wonder how that would work. The problem with our site is, the
: observatory sits in a clearing completely surrounded by woods, so the
: mosquitoes attacks as squadrons. I suppose we'd have to put out 1,000s
: of bat houses, or maybe have our own bat signal.
With thousands of bat houses around not only would you take care
of the bug problem, you could also harvest guano, lots of it :^)
John Ongtooguk (jo...@vcd.hp.com)
Paul Gustafson
An article in one of the recent birding magazines called that a myth. They
said that the birds actually eat much larger insects (up to cicada size!)
and eat almost no mosquitoes. Interestingly enough, the article also said
that in many areas, the purple martin population is almost completely
dependent on man-made housing. I'll try to scrounge up the article and a
related web site.
Paul
MOGUR Bob wrote in message <6gmsqm$nf0$1...@newsd-163.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
Paul Gustafson
I read an article recently in an entomology journal where they examined and
identified the remains of insects killed in several bug-zappers in
mosquito-infested areas. For every two THOUSAND insects killed, there were
about a dozen mosquitoes and two biting flies. Sort of a nuclear weapon
approach to the problem...
Paul
JosephB41 wrote in message
<199804100724...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
><<What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?>>
>
>Bug zappers are evil. Mosquitoes are not strongly attracted to them, but
many
>other night-flying insects are, including many harmless, attractive, or
>beneficial species.
>
>Joe Bergeron (JABer...@aol.com)
Paul Gustafson
JTGill
>Paul
yep. The local farm and garden guy tells everyone those things mostly
kill the insects who aren't out to get you anyway, and are probably
actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
the zapping noise appeals to them.
JT
Paul Gustafson
JTGill wrote in message <931.407T60...@mis.net>...
>yep. The local farm and garden guy tells everyone those things mostly
>kill the insects who aren't out to get you anyway, and are probably
>actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
>the zapping noise appeals to them.
>
>JT
It does have a Star Wars kind of sound.
Paul
Loren Coe
In article <931.407T60...@mis.net>, JTGill <jtg...@mis.net> wrote:
>>I read an article recently in an entomology journal where they examined and
>>identified the remains of insects killed in several bug-zappers in
>>mosquito-infested areas. For every two THOUSAND insects killed, there were
>>about a dozen mosquitoes and two biting flies. Sort of a nuclear weapon
>>approach to the problem...
>
>>Paul
>
>>JosephB41 wrote in message
>><199804100724...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
>>><<What about one of those big blue light bug zappers?>>
>>>
>>>Bug zappers are evil. Mosquitoes are not strongly attracted to them, but
>>many
>>>other night-flying insects are, including many harmless, attractive, or
>>>beneficial species.
>>>
>>>Joe Bergeron (JABer...@aol.com)
>
>kill the insects who aren't out to get you anyway, and are probably
>actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
>the zapping noise appeals to them.
>
>JT
>
why hasn't "Green Peace", or whatever, squawked about this? this seems
like one fight that would be eay to win. one that could have untold
ramifications for a given species, either insect or predator. it would
also, the publicity, point out just how _stupid_ we can be, and possibly
lend more credence to other worthwhile fights.
loren
Loren Coe
In article <6gu3q3$c8b$1...@winter.news.erols.com>,
>>kill the insects who aren't out to get you anyway, and are probably
>>actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
>>the zapping noise appeals to them.
>>JT
>Paul
the "Heavy Duty" models, designed for 24hr operation over a large area,
sound absolutely hideous. i used wonder, sometimes, just what was being
fried, some 300 feet away. maybe a bat, or a nite hawk? i never had the
nerve to go over and check on the mornings, it was just too cruel to
accept.
loren
Michael Bradshaw
On Sat, 11 Apr 1998, Jeff Medkeff wrote:
> Mild-mannered mosquitoes of the midwest do seem to be put
> off by the cream to a certain extent, though. Still, if I
I agree! I mean, skin cream?! Come on, we are tough guy lumberjack
astronomers!! We brave bitter cold, badgers, angry farmers, and drunk
locals! We don't need no stinkin' skin cream!!
I use Off Skintastic, either cream or spray. It will keep the buggers off
like nothing I have ever used before.
Mike Bradshaw
mbra...@shrike.depaul.edu
JTGill
>>JTGill wrote in message <931.407T60...@mis.net>...
>>
>>>yep. The local farm and garden guy tells everyone those things mostly
>>>kill the insects who aren't out to get you anyway, and are probably
>>>actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
>>>the zapping noise appeals to them.
>>>JT
>>It does have a Star Wars kind of sound.
>>Paul
>the "Heavy Duty" models, designed for 24hr operation over a large area,
>sound absolutely hideous. i used wonder, sometimes, just what was being
>fried, some 300 feet away. maybe a bat, or a nite hawk? i never had the
>nerve to go over and check on the mornings, it was just too cruel to
>accept.
>loren
Apparently I'm lucky. I live near a fairly large pond, which doesn't
move much, so it would seem to be fertile ground for mosquitos, but
I hardly ever get bitten by them. Maybe I just don't taste good ;-).
Does anyone (getting really off topic here) remember a commercial couple
of years back (little caesar's maybe?) where some inbred looking types
were sitting on a patio watching the bugzapper? I always found that
commercial disturbingly true to life.
JT
JosephB41
<< I think people like them simply because
the zapping noise appeals to them.>>
Also, many people are willing to do dumb-ass destructive things if there's even
a hint that their personal convenience will be slightly enhanced by doing so.
Ray Mote
Paul Gustafson (dr...@erols.com) wrote:
: I read an article recently in an entomology journal where they examined and
: identified the remains of insects killed in several bug-zappers in
: mosquito-infested areas. For every two THOUSAND insects killed, there were
: about a dozen mosquitoes and two biting flies. Sort of a nuclear weapon
: approach to the problem...
<snip>
And if you think light pollution is bad, you ought to see what those bug
zappers can do in the radio & tv spectrum. It can be every bit as bad as
light dimmers, arc-welders, etc.
--
Ray Mote, K5FKT <rm...@rain.org> Oxnard, CA
Jeff Medkeff
I am pretty sure that "Paul Gustafson" <dr...@erols.com>
said the following, though I may be wrong:
>I read an article recently in an entomology journal
>where they examined and identified the remains of insects
>killed in several bug-zappers in mosquito-infested areas.
>For every two THOUSAND insects killed, there were about
>a dozen mosquitoes and two biting flies.
Wasn't that article abstracted and summarized in JAVMA? I
would be surprised to hear you did not see it there if my
hunch is correct.
--
Jeff Medkeff | Check out the s.a.a. photos page at
Dave Casey
>actually helping you. I think people like them simply because
>the zapping noise appeals to them.
Reminds me of the joyful glee that Vincent Price experienced while watching
his new zapper in action. :o)
Dave
Paul Gustafson
You're probably correct, although I can't remember for sure. I'll continue
to browse around for it, starting with JAVMA.
Regards,
Paul
Jeff Medkeff wrote in message <35392e69...@news.goodnet.com>...
tim harincar
Michael Bradshaw wrote:
>
> On Sat, 11 Apr 1998, Jeff Medkeff wrote:
> > Mild-mannered mosquitoes of the midwest do seem to be put
> > off by the cream to a certain extent, though. Still, if I
> > use anything, I use something else - anything else.
>
> astronomers!! We brave bitter cold, badgers, angry farmers, and drunk
> locals! We don't need no stinkin' skin cream!!
Yeah, not to mention local gang dorks shooting up stop signs & the like.
Ya know, I've found that your typical flack jacket is also good
protection against most mosquitos, though some of the lake July ones
around here have been known to penetrate Kevlar...
;-)
Tim
---
<remove spoiler for email>
http://www.pconline.com/~harincar/ <-- new & imporved comet hunting
pages
AndersonRM
In article <199804140534...@ladder03.news.aol.com>, jose...@aol.com
(JosephB41) writes:
>Also, many people are willing to do dumb-ass destructive things if there's
>even
>a hint that their personal convenience will be slightly enhanced by doing so.
>
>
Well, when you find a reason for the mosquito's existence
except to spread disease, let us know.
-Rich
AndersonRM
In article <Pine.GSO.3.95.980413...@shrike.depaul.edu>,
Michael Bradshaw <mbra...@shrike.depaul.edu> writes:
>I agree! I mean, skin cream?! Come on, we are tough guy lumberjack
>astronomers!!
"He puts on women's clothing and hangs around in BARS?!?"
"Heeees a lumberjack and he's ok, he sleeps all night and he
works all day" :)
-Rich
Jonathan Silverlight
A mosquito doesn't have a "reason" for its existence, any more than
an astronomer does.
JosephB41
<<Well, when you find a reason for the mosquito's existence
except to spread disease, let us know.
-Rich>>
The point here is not the few mosquitoes which fall victim to bug zappers, but
the thousands of harmless, often beautiful, inoffensive, and sometimes even
helpful insects which are pointlessly destroyed instead of the intended target.
Jonathan Silverlight
In article <199804180403...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, JosephB41 (jose...@aol.com) writes:
><<Well, when you find a reason for the mosquito's existence
>except to spread disease, let us know.
>-Rich>>
>
>
>The point here is not the few mosquitoes which fall victim to bug zappers, but
>the thousands of harmless, often beautiful, inoffensive, and sometimes even
>helpful insects which are pointlessly destroyed instead of the intended target.
>
Taking this thread even further off-topic for s.a.a, does anyone
know if these gadgets attract houseflies and such? In the UK you
often see them in restaurants and other places preparing food,
where flies are definitely _not_ welcome.
Loren Coe
In article <15...@merseia.win-uk.net>,
no, definitely, no. the only attraction for them is some kind of bait
(often supplied with the unit, of marginal use). the hope is that they
will fly into the thing by accident.
loren
>
>
>
>
AndersonRM
In article <199804180403...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, jose...@aol.com
(JosephB41) writes:
>
>
>The point here is not the few mosquitoes which fall victim to bug zappers,
>but
>the thousands of harmless, often beautiful, inoffensive, and sometimes even
>helpful insects which are pointlessly destroyed instead of the intended
>target.
I once read something that mentioned that England had an animal
welfare league before it had a children's aid society. I often marvel
at some people's neurotic attachment to animals and (now) bugs.
While no one would advocate a "Tiger Zapper" I fail to see the
worry about the fate of a few million insects that might die in a
bug zapper. Unless you decided to decimate the honey bee
population, the World will not even notice the minor few bugs killed
by the zapper. In fact, long after humans have vanished, the bugs
will still be here.
-Rich
AndersonRM
In article <6har9a$q...@phoenix.rsn.hp.com>, Loren Coe <lc...@convex.COM> writes:
>no, definitely, no. the only attraction for them is some kind of bait
>(often supplied with the unit, of marginal use). the hope is that they
>will fly into the thing by accident.
You want to attract flies, just invent a zapper that emits the smell of
rotting meat rather than light.
-Rich
JosephB41
<<I often marvel
at some people's neurotic attachment to animals and (now) bugs.>>
Rich....if you were someone whose opinions I valued or respected in some way, I
would attempt to respond to this.
NewGuy
<snipped a lot>
I have searched the web and also some catalogs and have found several
Bug Suits from 19.95 for parka to $42 for a parka and $42 for pants
(as i remember it)... has anyone tried any bug suits? Some mention to
add spray or deet, some say it is not needed......
I found a big ugly one with long parka and pants for $39.95 plus
shipping it will even cover your face and part of your hands, it has
four snaps for the parka front, which makes me wonder how the bugs
will stay out, but i could velcro it....
mike
JOHN PAZMINO
JS> From: jsi...@merseia.win-uk.net (Jonathan Silverlight)
JS> Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 11:23:53 GMT
JS> Subject: Re: Mosquito's and Astronomy or Mosquitos vs. Astronomy
JS>
JS> Taking this thread even further off-topic for s.a.a, does anyone
JS> know if these gadgets attract houseflies and such? In the UK you
JS> often see them in restaurants and other places preparing food,
JS> where flies are definitely _not_ welcome.
A no-no in the US, generally. A bug zapper in a restaurant is
primafacie evidence of insect infestation and gets the restaurant a
huge fine or even closure. Andm I askm where is the zapper emtpied
out?
---
þ RoseReader 2.52á P005004
john.pazmino@relaynet.org (JOHN PAZMINO)
---
¿ RoseReader 2.52á P005004
Martin Tom Brown
In article <8EE24D0.0469...@relaynet.org>
john.p...@relaynet.org "JOHN PAZMINO" writes:
> JS> Taking this thread even further off-topic for s.a.a, does anyone
> JS> know if these gadgets attract houseflies and such? In the UK you
> JS> often see them in restaurants and other places preparing food,
> JS> where flies are definitely _not_ welcome.
>
> A no-no in the US, generally. A bug zapper in a restaurant is
> primafacie evidence of insect infestation and gets the restaurant a
> huge fine or even closure.
Are we talking about the same thing? UV lamp baited insect zappers.
Flies have a habit of coming in through the door with customers
and so having a device to attract and dispose them seems sensible.
> Andm I askm where is the zapper emtpied out?
The bin - where else?
Regards,
--
Martin Brown <mar...@nezumi.demon.co.uk> __ CIS: 71651,470
Scientific Software Consultancy /^,,)__/