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JerryK
super member
Reged: 09/25/05
Posts: 151
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Re: Mosquitoes and Observatories...
06/23/09 09:54 AM
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I helped design a West Nile management program for a municipality I used to work for. This is what I learned:
Mosquitos have about a 100ft perception range. They breed in water including rain gutters, children's toy's, tires, flower pot water trays, birdbaths, low spots in lawns. Draining sources nearby helps a lot.
Adult female mosquitos can be confused enough not to search for you by the simple technique of moving air which dilutes the CO2, heat signiture, etc eminating from you. Research at Michigan State University shows a simple 5-10mph air movement is sufficient. Two fans set an an angle can nearly form a 'wind barrier' and the breeze doesn't have to contact you if you set it up right, but one fan will work if it is directed on you. In fact they designed a deck with PVC pipes that directed a curtain of air around the edge of the deck. If you're interested, I've got the PDF file of the research paper somewhere I could send you.
Pyrethrum/pyrethrins are botanical pesticides derived from the pyrethrum daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) and C. cineum).Using it or it's synthetic analog sprayed in a 100ft perimeter works well too. Mosquitoes must rest and when they land on the sprayed lawn and plants, they die!
pyrethrum is usually sold at a a 6% concentrate in garden centers or organic farmers co-ops. Once you see how much it costs, you'll begin to understand why organic produce costs so much.
The synthetic version is caled, Permethrin & is sold under the following brand names:
* Repel Permanone
* Cutter Outdoorsman Deer Guard
* Sawyer Insect Repellent
It's safer than breathing Thermacell chemicals!
If you do want to wear repellent, Ben's water-based DEET skin spray won't harm optical surfaces and plastics, nor will Picaridin to my knowledge. I use the two products around the telescope.
Hope this helps!
Jerry
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