Mosquito management around the barn

[Loves_to_ride]

How do you manage mosquitos?

I’m in the Massachusetts, if that helps.

I’ve been looking at CO2 generators, zappers, etc.

I want to kill the mosquitos but not beneficial bugs (bees, dragonflies, etc.) or birds.

Figured with the collective wisdom of COTH could provide some great ideas!

Thanks in advance…

[ladybugsbw]

My SO works for a mosquito control company. They specialize in all natural, safe alternatives for getting rid of mosquitos, but also offer traditional methods, so he has a wide array of options to offer. They have a lot of barn owning clients.
I am NOT an expert in this field, and when he returns tomorrow from a work trip, I will get him to explain some ideas to you!! I wanted to post so I didn’t forget

[walkinthewalk]

Ive lived here 14+ years and rarely see mosquitoes. My brother and SIL love to sit outside when they visit because they don’t get carried away.

we started with one house of Purple Martins and have grown to four houses this year. BUT you have to clean the houses out at the end of every winter in good time, Beforethe Purple Martins return.

TheBarn Swallows also help.

keeping mud puddles dried up and empty anything that gathers water.

[CLB15]

I’ve been looking into the Octane (?) attractant propane mosquito machines- Mosquito Magnet, Blue Rhino/SkeeterVac, Flowtron, etc. A few people I know have the Mosquito Magnets- patriot and executive. I’m on the fence between the SkeeterVac 5100 and the Mosquito Magnet Executive. I have a small place and IF the magnet I get works like its supposed to I’d be happy to have an acre of “low mosquito zone.”
I don’t have standing water on my place but have woods with some streams behind me. There is a big reduction in the mosquitoes at my place when neighbors a few doors up start having their yards sprayed in the summer.

[Limitless]

I’m not sure what county you are in, but Bristol County has a Mosquito Control Project. They will come early spring upon request and treat my wetlands with BTI. It is a bacteria that eats the mosquito larvae. BTI is non toxic to any other creature, I have plenty of toads, peepers, turtles, dragonflies, etc., all summer long. And then they will spray my property upon request starting June 1st.

I can get a lot of mosquitos, having wetlands and all. Nightmarish amounts. Treating standing water with BTI is great step (getting rid of standing water if you can). Then I request a spray monthly, and it really keeps them under control.

Since they’ll only treat the wetland in early spring, I keep up with the mosquito larvae in the wetlands using the BTI dunks I get from Arbico.

See if your county offers something similar.