Blog
I get a call, at least once a week on average, asking what someone can put in their pump up sprayer that will work. The answer is: nothing. The key to eliminating mosquitoes is thoroughness. Pump up sprayers do not cover enough area to be very good at repelling mosquitoes. That is why, on the cheap end, we recommend hose end sprayers. On the high-end, we recommend the SR200 by Stihl (about $395) which will cover the ground thoroughly. This is the unit most of the professionals use. When I am testing repellents, whether mine or someone else’s, I spray myself head to foot, including clothes. The only thing I don’t spry is my eyeballs. Well, the mosquitoes attack my eyeballs! They can find that one small area where I haven’t sprayed! So, combine that with the mosquito’s excellent ability to hide for survival and you can see why it is important to cover everything when trying to push mosquitoes out of the area. A good hose-end sprayer is only about $11 (Chameleon is a good one.) If you don’t like dragging a hose around, try using granules in some of the tougher places along with the hose end spray. […]
Read MoreI recently received a piece of mail a friend forwarded to me that was from another new entry into the mosquito control business. It amazes me how creative some of these guys get in order to sway people to try their products. This one, makes it sound like their product is safe, even though it is not. It gives the idea that your kids can run around the yard without shoes and not be subjected to any possible harm this chemical could cause. This is absolutely not true. If you read on their web site, they use Pyrethrins. It is not easy to find this information, but it is there. As some of you know, Pyrethrins and Permethrin are NOT considered safe by the EPA and not allowed to use the word safe in their advertising or labeling. Please, before you try another Mosquito Jeff, Mavis the Mosquito Beater or Shoeless Mosquito product or service, ask to see the label of the product they are spraying. Ask for the ingredients. Ask if it is safe on kids and pets. Remember, most of these guys don’t understand that harsh chemicals are not required to protect your family from mosquitoes.
Read MoreAre you familiar with NextDoor? It’s a social network for neighborhoods. It can be full of good information – local business referrals, new restaurant openings and who knows how many dogs, cats, turtles and rabbits that it has reunited!n Well, just like all social media, it can also be full of debate. Earlier this week I saw a post where someone very adamantly stated misting systems don’t work and people should not invest in them. Wow. That’s a pretty cut and dried statement. I’m sure there are indeed some systems that don’t work but it likely has less to do with the system and more to do with either the way it was installed or the products being used in them. Back in the early 2000s, I was one of the first guys installing mosquito misting systems. Those systems seemed to work very well and most customers – at least those that could afford those early versions – were pleased. But that was nearly 20 years ago. You probably aren’t using ANY of the same technology that you used 20 years ago, are you? Your cell phone, your laptop – heck, even your cleaning supplies have likely changed in 20 years. […]
Read More
I started this company 12 years ago with a mission to change the world by creating the most effective mosquito repellents in the world. These days it is not uncommon for someone to help tell me how to make my “exit.” Everyone seems to have a different way to sell the company or liquidate our assets – and to be honest this time of year (when sales are slow) it can be tempting to “take the money and run.” When I first launched Mosquito Steve I knew that I was in this to change the world by reducing the impact that mosquitoes have on our population’s health and well-being while at the same time reducing the reliance on toxins and poisons to do it. My scientific studies — human landing rate counts — used to be to be the industry standard until West Nile Virus came to America in 1999. Then, congress disallowed use of human landing rate counts for Federal purposes so they would not be responsible for people getting sick. Nonetheless, most entomologists still say that the most accurate way to test for efficacy is landing rate counts. That is why I do it, in the deepest wooded areas […]
Read More
It is no secret that our pollinators are in jeopardy. Big time. I know my friends who garden often note that their backyard gardens just do not produce the way they used to. This is because we have so few pollinators – especially if you live in metropolitan area! The pesticides that we use day in and day out to kill annoying insects are directly related to the struggles the pollinators face. Chemical pesticides, including Pyrethroids and Nicotinoids, are proven to have negative effects on bees (read their labels!) and can cause Colony Collapse Disorder, in spite of what some misting companies and pest control people say. My products are not just natural, based on essential oils, but our products affect the mosquitoes by aggravating five different receptors on the mosquito antennae. This is why our products are more effective AND why the mosquitoes will not build up resistance. We don’t kill anything! Your backyard pollinators are safe with Mosquito Steve. My yard sprays lasts ten days to 2 weeks. Misting lasts up to 6 hours. Yard sprays remove the landing, hiding and resting places of the mosquitoes; it forces them into the air and they are not […]
Read More
Anyone else have friends that are celebrating the cold weather by saying things like “Thank goodness it’s killing off all the mosquitoes?” Yeah, me too. The truth is that mosquitoes do not die off in the winter months. They are often simply dormant and as soon as the weather warms back up above 58 degrees, they will be right back at your picnic. The mosquito season in North Texas is generally from April through October. However, much depends on the duration of winter temperatures and the amount of rain. Heavy rain means more breeding grounds and more mosquitoes. Temperatures consistently above 58 degrees will encourage mosquito activity. Repelling brings it down to personal responsibility. If you repel, then you can keep them off of you, your family and out of your yard without damaging beneficial insects and the environment. Besides, our repellents work better than the harmful chemicals Yard sprays by Mosquito Steve lasts ten days to 2 weeks. Misting lasts up to 6 hours. Yard sprays remove the landing, hiding and resting places of the mosquitoes; it forces them into the air and they are not strong flyers. That should send them next door or to an area not […]
Read MoreWe are working hard to update our website, please check back soon. Before you go, be sure to sign up for our Newsletter below!
Read More