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#mosquito — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #mosquito, aggregated by home.social.

  1. 🦟 NEW: Researchers tested how three South #Florida mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, responded to 119 human volunteers using a device that let #insects approach without biting.

    They matched each species to specific #skin odors and bacterial communities. Each #mosquito favored different #microbes, and no single person attracted all three species.

    👉 theconversation.com/mosquitoes

    #science #biology #microbiome #research #nature #animals #dengue #westnile #health #insects #study

  2. Meet the 2026 #IgNobel Prize winners

    It's that time of year again, when we learn which lucky #scientists are among the winners of the Ig Nobel Prizes. This year, the prizes honor research on designing the perfect splash-free #urinal ; using #mosquito #proboscises to "necroprint" tiny nozzles; studying composition rates of buried cotton #underwear and the #aerodynamics of a healthy nose-blow, among other highlights.
    #necroprint #science #research

    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

  3. I just came across this article here. Wow! Definitely going to give this method a try!

    How to build a #mosquito kill bucket

    Setting up a #LarvaTrap at home is an effective #MosquitoControl method.

    by Debbie Wolfe
    Published Jun 18, 2024

    Materials

    - Container: A five-gallon bucket or a similar-sized container
    - Water: Preferably from a rain barrel to avoid chlorinated water
    - Organic Material: Straw, hay, or even grass clippings to attract mosquitoes
    - Mosquito Dunk: Contains Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bt-i), a bacterium harmful only to mosquito larvae

    Directions

    Prepare the container
    Place the bucket in a sunny spot to keep it warm, accelerating the fermentation process.

    Add organic material
    Add a handful of organic matter, like leaves, grass clippings or hay to the bucket. This organic material begins to ferment, producing a scent that attracts female mosquitoes.

    Add Water
    Fill the bucket with water. If using tap water, let it sit for 24-48 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate, or use rainwater.

    Let it ferment
    Allow the mixture to sit for a few days until it starts to ferment, creating an irresistible breeding ground for mosquitoes.

    Add Mosquito Dunk
    Once mosquitoes have laid their eggs in the water, add a Mosquito Dunk to the mix. The Bt-i in the dunk will kill the mosquito larvae but leave other insects unharmed.

    Place in a shady area
    The bucket should be placed in a shady area, or any area where there are frequent issues with mosquitoes.

    Maintenance
    Regularly check the trap and add fresh water as needed to maintain the level. Replace the dunk every 30 days or as recommended by the manufacturer.

    Optional enhancements

    Covering: To prevent pets or wildlife from drinking from the mosquito kill bucket, cover it with chicken wire or a similar mesh.
    Camouflage: If the bucket’s appearance is a concern, consider using a decorative cover or placing it discreetly under bushes.

    Source:
    popsci.com/diy/how-to-build-a-

    #SolarPunkSunday #NaturalPesticides #NaturalPestControl #MosquitoControl #BtDunks

  4. Every borough, town, and city should have a webpage that discourages residents from subscribing to those frequent (every 2-3 week) insecticide applications from companies like Mosquito Shield, Mosquito Joe, and Mosquito Squad. As an example, here's the blurb from Media, Pennsylvania, the town next to me. #mosquito #mosquitoes #spraying #pollinators #insects #pesticides #government #mediapa #delco #pennsylvania #pyrethroids mediaborough.com/446/Mosquito-

  5. Grrrr. Yet another peaceful morning disrupted by the whine of a gas-powered insecticide sprayer. They come to my neighbor's house every two weeks during the summer. I don't understand why this is legal. #insecticides #pollinators #nature #pyrethroids #insecticide #chemicals #pesticides #mosquito #mosquitoes

  6. DH98 Mosquito B.35 This particular Mosquito represents the last bomber variant of the Mosquito, the B.35. Only two RAF Squadrons operated this type, both in the post-war period. However, they had a relatively short Service life as a bomber with many being converted as target tugs, designated TT.35. This Mosquito has since been moved to the RAF Museum's Bomber Hall. There are several Mosquitoes flying in the USA, and The People's Mosquito charity has just completed a set of fuselage moulds in the UK, as they begin to restore one of these beautiful aircraft to flight status. Please see www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk to learn more! #DeHavilland #DH98 #Mosquito #RAF #museum #WW2 #history #targettug #bomber #aircraft #restoration #aviation #photography #aviationphotography #RoyalAirForce #charity #avg #ThePeoplesMosquito #RegisteredCharity

  7. I just noticed that the Borough of Media, Pennsylvania, has a fantastic webpage urging residents to stop spraying pyrethroids on their yards (i.e., stop paying companies such as Mosquito Shield and Mosquito Squad to do it). The page also encourages people to report instances of pesticide drift from the target yard into neighboring yards. All towns should adopt a policy like this. #mosquito #mosquitoes #spraying #pesticides #pollinators #bees #insects #pyrethroids #delco #pennsylvania #BeeCityUsa
    mediaborough.com/446/Mosquito-

  8. My neighbor just had her property fogged by Mosquito Shield, one of those outfits that uses gasoline-powered foggers to coat foliage with insecticides every few weeks. I can always smell it, which means that the chemicals have drifted into my yard and are now killing my insects. Makes my blood boil. Here's my post about pyrethroid sprays in case you can share with friends who are considering signing up for these services. #insects #insecticides #mosquitoes #mosquito #pyrethroids #chemical #pesticides #pollinators #nature
    colinpurrington.com/2018/09/bu

  9. So, since we had a really dry summer last year, I'm collecting water in rain barrels to water the garden and conserve our well-water. However, as I discovered recently, rain barrels can be places where mosquitoes can breed. So I put a thin layer of old olive oil (leftover from soap making) on top. I checked on both rain barrels today -- no #mosquitoes!

    "Rain Barrels and Mosquito Pests

    While using a rain barrel in the garden is great for water conservation among its other benefits, mosquitoes are a constant threat, as they carry life-threatening diseases. Learning how to control mosquitoes in a rain barrel is just as important to controlling them anywhere else, especially since the pests take advantage of standing water to help carry out their life cycle. Here are some things you can do to minimize their presence:

    - Dish soap– Liquid dish soap creates a slick film on the surface of the water. When mosquitoes attempt to land, they drown before they have time to lay eggs. Use natural soap and avoid products with perfume or degreasers, especially if you water your plants with rain water. One or two tablespoons of liquid soap per week is plenty for most rain barrels.

    - Mosquito dunks– Also known as mosquito donuts, mosquito dunks are round cakes of Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacteria that provides mosquito control in rain barrels as it slowly dissolves. However, it is safe for beneficial insects. Be sure the product label indicates the dunks are formulated for ponds because other types, which kill caterpillars, aren’t effective in water. Replace the dunks as needed. Check them after a hard rain.

    - Vegetable oil– Oil floats on the surface of the water. If mosquitoes attempt to land, they suffocate in the oil. Use about a quarter cup of oil per week. You can use any type of oil, including olive oil. Horticultural oil or dormant oil are also effective for preventing mosquitoes in rain barrels."

    Read more at Gardening Know How: Mosquito Control In Rain Barrels: How To Control Mosquitoes In A Rain Barrel gardeningknowhow.com/plant-pro

    #SolarPunkSunday #NoPesticides #OliveOil #Organic #RainBarrels #Mosquito #MosquitoControl #NaturalPestControl

  10. #MastodonMosquitoMoment Here we see fitters making adjustments to a newly-built #Mosquito FB.VI at #Hatfield, during #WW2. Please consider supporting #ThePeoplesMosquito, a #RegisteredCharity that is restoring one of these magnificent #aircraft to #flight status in the #UK. #aviation #history #RoyalAirForce #technology

  11. Any #mosquito biologists in the Fediverse willing to scrutinize some efficacy data produced by Spartan Mosquito? The company, based in #Hattiesburg, Mississippi (USA), markets tubes filled with sugar, yeast, water, and either sodium chloride or boric acid — and claims they kill mosquitoes (I'm skeptical). Through FOIA requests, I've obtained some of the data the company sends to states and to the #EPA to secure registrations, and I'd love to get opinions on whether the data are trustworthy. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Thanks, too, for boosterizing.

    #AttractiveToxicSugarBait #ATSB #LightTraps #MosquitoControl #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

    colinpurrington.com/2022/11/sp