Mosquito netting options for backyard
As typical for a green Brooklyn backyard, I have a ridiculously horrible mosquito problem – so awful that the yard is basically unusable all summer long. I would love the Brownstoner community’s thoughts on mosquito netting options, specifically if there’s a viable product out there or if I need to DIY or have someone make something for me. – The easiest option would be a gazebo like the one in the picture below. There seem to be a million of those out there. However, I really don’t like the covered roof since the part of my yard where I’d be lounging is already very shady and because water wouldn’t go through to the grass. Does anyone know if the roof membrane can easily be replaced with plain mosquito netting? http://www.amazon.com/Living-Accents-Gazebo-Mosquito-Netting/dp/B0046ZDXUY – Another option would be to just buy freeform mosquito netting and drape it across the yard and along the sides of each fence. My tall husband would need to stoop and he thinks that it could be really ugly. And we’d need to fashion some sort of door flap. Thoughts? – Another option would be to drape mosquito netting over a ready-made pergola or custom structure. Does anyone have ideas about where I can find one without breaking the bank? I’d be looking for a structure big enough to fit both a patio table and a lounge chair or two…

NewOwner
in Garden 12 years and 4 months ago
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simonmoudgil | 11 years and 5 months ago
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I would suggest you for netting installation in your backyard, it would prevent you and your family from the mosquitoes and other insects.[Cleanwrap Interior Protection](http://cleanwrap.net/) has many other types of nets and wall barriers that will prevent from dust and other contamination.

shadie | 12 years and 1 month ago
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I’ve been working on a blog post to help others figure out how to handle the bugs. I bought and can vouch for the Swiss Gear Smartshade 10×10 Screen House. The top would be difficult to replace with netting, but it’s possible. All my efforts are documented in the blog post. Pardon anything hastily written. I wanted to post it quickly so you can read it. http://partshade.blogspot.com/2013/06/mosquitos-thoughts-research-solutions.html

jib | 12 years and 4 months ago
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I’ll give you my mosquito magnet for free-they really dont work. Sure they catch mosquitoes but not enough to make a difference. I tried for multiple summers to no avail. plus theyre very expensive to run

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 4 months ago
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Spray the yard with Yard Guard about 15 minutes before you want to go out…..they’ll all die.

NewOwner | 12 years and 4 months ago
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Sorry, one more, to Grand Army Red: any idea how easy/feasible it is to remove existing roofing from a gazebo structure?

NewOwner | 12 years and 4 months ago
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Thanks, everyone. I’ll look into the Sunsetter awnings company. No standing water in my yard, just lots of greenery. Has anyone actually had success with the carbon dioxide mosquito traps in a city backyard? I feel like the environment (closed off from wind by buildings, lots of plants, etc) is super conducive to mosquitoes. I’m also a little wary since I have an infant – are the mosquito traps safe?

stevecym | 12 years and 4 months ago
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As Marie Helene suggested, the propane mosquito traps. they work by emiting carbon dioxide to draw mosquitos in and then they trap them. They claim to cover an acre so I imagine one unit would do a pretty good job behind a block of row houses. Steve

marie-helene | 12 years and 4 months ago
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The biggest issue in Brooklyn are tiger mosquitoes, which do not need standing water to reproduce. It’s impossible to insure dry, leaf-free underbrush in summer (at least as long as Brooklyn doesn’t have a desertic climate.) Instead of trying to install a screen, I recommend you invest in a carbon dioxide mosquito trap. It’s extremely satisfying to open the drawer at the bottom and see hundreds of dessicated mosquito bodies. It’s also worth it to plant chrysantemums (the hardy kind) to frame the bottom of your stairs or on each side of your backdoor. You can grab a few leaves and rub your exposed skin, it’s very effective, and you’ll have beautiful flowers in the fall.

Arkady | 12 years and 4 months ago
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Mosquitos don’t really range very far so you should try to identify standing water where they lay eggs – even a small amount in the saucer of a flower pot is enough. HD & Lowe’s sell a product called Mosquito Dunks in tablet & powder form that work very well – non-toxic to plants & pets – & last a month or more so long as they’re not washed away by rain. I have several ‘water features’ & haven’t had much of a mosquito problem since using the dunks for the last 4 or 5 years.

elbow | 12 years and 4 months ago
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Can you get rid of the mosquitos? Any standing water you can eliminate? I get some standing water under my deck but manage to kil the larva with hornet spray and/or a stick.

NeoGrec | 12 years and 4 months ago
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I live in Prospect Heights and struggle with this issue too. Probably exacerbated by the fact of our deep back yards — the greenery we love also creates homes for mosquitos. I once had an architect draw up some pretty cool plans for a permanent screen porch to be built on our deck. We didn’t go forward because DOB would have prohibited windows/screening on more than 10% of the “wall” adjacent to the neighbor and the overall cost was too high. Now landmarking of the neighborhood makes this a non-starter. There’s an awnings company called Sunsetter who have a product with screen panels that attach to an awnings mounted on the back wall of the house. Not especially pretty, and possibly not landmarks compliant, but it could be a solution if you have a deck off the parlor floor or patio off the ground floor. Draping netting over a simple frame might work but you’d probably have to buy a frame and remove whatever roofing fabric it comes with. I’m thinking of erecting a screen tent on the deck for the summer!