Facts and Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mosquito Barrier repel these?
When you initially spray Mosquito Barrier it kills the mosquitos and chases away the ticks, fleas and gnats. It coats the leaf surface of the grass, ornamentals and lower leaves of the trees with natural sulfur contained in garlic juice and all of these insects, not initially killed, are repelled from the area by this juice. It also prevents entry of any neighboring mosquitoes that may consider wandering in from next door. Mosquito larvae which were in any standing water in the area are now suffocated by the spray which coats the water's surface and prevents oxygen from reaching the larvae. The Mosquito Barrier is odorless to humans, but not to the insects.
A mosquito's sense of smell is about 10,000 times better than yours and they are able to locate humans because they detect the carbon dioxide given off by us. Mosquito Barrier masks the carbon dioxide odor. If they can't find you, they can't bite you and they seek nourishment elsewhere. Another important fact to remember is that mosquitoes are also attracted to bright lights - as are a lot of other early evening or nighttime bugs. No matter what stands between them and the light - they don't care - they go right for the lights. It's always a good idea to turn down the lights in the evening to reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.
Haven't you ever wondered why there are no mosquitoes in a garlic field?
Yes, when the geese are there to eat the grass. Geese land in city parks, school grounds and in urban areas and feed on the grass. Mosquito Barrier makes the grass taste bad to the geese and they leave.
You bet. Mosquito Barrier does a splendid job of repelling them from yards, flowers, trees and even wheat fields. The Azalea Society of Oklahoma wrote us a marvelous letter - saving their flowers from a huge grasshopper infestation.
To use Mosquito Barrier to repel grasshoppers, mix 8 oz. of Mosquito Barrier with a gallon of fish emulsion then add this mixture to 20 gallons of water. Spray the field and you will see them leaving ahead of the spray!
Mosquito Facts:
Mosquitoes are "born" in standing water, mud, ponds, tin cans, under decks, puddles and old tires, etc. Hundreds of thousands are "born" each day in your area during infestations.
Worldwide there are approximately 3,300 species of mosquitoes. In North America (north of Mexico) we have 167 species and subspecies. Only the female bites you because the "beak" on the male mosquito is not built in a way that it can bite you. Mosquitoes rarely travel farther than 300 feet from their birthplace. They like dark areas and will suck the juice out of plants in order to live - including tree leaves, grass, shrubs, etc.
Spraying poisons kills adults present today, but more are born tomorrow and you must spray poisons again tomorrow. Ideally, a spray kills all mosquitoes present in an area and prevents the birth of new ones. Most importantly, mosquitoes from adjacent areas will be repelled by the sulfurous odor (undetectable to humans) that coats the plants they are trying to feed on.
Click here to learn more about how a mosquito finds you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mosquito Barrier safe for my children and pets?
Yes! There are no poisons or harmful chemicals in Mosquito Barrier. Just 99.3% garlic juice with some food grade preservatives added.
Does Mosquito Barrier repel Fleas, Ticks and Chiggers?
Yes, but don't spray your dog or cat. Instead, cut all tall grass and spray liberally on grass, shrubs, plants and tree trunks in the yard. Spray the yard completely. Also, be sure to spray the sides of buildings, tree trunks and wooden fence posts to a height of 6 feet when spraying for ticks. There is no need to spray the foliage on any trees. If there is a heavy infestation, repeat in 5 days and then every two weeks thereafter. That should be sufficient to keep the insects out of the yard.
What exactly are ticks?
Ticks are not insects. They are arthropods that are more closely related to spiders. Adult ticks have 8 legs while insects have 6 legs. Ticks are ectoparasites, meaning that they must have a host for most of their life cycle to survive and reproduce. The tick life-cycle includes an egg, larval, nymphal and adult stage. The larval stage of the tick has 6 legs, but when it molts to the nymphal stage, there are 8 legs.
Can I keep mosquitoes off my child by spraying her?
No. Mosquito Barrier does not work when sprayed on people to keep insects away. Mosquito Barrier only removes feeding areas. See explanation next to Mosquito photo above.
Is there an all-natural mosquito repellent I can put on myself that works?
Yes. Excellent results can be obtained (up to 5 or 6 hours of protection) by using some common household items in a simple mixture you can make yourself! Simply mix 1 teaspoon of soybean oil (available from your grocery store) and one quarter of a teaspoon of Palmolive liquid soap into one cup of water. Mix well and spray onto your arms and legs and wipe on your face and neck.
To make sure you are not allergic to the soybean oil or the soap put small amount on the inner area of your forearm and wait a half hour to see if any redness or irritation occurs.
Does the garlic spray keep ticks off of me in my yard or in the woods?
Many of our users claim marvelous success by putting the garlic into a spray bottle, diluted half with our garlic and half with water and spraying their shoes socks and pants (knees down mostly) and they come back with no ticks at all. And they do it year after year. Just be sure your pants are tucked inside your socks or you have a rubber band around the bottom of your trouser legs.
Can my dog or cat get West Nile Virus from mosquitoes?
Yes, they can and there is no cure. However, it is rarely fatal. By all means, check with your vet if your pet appears ill or feverish.
Will eating garlic repel mosquitoes?
No. Many studies have been done on this subject. It has never been scientifically shown that eating garlic will repel mosquitoes. Spraying garlic on foliage does keep mosquitoes from the sprayed area however.
If I don't use all the Mosquito Barrier, will it stay good until next year?
Put the lid on tight, store it in a cool place and it should last for about two years. In a refrigerator at 40 degrees, it will last several years.
Can I use a hose-end garden sprayer to put the Mosquito Barrier in and spray my yard?
Yes. Not as precise as a cannister sprayer, but it works OK. Most of these hose-end containers hold a quart and dilute about thirty parts water to one part Mosquito Barrier and the droplet size is large. If you choose to use it, mix 12 ounces of Mosquito Barrier and 20 ounces of water and pour the mixture into the container and spray away.
What is the best way to use a hose-end garden sprayer?
The fastest way is just to fill the hose-end container with a mixture of 12 ounces of Mosquito Barrier and 20 ounces of water, screw on the garden hose and spray away. Normally it takes about 7 minutes to empty the container with the garden hose on full blast, so you need to be quick, or fill it again until you have covered everything we recommend. Our garlic juice may contain micron-sized particles of garlic dust which can, on occasion, clog the nozzle of your hose-end sprayer. If you experience this, please filter the garlic juice through a terry cloth or other similar cloth to prevent any clogging issues.
I have a 2-gallon canister sprayer. What would be my formula of Mosquito Barrier and water?
Use 2 ounces of Mosquito Barrier for each gallon of liquid. For 2 gallons of total spray put in 4 ounces of Mosquito Barrier.
Do you have a picture of the yard sprayer you recommend - or the type of sprayer?
Yes, for normal sized yards this style of sprayer (no particular brand is recommended is very effective. It is called a Hudson Style, pump up sprayer with wand. They are are available at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and other hardware and nursery outlets.
Where can I get a good commercial or professional heavy duty sprayer that would be good for large areas?
A splendid line of sprayers for larger areas can be found at Big John Manufacturing Company. They are located in Osmond, Nebraska. Visit their web site at www.BigJohnMfg.com or call them at (402)748-3235.
Can I use Mosquito Barrier in a fogger?
Yes, the recommended concentration in foggers is 5% Mosquito Barrier and 95% water.
What can I do about mosquitoes indoors?
Turn off the lights and let them settle on the ceiling (or wall), then flip on the lights and vacuum them up. Sleep in the breeze of a fan.
Would installing a mosquito misting system be better than spraying Mosquito Barrier at sundown?
Mosquito misting systems generally are on a timer and are programmed to go off in the early morning, at sundown and in the early evening. They spray a poison which kills bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. On windy days they can blow the poison onto your neighbor's property. If your neighbors are allergic to the poison, you may be facing legal problems. Mosquito Barrier is best sprayed at sundown when no bees or butterflies are out. If the wind blows - it won't poison anyone or anything. It's also safe around fish.
Why is a gallon of Mosquito Barrier the perfect size?
You will normally use between a pint and a quart at each spraying, you may need to spray for 3 or 4 times during the Summer mosquito season. Also, you can save it for next year! Put a cap on and put in cool place and it will be good for next season. Many customers share with their neighbors.
Should I use canola oil with Mosquito Barrier?
No. You should mix canola oil with Mosquito Barrier only if you're going to spray the mixture on standing water. The oil helps with standing water and puddles for suffocation of larvae.
Why do you sometimes recommend a 1% solution and at other times recommend a 2% solution of Mosquito Barrier be sprayed?
With normal infestations the 1% solution of Mosquito Barrier works fine. For heavier infestations you may increase the strength anywhere from a 2% to 5% solution or more. Your best method would be to spray first with a 1% solution, if you still notice some infestation then increase the strength.
How does a film of oil on water kill mosquito larvae?
The natural oils found in Mosquito Barrier and the sticker (canola oil) clog the snorkel that the mosquito larvae use to breathe.
I want to buy Mosquito Barrier right now. How can I do that?
You can place an order directly from our web site by clicking the ORDER button below. Your order will be shipped via UPS. If you're in a hurry, we'll ship it UPS 2nd Day Air for you. If you prefer to place the order by phone, you may call us at (800)424-7990 and we'll be happy to process your order.
Do I have to spray again if it rains?
Do not spray if rain is predicted for the next 24 to 48 hours. After spraying and having about a 48 hour dry-spell window the Mosquito Barrier will generally be okay even through 2 or 3 moderate rain showers. Best way to determine when to spray again is to watch for mosquitoes. If you see them returning - it's time to spray again.
Is Mosquito Barrier harmful to beneficials like birds, bees, ladybugs and butterflies?
No, not at all. Birds, bees and ladybugs are not bothered by the garlic spray. Butterflies are not bothered by the garlic spray if you do not spray it on them directly.
I see several mosquito sprays for the yard that have Permetherin in them which is used to kill mosquitoes. Is it safe?
Permetherin has been licensed by the EPA since 1977 and has a few warnings in it's use: It kills bees and fish and many beneficial insects. It cannot be sprayed near streams, lakes, fish ponds, etc. Many sellers of products containing this chemical are often shy about telling consumers about what all it kills aside from mosquitoes.
Will Mosquito Barrier work on fire ants?
Yes. We have had excellent results getting rid of fire ants by using Mosquito Barrier in a drench that is poured over the fire ant mound. More information and instructions can be found here.
What makes your garlic product exceptional?
You may wish to read Dr. Larry D. Lawson's analysis of Mosquito Barrier. He is a researcher for Silliken Laboratories, one of the largest analytical laboratories in the world. To see his report, click here.
Will my horses be able to eat the grass sprayed with Mosquito Barrier?
Yes. Garlic does not bother horses at all. Some horse owners actually feed garlic (in liquid and solid forms) to their horses to help keep flies away.
I am used to measuring in teaspoons and cups. Could you convert ounces to those for me?
6 teaspoonfuls make an ounce, 8 ounces make a cup.
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