Tootfinder

The University of Wisconsin Department of Entomology has a nice primer on why so many people think bats (and purple martins) control mosquitoes. #bats #mosquitoes https://mosquitosite.russell.wisc.edu/preventing-mosquito-bites/bats-and-birds/

Just a reminder that Tougher Than Tom's Mosquito TNT is a complete scam. My review below has several tips on how to get your money back. #mosquitoes #austin #texas #insects #scam https://colinpurrington.com/2025/06/tougher-than-toms-mosquito-tnt/

I'm very curious what people think about the American Mosquito Control Association's warning about using Mosquito Dunks to control mosquitoes. They assert without evidence that mosquito buckets will attract mosquitoes to our yards, making the problem worse. My suspicion is that AMCA's corporate sponsors want people to spray more pesticides. #mosquitoes #pesticides https://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-bucket

Instructions for trapping mosquitoes that are in your bedroom. #mosquitoes https://colinpurrington.com/2020/06/diy-soda-bottle-mosquito-trap/

Beta testing an indoor mosquito trap. I usually make these with plastic soda bottles but eyed a glass lamp base at the hardware store and thought I'd give it a try. Baited with a cheesecloth-covered jar of honey, rose water, and a few drops of orange liquor. And a cheesecloth-covered chunk of dark chocolate from Venezuela. It targets mosquitoes that are looking for a nectar meal. Useful for trapping annoying mosquitoes that somehow got inside. #nectar #mosquitoes

Some good news: I think I've succeeded in shutting down Pest Proof, a company selling a scam mosquito trap filled with yeast, sugar, baking soda, and citric acid. Its e-commerce site started displaying, "Site Inactive", today, at least. Over the past several weeks I've sent complaints to all 50 states, the EPA, the FTC, and to regulatory authorities in Canada and the UK where it was also being marketed. Someone listened, it seems. Traps like this kill innocent insects, not mosquitoes. #mosquitoes #insects

Good mosquito advice in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Originally from the Washington Post. [gift link] #mosquitoes #philadelphia #repllent https://share.inquirer.com/i6o8en

Made another mosquito-killing box fan to set up near chairs on my front porch. As mosquitoes approach they get flattened against the netting, which I spray with permethrin, a contact insecticide. #mosquitoes #permethrin #fan

Here are the two mosquito-killing box fans on my porch. I'm still trying to figure out how to orient them to maximize the number of the mosquitoes trapped. I think the best setup is likely to have them both blow away from me. And I'll probably move them closer to my legs because Asian tiger mosquitoes love smelly socks and feet. #mosquitoes

Here's another scam I'm trying to get removed from the market: the BiteShield Mosquito Trap. It's filled with yeast and sugar and is supposed to draw in and trap mosquitoes. Currently for sale in the USA, the UK, and Canada. Owner information is hidden behind a Wyoming LLC but I'm pretty sure it's the same scammer who runs Tougher Than Tom, a company based in Austin, Texas. #mosquitoes

In personal news, so far this year I've been bitten by only 1 mosquito. I'm sure August will change that but it's been nice so far. #mosquitoes

Mosquito egg rafts in my mini pond. I added another Mosquito Dunk because you can also see some larvae. #mosquitoes #pond #diptera #culex

Video of a mosquito entering a DIY trap containing stagnant water and a Mosquito Dunk. Gravid females enter through an opening on the top (a black pot with bottom removed to make a funnel) but can't escape because they are attracted to light coming through the clear plastic sides (acrylic mixing bowl with bottom removed). Base is a black floral pot that I got for free at Trader Joe's. There's a sticky card hanging inside via a magnet and a paper clip but I don't think it's even needed. Better than standard mosquito buckets which only kill larvae. I'll post design tips on my blog but if you can't wait: I used a Dremel tool to hack off the plastic parts, then a glue gun to attach everything together. #diy #mosquitoes #insects #trailcam

Dark ricefield mosquito (Psorophora columbiae) near the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana. Or at least I think that's what it is. The species can become so numerous after a flood that cows can die from exsanguination. #mosquito #diptera #nature #flies #louisiana #vacherie #blood

There's a cute fox in this video but that's just clickbait. What I want to point out are all the mosquitoes flitting about. Probably there to oviposit (the surface is clogged with egg rafts) but perhaps some are just having a drink. And still others may be looking for love. Anyway, all as a way to encourage everyone with a mini-pond to use Mosquito Dunks (safe for foxes!). #fox #pond #mosquitoes #trailcam https://youtu.be/Gwl2sA-LcKw

Today I sent an email to pesticide regulators in all 50 states asking them to investigate Tougher Than Tom's advertising tactics. The Texas-based company is using generative AI to mislead consumers into believing the Mosquito TNT traps mosquitoes. #mosquitoes #ai #advertising #fifra

If you make a mosquito bucket, please cover the top with screening so that toddlers don't fall in. Per the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 40 toddlers drown each year in the United States. Happens all over the world. Happens even when buckets are half full. #mosquitoes #buckets #health #safety #parenting #kids