Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Chemmie on May 12, 2006, 07:40:23 am
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I have one week to go before I get to enjoy my Tiger River Caspian. I am very excited.
Our new hot tub is going to be in our backyard in Orlando, which has a ton of tropical vegitation. We have a small gazebo type thing around the hot tub, but there are no screens to protect us from the bugs (ie. evil mosquitos).
I was just wondering if anyone had some good ideas for keeping the bugs away while we are in the hot tub and not totally submerged.
Bug zapper?
Citronella?
What seems to work best, or does the heat from the water keep some of them away? Any advice?
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I have one week to go before I get to enjoy my Tiger River Caspian. I am very excited.
Our new hot tub is going to be in our backyard in Orlando, which has a ton of tropical vegitation. We have a small gazebo type thing around the hot tub, but there are no screens to protect us from the bugs (ie. evil mosquitos).
I was just wondering if anyone had some good ideas for keeping the bugs away while we are in the hot tub and not totally submerged.
Bug zapper?
Citronella?
What seems to work best, or does the heat from the water keep some of them away? Any advice?
You are going to love the Caspain. 8)
Bug zappers don't really kill mosiquitos. I use a couple of tiki tourches with citronella oil and it works "ok" (in a wooded yard, in the NorthEast).
On the deck I use several of the OFF lanterns (candle with an insert) I have very good luck with these, but they really only last one or two nights . Refills packs are $4.00 for 4 units. The candle heats up the treate pad, and release a skeeter deterant.
(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/GodlikeMoron/200.jpg)
I have been hearing more and more good things about the mosquito magnets (the propane fuled catchers). The trick is to catch the skeeters before they breed. They cover about .5 - 1 acre. IF you have close neigbors you could always talk them into buying one. ;)
I have also seen several very nice, high end pergolas from Plow and Hearth, that have mosqito netting. Maybe some off lanterns and the netting closed would work for you?
(http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/GodlikeMoron/pandw.jpg)
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up here in southern NH, we use a mosquito magnet. It seems to be working. i jbought it towards the end of last summer and it seemed to make a difference. we also use the tikki torches
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I have also heard good things about mosquito magnets, but have no expereince.
I'd advise against a bug zapper: Drewstar is right. Bug Zappers kill mostly harmless and beneficial bugs, some of whom might even eat mosquitos, or at least help ypur garden. Bug zappers rely on an insect's attraction to light, but mosquitos are attracted to CO2 that we exhale. So one way to hide from them is just not to breathe, but I guess that is not too realistic.
Congrats on the tub!!!
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I have also heard good things about mosquito magnets, but have no expereince.
I'd advise against a bug zapper: Drewstar is right. Bug Zappers kill mostly harmless and beneficial bugs, some of whom might even eat mosquitos, or at least help ypur garden. Bug zappers rely on an insect's attraction to light, but mosquitos are attracted to CO2 that we exhale. So one way to hide from them is just not to breathe, but I guess that is not too realistic.
Congrats on the tub!!!
I didn't say I didn't use zappers. (I have 2, 1 acre units on the perimeter. ) I live in the woods, and without them, the yard would be unliveable. I am torn about using them, but even the good bugs swarm to the house lights... I have bat houses, zappers, candles, tourches, sprays, lanterns. I am thinkning on investing in the magnet as well. I understood the first few year models had some problems, but I think they changed the ignitor, and I have been told that if store them in the winter correctly and blow out the lines, they work very well. I'm about ready to buy one.....
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We don't have problems with skeeters in my yard. Lucky too, because my husband reacts to insect bites. I make a point to be sure anything that can hold rain water is dumped....right after a rain (and Drew that means your pool cover). I also have a koi pond and I honestly believe it draws the skeeters to lay eggs and the fish eat them. This is a far out idea (as most of mine are) but what if you used a fan to blow across the tub while you were soaking? It would cool you off a bit in the summer and the darn skeeters couldn't fly close enought to get on you. :-/..Ok, it's a dumb idea...but something I would try ;)
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I didn't say I didn't use zappers. (I have 2, 1 acre units on the perimeter. ) I live in the woods, and without them, the yard would be unliveable. I am torn about using them, but even the good bugs swarm to the house lights... I have bat houses, zappers, candles, tourches, sprays, lanterns. I am thinkning on investing in the magnet as well. I understood the first few year models had some problems, but I think they changed the ignitor, and I have been told that if store them in the winter correctly and blow out the lines, they work very well. I'm about ready to buy one.....
Drewstar, one suggestion for you, when you do buy the magnet. i would buy a second propane tank. you never want to run out of propane. i have the 1 acre unit and one tank last about 21 days.
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Good advice from Bonnie ( I like the fan idea) :D And yup. I get the pool cover off Asap, for just the very reason. A koi pond....Hmmm. My cats would love that. ;)
Yea Water104, Its time to buy a real mosquito deterant. Extra propanes tanks are always great idea.
;)
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(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/hymbaw/757px-Aedes_aegypti_biting_human.jpg)
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Here's an option...http://www.mosquitonix.com/
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Gotta look into the mosquito magnet thing...
My wife doesn't have any problem with mosquitos, but something about me attracts them like crazy. If I go outside at night, in a matter of minutes I am itching and scratching with all of the bites, while she has none. I guess I'm just too sweet... ;D
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I experience the same problem Chemie. It is sort of interesting to stand in a group and I am the only one complaining about the skeeter bites.
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Simply look to Coleman for the answers...is there anything they can't do? :)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/2ca64065.jpg)
The Coleman Mosquito Deleto
Terminator
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Screen in your gazebo. There is no better solution than screened enclosures.
Bill in West Palm Beach who knows the deal. :-)
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How about a snorkel? That way you can completely submerge in the tub. ;D
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Screen in your gazebo. There is no better solution than screened enclosures.
Bill in West Palm Beach who knows the deal. :-)
Oh come on Bill, there's no mosquitos in S. FL. ;D
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Screening is the best idea and the mosquito magnets do work. You just have to find out the breeze patterns in your yard.
I have a friend who lives in a woodsy area and a couple of his neighbors have them - he is benefitting from it. He claims that when the neighbors turn them on, he notices that he doesn't have too many mosquitos. I know this is a bit unscientific but so is the ozone and N2 debate! ;) ;D
As far as the Koi pond - yes fish do work. I believe back in the 50's the government put fish (don't remember which breed) into fresh water flooding areas to control mosquitos.
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My wild birds also help keep down the population of skeeters. You would be amazed at the amount of insects that a Carolina Wren can devour ...or a Purple Martin or even bats. I encourage them all and enjoy the show. On the rare times that we soak during the day, the birds fly so close to us, never noticing that we are sitting in the tub. ;D
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I hope you wear those umbrella hats!! ;)
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In our area (Vero Beach) they have sprayed the mosquito into near extinction.
My nemisis is the No-see-ums. >:(
Man I hate those things almost as much as skunks and posion ivy.
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Chemmie,
I also live in Orlando and notice that when the pumps are running, I have no bug problems. I also put in the yellow bug lights in my patio and it seems to help.
Where did you buy a Tiger River in Orlando?
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How about a snorkel? That way you can completely submerge in the tub. ;D
that would certainly be the most economical!
Actually, the "OFF" brand makes some kind of lantern thing that is supposed to keep bugs out of a 15x15 foot area. I bought one of those on the cheap and will see what that does, for now. I looked for the Coleman product but could not find one. I'm also thinking about getting some tiki torches, both for the looks and to keep the bugs away.
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Chemmie,
I also live in Orlando and notice that when the pumps are running, I have no bug problems. I also put in the yellow bug lights in my patio and it seems to help.
Where did you buy a Tiger River in Orlando?
I bought my Tiger River from Spas Etc. on 17/92 in Casselberry...er, might be Longwood. It's a couple miles down from 436. Nice place, knowledgable staff and from the sounds of things they provide good service after you buy. We also went to the Marquis dealer which is about a mile farther down the road. They were also nice and knowledgable, but we decided on the Caspian. We really love it. It seems to have deeper seats than many of the others that we tried.
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After this past weekend, I think I'd be more worried about those gators.
They don't eat skeeters do they?
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After this past weekend, I think I'd be more worried about those gators.
They don't eat skeeters do they?
No, the skeeters eat them! :o
Actually, we have a lot of racoons and possum in our neighborhood. The possum are always in our yard and my dogs love to chase them. They aren't aggressive and usually run away, but if my big dog gets them, it's bad news. He's killed one, unfortunately. Sometimes they just scare us because they are big. Other than that, they don't bother us. Both them and the raccoons love to get in the trash if we don't cover it properly. We've learned that the hard way.
The funny thing is, we have all of this wildlife right in downtown Orlando. Sometimes I think this entire state was never meant to be populated.
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(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g198/hymbaw/duckator.jpg)
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Drifting through Sears today and saw that they had several nice looking "gazebos" for sale with insect screen that could be pulled around all four sides for $250-$450. The $450 was 12'x12'.
Looked pretty nice for the price!
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=07187283000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
On sale on the internet site for $400. Don't know if the same price is available in stores.
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In my local pool store last night, the Mosiqito Magnet 1 acre, corded unit was $470, tank not included.