Mosquito Trouble!

[gala_silverstar]

I live in an apartment complex in Houston, TX. The mosquito problem is so bad, that in the short trek to my vehicle I receive anywhere from 5-10 mosquito bites. The problem is so bad, they are also in my house. The weather stripping on the front door is so bad I can see daylight while I am inside around the door. I wake up with bites on my face and ears. We do not leave our door open other than to go in and out, and we don't go outside very much.

The city of Houston says that they are not responsibile for spraying on private property, and the rental property says they are not required to spray. However, the mosquito infestation makes this place nearly uninhabitable. I cannot continue to wear repellant, doing so would make myself sick. The rental property said I should spray my area with spray, however I would have to spray common grounds as well, and that could make me liable for dammages due to sickness to people and animals who are nearby. Plus, I do not see how it is my responsibility to take care of pest control, since they are responsibile for spraying for roaches, ants, and bees (we had a bee infestation at one point here--which they did take care of)

I have never seen, nor do I even know where to purchase anything other than repellant that goes on the body to keep mosquitoes away.

There have been cases of West Nile in our zip code, and I know mosquitoes carry many other diseases, so I am worried about myself and my husband--who is actually sick with a fever right now after being bitten 15 times on his hand in 1 minute. (his wrist was actually bleeding afterwards, and not from scratching)

Who is responsibile for the mosquito infestation outside?
what can I do to protect myself and my husband?
would I be able to deduct the cost of pesticides from my rent?
is it illegal for me to spray pesticides in a common area?

 

[Hot Topic]

Indiscriminate spraying kills beneficial insects, some of whom prey on mosquitoes, as well as posing a danger to humans. Shame on management for killing bees and using potentially dangerous means of controlling roaches and ants. Call a beekeeper to take the bees away. There are "people friendly" ways to control roaches and ants.

I'm working on suggestions for your problem. I've read that fans are a good way to keep "skeeters" away because they're weak flyers. Wear light clothing. Don't wear perfume or use scented soaps.

If there's any water sitting around the property, whether it be in the saucer under a potted plant or in an old tire, it needs to be gotten rid of because skeeters lay their eggs in any standing water they can. Water dishes for cats and dogs should be emptied and refilled regularly.

More as I come upon it. Get your husband to a doctor if he has a fever from the bites.

 

[nextwife]

http://www.skeeterdefeater.com/screens_netting/jacket.html

 

[acmb05]

Indiscriminate spraying kills beneficial insects, some of whom prey on mosquitoes, as well as posing a danger to humans. Shame on management for killing bees and using potentially dangerous means of controlling roaches and ants. Call a beekeeper to take the bees away. There are "people friendly" ways to control roaches and ants.

I'm working on suggestions for your problem. I've read that fans are a good way to keep "skeeters" away because they're weak flyers. Wear light clothing. Don't wear perfume or use scented soaps.

If there's any water sitting around the property, whether it be in the saucer under a potted plant or in an old tire, it needs to be gotten rid of because skeeters lay their eggs in any standing water they can. Water dishes for cats and dogs should be emptied and refilled regularly.

More as I come upon it. Get your husband to a doctor if he has a fever from the bites.

Where exactly did the OP say that the landlord used "potentially dangerous" ways to get rid of the bee's and such. All she said was that they got rid of them. How do you know they did not use an exterminator? All OP saids was they got rid of them not that they killed them all.

"People friendly ways" to get rid of roaches? Now that is a riot. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[tryingtoplease]

Two words - Mosquito Magnet. We have one & it works great. I bought it on amazon.com. Good luck.

 

[moburkes]

http://www.skeeterdefeater.com/screens_netting/jacket.html

Good idea!

 

[gala_silverstar]

http://www.skeeterdefeater.com/screens_netting/jacket.html

mm... okay... so am I supposed to wear that even indoors at my own home? and when I'm sleeping? I'd love to see someone try wearing that while cooking.

of course I am also worried about my 2 cats who are also being bitten constantly, and I can't but a jacket on them Nor do I feel comfortable spraying pesticides in or on my apartment and patio.

 

[gala_silverstar]

Two words - Mosquito Magnet. We have one & it works great. I bought it on amazon.com. Good luck.

WOW that thing is like 300 dollars. That is definately not an affordable solution. If I could afford that, I wouldn't be living here

I"m sure it works well (would have to for that price) It is definately something I will look into once I can afford it. I"m on a student's income, so more affordable means would be best.

 

[PghREA]

Try Avon's Skin So Soft.

 

[shell007]

A "BOUNCE" dryer sheet also works.

Keeps away bee's and Hornet's too.

 

[tryingtoplease]

WOW that thing is like 300 dollars. That is definately not an affordable solution. If I could afford that, I wouldn't be living here

I"m sure it works well (would have to for that price) It is definately something I will look into once I can afford it. I"m on a student's income, so more affordable means would be best.

Okay, cheapest solution I know of is baking soda & water, applied to bites, making them less itchy.

 

[Hot Topic]

When in doubt, spray is the solution to a multitude of insect problems, acmb05. Since the OP hasn't corrected me, it looks like that's what the landlord did to get rid of the bees, ants and roaches. Roaches, of course, simply run to a spray free area, then return when it has subsided. There are roach traps you can buy that kill eggs and roaches. You end up with a lot of corpses to vacuum up, but it's better than worrying about you and your pets inhaling poison.

The Mosquitoe Magnet hasn't been scientifically proven effective against mosquitos, and there are questions about other "sure cures." I used the following sure cures and got zero relief from severe itching: rubbing dry soap and toothpaste into the bites; applying aloe vera to them; and putting scotch tape on them.

How about mosquitoe netting?

 

[tryingtoplease]

Mosquito Magnet-not scientically proven? Okay, but how about consumer proven? I live in Cali, have it outside my slider where they are most apt to enter my house and can count numerous little "corpses" in my catch. All I need to prove that 10 - 20 less skeeters are NOT around each night. Works well enough for me!

 

[gala_silverstar]

I appreciate all the mosquito remedies.

now, as far as legal issues. Does anyone know? who is responsible? is it me? the city? the complex?

The majority of the problem is NOT on my property, and anything I do here is a very temporary fix. mostly, I prefer to not get bitten at all, since we have mosquito disease epidemics here.

 

[HappyHusband]

I appreciate all the mosquito remedies.

now, as far as legal issues. Does anyone know? who is responsible? is it me? the city? the complex?

The majority of the problem is NOT on my property, and anything I do here is a very temporary fix. mostly, I prefer to not get bitten at all, since we have mosquito disease epidemics here.

Call 311. Tell them you have an unusually bad infestation of skeeters in your complex.
Maybe they will send out a health officer to inspect the premises and cite the property owner IF they find anything violating the public health code, which encourages the skeetos, such as standing water, etc.