Mosquitoes

[Starscream]

So, forum experts, how do mosquitoes get into a 26x that has good screens for both the front hatch and companionway? There must be other ways in that are fairly well marked for a mosquito but invisible to me. On a hunch I I stuffed that clear plastic pipe at the far back port side of the rear berth, but still had a slow but steady flow of visitors (and what is that pipe for, again?). Could they be making it up the sink drain hole?

What are the known problem areas?

[Crikey]

Hey Starscream, that's the sound of one hand clapping - there is no answer to that question!
Get yourself one of those dollar store electronic mosquito zappers, attach a closet led light to the handle, and thank me later!
R.

[Azzarac]

They are crafty little devils that will find their way through any little crevice. The sink drain may be a good place to start though. I know I had to put the stopper in mine while on the trailer at the house to keep bumble bees from entering the cabin. Its not a lot of fun to open the companionway and have them greet you in a swarm LOL!

[Paulieb]

I use the nets with elastic around them, that are meant to go over a baby stroller. They are cheap and work great.

Paulieb

[Russ]

One word... "Deet"

[seahouse]

A small downward loop in the sink drain just before it exits the through-hull fitting will hold a bit of water that will prevent insects from entering that way. Make sure that the water there is not stagnant, and a breeding ground itself; put a bit of water down it now and then. The life cycle time of a mosquito varies, (temperature, species) but every 3 days will suffice.

I would suspect your problem might be mosquitos breeding in the bilges, or moist areas somewhere within the cabin.

- Brian.

[David Mellon]

Make sure you have oil in your bilge and any other spot where water might accumulate. To stop skeeters on farms old time farmers would toss the old oil filters from their trucks into their ponds.

[seahouse]

Of course, oil is less common in the bilge water on our boats, because the motor is isolated from them. But water can still accumulate in any number of hidden “bilge” areas belowdecks.

Oil works by forming a surface film on the water that prevents the mosquito larvae from penetrating it with their snorkel to breathe. While it will asphyxiate the mosquitos, it can also be messy in areas where clean things are sometimes stored.

Adding surfactants to the water, like soap or detergents, will also prevent the larvae from breathing by breaking the surface tension.

I would check all the areas under the floor panels and storage spaces – there are lots of spots for water to sit where mosquitos can breed, and dry them with a sponge if you find any water.

If you do find water, you will be able to tell if there are mosquitos breeding visually by using a bright light. They’re squirmy little devils that wriggle up and down in the water. But they can also breed in moist spots, like a damp sponge, as well.

Good luck. Crikey’s suggestion works too, and can be fun. And the fun never ends sometime.

- Brian.

[Tomfoolery]

But they can also breed in moist spots, like a damp sponge, as well.

I didn't know that. I'll have to be more careful.

[Divecoz]

If you have standing water in your bilge? You Need to address the leak....

[robbarnes1965]

Interesting. I never see mosquito inside but I have an M. Maybe there is a difference? But on the other hand, the spider population has exploded this year, much to the admiral's chagrin, so that might be a factor

Where are you located Starscream?

[Sea Wind]

So, forum experts, how do mosquitoes get into a 26x that has good screens for both the front hatch and companionway? There must be other ways in that are fairly well marked for a mosquito but invisible to me. On a hunch I I stuffed that clear plastic pipe at the far back port side of the rear berth, but still had a slow but steady flow of visitors (and what is that pipe for, again?). Could they be making it up the sink drain hole?

What are the known problem areas?

I think that you are referring to the pipe that drains the transom well. If that is connected well it should be no problem.
are you putting the screens well in advance of having mosquitos around? By the time you start filling bites might be too late to have a mosquito-free boat. I usually put the screens out after settign anchors while the sun is still high; this also keeps flies away.
How about the gap under the front hatch?
do you have solar vents that are off?
I would also clean the bilges to make sure you don't have a mosquito farm.
They could also be getting in during the week through the gap between the front hatch and the companionway hatch. I also spray deet around the edges of the hatches.
Finally, are you talking about regular mosquitos or no see-ums? For the latter you need no see-ums screens not the regular mosquito screens.
We have a toddler that reacts badly to mosquito bites (I am talking allergic not your average cursing), so we always pay extra attention to this subject.

[Crikey]

Right on about battening the hatches early!
Sometimes I think we're dealing with some of the crafty buggers that have hidden themselves away last year.
I wonder what's the speed of a Canadian mosquito?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2R3FvS4xr4

[Starscream]

Guys, thanks for the replies. I like the idea of a little bug zapper in the cabin, I might try that one. My bilges are dry, as a rule, so I don't think they're breeding there. I do have a loop in the drain line of the sink so that's not where they are coming from. After some thinking I believe it was either mosquitoes that came in with us as the sun was going down, or it was that clear plastic tube way in the back of the rear bunk. After I stuffed it their numbers certainly dwindled as I hunted them down.

RobBarnes1965 I just north of Montreal near the 15/640 intersection and keep Starscream in my driveway. I launch fairly regularly at Ste. Placide, north of Oka, but am looking for closer places, if you have any recommendations. I am going to give Marina Bobino in Pointe Calumet a try this weekend. Their ramp is public but they charge 25 bucks to park the truck for the day. Any other suggestions? Let me know if you are heading out sometime, I am somewhat of a newbie and would love to raft up and pick your brains!

[Russ]

I think there is a lot to them getting in early before the screens go up. It only takes a couple of them to ruin an evening. I also believe some hang out for days waiting for blood.

As for zappers, I thought they have been proven ineffective.

http://www.mosquito.org/faq#zappers

Do Bug-Zappers work?
Black light insect electrocution devices (Bug Zappers, etc.) are purchased in huge quantities by homeowners due to their demonstrated ability to attract and kill thousands of insects over a 24 hr. period. One industry representative estimates that over 1.75 million of these devices are purchased annually in the U.S. But do they really control pest insects? Bug zappers do indeed kill some mosquitoes. However, the only two controlled studies conducted to date by independent investigators at the University of Notre Dame showed that mosquitoes comprised merely 4.1% and 6.4% respectively of the daily catch over an entire season. Even more important was the finding in both studies that there was no significant difference in the number of mosquitoes found in yards with or without bug zappers. What is particularly disconcerting, however, is the number of non-pest insects that comprise the vast majority of trap catch. Many of these insects are beneficial predators on other insect pests. They in turn constitute a major part of the diet of many songbirds. Indeed, reduced numbers of moth and beetle prey species have contributed significantly to the decline of songbird populations in many affluent suburbs. Insect electrocution devices undoubtedly bear some responsibility for this phenomenon. Mosquitoes continue to be more attracted to humans than to the devices. One study conducted in homeowners' backyards showed that of the insects killed by these devices, only 0.13% were female mosquitoes. An estimated 71 billion to 350 billion beneficial insects may be killed annually in the United States by these electrocuting devices.