Mesh is decent, but yeah, mosquitoes are annoyingly persistent. I've seen them squeeze through gaps I didn't even know existed. Dunks do help, but I'm curious—has anyone tried those ultrasonic mosquito repellents near their rain barrels or greywater setups? I've heard mixed things about whether they actually work outdoors or if they're just another gimmick. Seems like every summer there's a new gadget promising to keep bugs away, and half the time it's just wishful thinking...
I've tested those ultrasonic repellents around rain barrels before, and honestly... results were pretty meh. They seem to work okay indoors in enclosed spaces, but outdoors, especially near water sources, mosquitoes hardly noticed them. You're probably better off sticking with dunks or even adding a fine mesh screen (something like window screen material) sealed tightly around openings. It's not fancy, but at least it doesn't promise miracles it can't deliver, haha.
I've had somewhat better luck with ultrasonics outdoors, but placement matters a lot. If they're too exposed or near standing water, you're right—they do next to nothing. But mounted higher up and combined with citronella candles, I've noticed fewer mosquitoes around. Still not foolproof though...
"mounted higher up and combined with citronella candles, I've noticed fewer mosquitoes around. Still not foolproof though..."
I've tried the ultrasonic route myself, and honestly, I'm still skeptical. Maybe it's just my yard, but even mounted high up, they didn't seem to make much difference. Citronella candles help a bit, sure, but the mosquitoes here seem pretty determined.
What actually made a noticeable dent for me was adding bat houses around the property. Took a while for bats to move in, but once they did, mosquito numbers dropped significantly. Plus, it's a natural solution that doesn't rely on electricity or refills. Might be worth considering if you're looking for something more reliable than ultrasonics...
I've been thinking about bat houses too, but I'm a bit hesitant... how much maintenance do they actually need? And did you have any trouble attracting bats initially? I've heard mixed things—some people say bats moved in quickly, others waited months with no luck. Definitely seems like a great natural solution, but I'm still weighing if it's worth the effort compared to just sticking with citronella and screens.
