I live surrounded by a pond, large wetlands and woods. Been there 30 year. Worked on a West Nile control program for my employer (a local municipality) and here's what I've found:
1)The larvae are easier to kill. They are in the water in your kid's toys, your home's gutters, birdbath, house plant water tray, the street drain, low areas in your lawn, etc. Find those sources and drain 'em. The ones you can't, apply mosquito dunks. They use a bacteria specific to mosquitoes. Works for a month.
2)The adults are all over, and can be a challenge. But they must land to rest and this is where I use a Cutter Bug Free Backyard Spray. Hook it to a hose and spray approximately 100 ft circle around your observation site. I apply it during the day. Kills 'em while they rest. Works quite well. I often don't need protection
(I use 30% or greater DEET, water based so no solvent can destroy optical coatings) Haven't tried the dryer softener sheets.
3) A researcher at Michigan State University has shown that a slight breeze of about 4.5MPH or greater reduces mosquitoes ability to sense your carbon dioxide emissions and heat signature. Try pulling out a fan and blow it around you. If you find the wind chilling, two fans on either side of you can be aimed around you, producing a diluting effect without having the breeze directed at you.
4) There is a Permethrin spray you can buy to apply to clothes. Sawyer's makes one.
http://www.permethrin-repellent.com/products.htm
5) Wait till winter to observe if you live in the north.
Works and is free! Good luck.
Gerald
