Our yard, and the yards of all of our neighbors, have been mosquito plagued for years. It really reduces our quality of life in the summer. We are all so lucky that living in a city we even have yards, and it is a real shame to not be able to use them because of horrific mosquitos. Each year we try to think of a new mosquito annihilation tactic and I would love input on what else we can try. Our challenges are many:

Our street is all row houses with 16ft wide properties, our fences and yards all abut each other. Across the alley from our row of houses are old mansions that have been turned into studio apartments and many are owned by crappy landlords.

Here are some things we have thought of and/or tried:

1. We would love to pitch in and get a mosquito magnet machine, however, it says to place them 30 - 40 feet away from where people congregate. We don't have that kind of space.

2. Try to eliminate standing water as much as possible, but it is impossible. We are talking about 30+ homeowners and landlords. Some of us are very committed and clean our drains and gutters, don't leave saucers or buckets for standing water. But some landlords don't care, have sagging roofs that puddle water in the rain.

3. One summer we put out bucket of water with dunks and bits in them.

4. We have had the City Vector control department come access the situation. They discovered that one street over there is an electrical transformer below the sidewalk with a metal grate covering. It has feet of standing water. We have tried to get the electric company to come clear it out, but no such luck. The city did give a citation and warning to a landlord whose backyard was wall to wall 7 foot tall weeds. They whacked them and they grew back.

5. Even in the front of my house of our houses there are tons of mosquitos where it is sidewalk and no yard. Could they be attracted to our flower boxes?

6. A neighbor is going to try spraying with Cutter in her backyard. She'd like to spray the entire alley. I prefer to not be exposed to those carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. I've read about garlic spray solutions that you can purchase. Has anyone used these? Are they effective? Do they wash away in the rain? https://www.amazon.com/Mosquito-Barrier-Liquid-Repellent-1-Quart/dp/B01ES720PS/ref=asc_df_B01ES720PS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167137474498&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8061801506679823865&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007308&hvtargid=pla-305124657529&psc=1

I'm open to any and all suggestions, including the honest conclusion that there may be nothing that can be done.

Thanks.