I. Specifications

A commercial client consulted A-NIKS to install a new mosquito misting system on their Central Florida property. This is a small resort with an open garden area of 3 acres in the back of the property.

The topography of the property is as follows:

• 1 acre of flat land immediately behind the resort
• 1 acre of hilly land with several slopes converging towards
• One small lake of 1/2 acre is situated on the remaining acre of land.

An underground source of fresh water feeds the lake. There is an area on the shore of the lake where the water is not moving: this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Near the resort building, the first acre of land is divided into three zones: (a) A pool area with a pool deck on about 10,000 sq. ft.;  (b) A garden area with ten small “islands” for guests to gather in small groups and relax; an “island” is a small paved surface with either lounge chairs or a table and chairs, under an umbrella. Islands are connected throughout the garden by paved walkways. They are separated from each other by privet shrubs. The ten islands are spread over a surface of 8,000 sq. ft.; (c) A grassy area surrounded by bramble and, on one side, a small forest property of Florida.

The resort owner wants to build a couple of fishing docks and eight new islands at the bottom of the property around the lake.  He needs the whole property to be somewhat protected from mosquitoes and no-see-hums and asked to design a mosquito misting system that will cover the pool area, the section with the ten islands, and the section around the lake with the eight new islands.

In addition, he wanted us to advise him on what to Plant in each of these areas to create a natural botanical barrier against mosquitoes. The planting will start from the back wall of the resort and extend to around the pool area and each of the ten islands. The eight new islands near the lake will also be surrounded by insect-repellent plants forming a garden connecting all eight islands.

Lastly, the owner wants to know if the bramble has to be uprooted and replaced with a low-cost insect-repellent plant system.

1. Our project

1.1. Pool and Garden Area (10,000 sq. ft. and 8,000 sq. ft., respectively)

Given the layout and size of these areas and the exposure to wind, we propose installing a network of misting nozzles along the perimeter of the pool deck and each garden island. The nozzles will be discreetly mounted on fences, walls, and under eaves. The entire system will be connected with corrosion-resistant nylon tubing that carries the misting solution from the central reservoir.

1.2. Lake Area (including 8 New Islands)

We will strategically position misting nozzles around the lake’s perimeter and each new island. This will involve installing an underground piping system to supply the misting solution from the central unit. Nozzles can be mounted on the posts for the fishing docks to ensure coverage.

1.3 Groundwork for Mosquito Misting System

1.3.1 Pool and Garden Area

The groundwork involves conducting a thorough survey to identify strategic locations for the misting nozzles, considering wind direction and areas frequented by guests. Then, we must install the central unit and reservoir in a shaded and discreet location. The tubing will follow the shortest and least obtrusive routes from the main team to the designated nozzle locations. Any necessary drilling on walls, fences, or under eaves will be done at this stage. The tubing will then be attached to the structure using clips and the nozzles fitted at the endpoints.

1.2. Lake Area (including 8 New Islands):

The groundwork for the lake area will be more involved due to the need to install underground pipes. We’ll identify the most efficient routes for the lines to minimize disruption to the landscape. Trenches will be dug to house the lines, and once the system is in place, the tracks will be filled and the surface restored. Nozzles will be mounted on posts for the fishing docks and islands like the pool and garden area.

2. Botanical Barrier Planting

For an effective botanical barrier against mosquitoes, we partnered with a landscape architect and a plant nursery to recommend planting a combination of mosquito-repellant plants.

These include Citronella, Lavender, Marigolds, Lemon Balm, Basil, Catnip, Rosemary, and Garlic.

These plants are known for their insect-repelling properties and can be arranged artistically to enhance the aesthetic of your resort.

They will also support the weather and heat of Florida.

2.1. Pool Area and 10 Islands:

Integrate these plants into the existing landscaping. For example, Citronella and Lavender can be planted along the perimeter of the pool area. In the garden, create clusters of Rosemary, Basil, and Marigolds around each island to form an attractive and functional barrier.

2.2. Lake Area (including 8 New Islands):

Surround each new island and the entire lake perimeter with these plants. In particular, plant Lemongrass and Marigolds liberally as they thrive near water bodies and offer excellent mosquito repelling properties.

2.3 Plant Systems

The planting season and maturity times vary for each plant species. Here is the detailed information:

Citronella

Planting Season: Spring, after the last frost.

Time to Maturity: 1-2 years to reach full height (5-6 feet).

Lavender

Planting Season: Early Spring or Fall.

Time to Maturity: Around 2-3 years to reach full height (1-2 feet).

Marigolds

Planting Season: Late Spring, after the last frost.

Time to Maturity: Around eight weeks to bloom.

Lemon Balm

Planting Season: Spring.

Time to Maturity: 1-2 years to reach full height (2-3 feet).

Basil

Planting Season: Late Spring or early Summer.

Time to Maturity: 60-90 days to reach full size and start flowering.

Catnip

Planting Season: Spring or Fall.

Time to Maturity: Around three months to bloom.

Rosemary

Planting Season: Early Spring.

Time to Maturity: Around 1-2 years to reach full height (3-4 feet).

Garlic

Planting Season: Fall for the best yield, but Spring is also possible.

Time to Maturity: Approximately 8-9 months for Fall planting or 90 days for Spring planting.

Although these plants may take some time to reach full maturity, they will start giving off their insect-repelling fragrances long before they get full size, offering some protection even while they are still growing.

3. Bramble Area

Brambles do not necessarily need to be uprooted unless they are invasive or unattractive. Instead, you can incorporate Garlic and Catnip, which grow well in similar conditions and offer additional mosquito repellent properties.

The proposed misting system is designed to automatically spray a fine mist of botanical insecticide at predetermined intervals. The insecticide we use is a plant-based natural solution.

III. Maintenance

Regularly maintaining the misting system and replanting certain plants seasonally will be essential for continued effectiveness. We offer annual maintenance contracts to ensure your mosquito misting system is fully operational  100% of the time.

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