Mosquito Magnets and Mosquito Trap

0

Posted by admin | Posted in Mosquito Trap | Posted on 11-06-2009

Tags: mosquito control, Mosquito Killer, mosquito magnet, Mosquito Trap, zapper

Mosquito traps work by attracting mosquitoes with a combination of carbon dioxide and other chemical attractants like octenol, which is generic molecule that simulates plant chemicals, or Lurex, a proprietary mixture that simulates sweat chemicals. Common brand names for mosquito traps include: Mosquito Magnet, Mega-trap, Blue Rhino SkeeterVac, Flowtron PowerTrap and The Guardian by Lentek .

These mosquito killers pump out carbon dioxide to simulate the respiration of an animal to lure the mosquito and then trap them. Carbon dixode emitted from these machines is meant to mimic the CO2 exhaled from humans or animals of which the mosquitoes are attracted to. These machines generally quite large, and require an electrical outlet to operate, which compromises their portability. They often include a propane tank which produces the carbon dioxide, often through a catalytic effect without the use of a flame.

To be effective, the mosquito trap must be using the correct attractant for the particular species of mosquito, as well as be placed in the proper location (upwind from where the mosquito breeds and lives). Mosquito control with these devices also takes time, it will often 6 weeks before the mosquito killer does its job and the mosquito population is decimated.

This makes the mosquito trap a good option for those who have backyard mosquito issues, but not so much a good option for the back-country backpacker. These mosquito traps and mosquito magnets are a great option for the backyard gathering allowing guests to be free from having to slather on personal insect repellent sprays once the population has been controlled.

In order to put a dent in the mosquito population, most traps require round-the-clock operation. The chemical signature the trap gives off attracts the mosquitoes, causing them to fly toward the trap. As they get close, a fan inside the trap acts like a vacuum cleaner to suck them into a net bag or collection tray where they are trapped and die.

Even though the standard 20 pound propane tank must be replaced every three weeks or so, these types of mosquito traps are preferable to the insect zappers as they are effective in targeting and capturing specifically the mosquito, and leaving the benign insects alone.