Do mosquito traps work?
An enormous amount of consumer interest has been generated by the marketing of new devices designed to attract, then either trap or kill, mosquitoes. The general idea is to reduce the number of questing mosquitoes that would otherwise be afflicting the homeowner. Many products even claim to significantly reduce or even collapse local mosquito populations by decreasing the number of egg-laying females through their capture. All of these traps utilize some form of attractant that lures the host-seeking female mosquitoes to a capture or killing device. In some cases, mosquitoes are captured via an impellor fan that suctions them into a net, where they desiccate while other trapping systems use a sticky surface to which the mosquitoes adhere when they land. Still others utilize an electric grid to electrocute mosquitoes drawn into contact. These are not set-and-forget devices. Each requires some level of maintenance, i.e.
A lot of marketing dollars have been spent and a lot of consumers have bought mosquito traps such as the Mosquito Magnet in the past few years. These traps are designed to attract mosquitoes then vacuum in or stick or electrocute them in order to reduce area mosquito populations. There are a number of reasons why these machines are not the magic bullet as claimed by their manufacturers — by a long shot. There are just too many variables associated with so many mosquito species in America that the outcomes of ongoing trap effectiveness studies are literally all over the map. They require maintenance, and the common attractant of ox breath scent does not lure Asian Tiger Mosquitoes. The vacuum trap can easily become uncallibrated causing too much carbon dioxide to be emitted, actually repelling mosquitoes. As a consumer, it could help your mosquito situation, but maybe not. It could help you this season, but maybe not next season.
Most mosquito traps utilizing carbon dioxide as an attractant are quite effective. Other technologies have been proven to be far LESS effective. Trap location, wind directions, and the layout of your yard and outdoor living spaces will all an important role in determining how effective a mosquito trap is as part of your overall mosquito control program. The bottom line is that you should research all available resources to determine which specific unit will best suit your needs. The good news is that there are products out there that can help reduce your mosquito woes. More information about how to select a mosquito trap.
An enormous amount of consumer interest has been generated by the marketing of new devices designed to attract, then either trap or kill, mosquitoes. The general idea is to reduce the number of questing mosquitoes that would otherwise be afflicting the homeowner. Many products even claim to significantly reduce or even collapse local mosquito populations by decreasing the number of egg-laying females through their capture. All of these traps utilize some form of attractant that lures the host-seeking female mosquitoes to a capture or killing device. In some cases, mosquitoes are captured via an impellor fan that suctions them into a net, where they desiccate while other trapping systems use a sticky surface to which the mosquitoes adhere when they land. Still others utilize an electric grid to electrocute mosquitoes drawn into contact. These are not set-and-forget devices. Each requires some level of maintenance, i.e. propane tanks need replacement, capture nets need emptying, adhesive
From a long distance biting flies and mosquitoes use sight to find their hosts. But, from shorter distances they use odor. Because all of us exhale carbon dioxide these insects “smell” carbon dioxide to locate a host. At very close range mosquitoes and biting flies may use the odor of sweat. Some of the new traps also use an artificial sweat, octenol, to enhance the trap’s effectiveness.
