by Mozziemaid

HOW TRAPS WORK: aka Fatal Attraction!

There seem to be two main elements to a successful mosquito trap; the ability to attract mosquitoes to the trap and once there, get the mosquitoes into the trap where they can't escape and they then die - I call it 'Fatal Attraction'. These mosquito traps can kill thousands of mosquitoes in a single night, which interrupts the breeding cycle of the female mosquito (she who bites!) thus significantly decreasing mosquito populations.

In the U.S. there are 10 or so major brands of trap available through the usual retail outlets and manufacturers websites. The main design feature of most of these traps is the use of propane which is combusted to produce CO2, water vapour and heat to attract mosquitoes. Propane while non-toxic, is flammable. Help! I read that some mosquito deleto propane traps were recalled in their thousands because of a potential fire hazard.

A notable exception to propane traps are Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps. Research into mosquitoes over the past 50 years has shown that they find their prey using a combination of sensory cues which includes: shape, color, heat, vibration, sweat and other by-products of human activity. Envirosafe Technologies International Ltd claim to have used that research together with extensive field testing around the world to develop one of the world's most advanced mosquito traps : the mega-catch Ultra

They make three other modesl; the Alpha which is great if you only have a small yard or garden, the premier which has coverage up to 1 acre, and the Ultra for areas up to 1.5 acres.  If you have a large yard and major mosquito infestation, go for the the biggest and the best!

THE ULTRA TRAP seems packed with a host of user-friendly features which they list on their website.  The most appealing of those were:

· Programmable multi-function timer for use during peak mosquito activity, making it more economical to run than traps that require 24/7 operation

· By using the CO2 gas release system available in the trap, you can increase capture rates of most mosquito species by as much as 300-400%

· It's made from durable, all-weather casings and quality components and has a 1 year manufacturers warranty against defects in material and workmanship

· Self Service. The unique modular design of the Ultra allows the customer to easily replace any components - all that's needed is a screwdriver. So no more delays or costly service centre charges.

· And as they say on the box - Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps come fully assembled - simply install, connect to power, switch on and let Mega-Catch™ go to work!

And to see it actually working check out some great mosquito killing footage on You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9bMVZAzKRo

While traps won't permanently eliminate mosquitoes, they are effective especially when used in combination with other sensible precautions: www.mosquito.org 

Mosquito traps shouldn't be used as a replacement for mosquito nets, or insect repellents, but an adjunct. Mosquito nets protect limited spaces; whereas mosquito traps protect larger open spaces. Nets are extremely effective at blocking mosquitoes; traps kill mosquitoes, but have to attract them in first. Together, they make a potent combination

• Keep grass mown, bushes trimmed and debris out of the gutters
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites i.e. old tires, bird baths, pot plant bases, decorative ponds, plastic containers etc. Remember anything that holds water is a potential mosquito nursery.
• Use screens and mosquito nets where practicable to provide mosquito-free areas
• Wear light colored clothing which is less attractive to mosquitoes and long sleeves and long pants during the hours when mosquitoes are on the hunt
• Get rid of standing water from ditches and low-lying areas
• Use insect repellants like picaridin (www.picaridin.com) or deet when mosquitoes are at their most active

Every little bit helps a lot. And while killing off all the mosquitoes in the world sounds like a great idea, it'll never happen. It pays to be proactive and use a combination of techniques, including mosquito traps, to help control mosquitoes, and protect against these invasive,  disease carrying pests.

It's now easy to check out the different mosquito traps on the market and how they perform, with a simple click of the mouse.

Amazon Review:

"I have had the Mosquito Magnet for 3-4 years. The magnet is very, very problematic...."

"I am using the Mosquito Magnet with Lurex, and the Ultra with CO2, octenol and light...I suspect the Ultra will just simply destroy the magnet in my tests"

This is the one for me! - Testimonials abound on the internet for this mean machine .

http://www.daddypanda.com/2009/09/mosquito-mega-catch.html "A cool gadget for those mosquito haters out there and has $200 to spare. In a USDA suburban test, the Mosquito Mega Catch captured up to 1200 mosquitoes in a single night and diminished mosquito populations over an entire acre. It is plug and play device and uses scent attraction (resembling breath) generated using a strip of octenol. It can even be programmed to work for 24 hours or just during peak hours such as at night time.

Recommended for those who really hate MOSQUITO!! hahaha...."

It's environmentally friendly, yet safe and simple to use - definitely a 'must have' for mosquito haters!

Other helpful sites:
www.mosquitotraps.com
www.consumersearch.com/mosquito-traps
www.mosquitoworld.net