Propane-powered Mosquito Traps: What's the deal? Do they work?
Yard Guy
hardware stores a few years ago, but I don't think I've seen any of them
lately. They retailed for around $300 and up to $450 if I remember
correctly. Some brand names include Skeeter Vac and Mosquito Magnet.
The premis is that they gave off a carbon-monoxide (or co2?) scent (by
burning propane) which would attract mosquitoes into a one-way bag where
they'd die. Some of the claims were that one unit was good for about an
acre of coverage.
The reviews on Amazon are mixed. Some claim it catches everything but
mosquitoes, some claim it works great on them. Many don't like the
ongoing cost of replacing sticky paper.
Some employ some combination (or all?) of these methods: heat, co2,
octenol, lactic acid, suction, blinking lights, sticky paper.
What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
dpb
...
> What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
I've seen no independent testing results that indicated they're more
effective than alternatives tested--which is pretty much why they're not
particularly widespread; it appears that most of the glowing
testimonials are either sponsored "research" (read advertising hype) or
self-justification of the $$ spent to avoid admitting have been suckered.
It's been a while since I looked but google found several studies a
while back from various land-grant universities, etc., that concluded
they're of minimal help if any...
--
JB
by them and swear at them. I do think that the science behind this is sound.
I did find that the comments seemed better for those that used a combination
of heat, co2, and attractant.
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4A86CA17...@Guy.com...
Brian V
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4A86CA17...@Guy.com...
I'd be one that swears by them! We have the Liberty Plus model and it works
awesome! On year 3 now without a single problem. Our backyard is essentially
moquito free while our neighbors 2 houses away have them all over the place.
Every tank tank (3 weeks) I empty the net and there must be about 1000 dead
females in there. If it were to break down and be non-repairable I would
without question replace it with the same model without hesitation.
-Brian
Rod Speed
That can only be because some werent that well designed.
Its been known for a long time now what attracts mosquitos.
dpb
May be so; as noted the testing results I remember seeing didn't
demonstrate significantly higher preferential capture rates for the
devices. Particularly, they weren't effective for anything even
remotely approaching the acreage coverage claims iirc...
There are likely newer studies available; others are welcome to pursue
it. Seems like it was LSU extension maybe(???) that had some of the
most extensive that I saw previously but I'm not certain of that any
longer....
--
Real Pisser
"Brian V" <die_s...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:h66j78$255$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I, on the other hand, have a Mosquito Magnet Defender which is a smaller
model rated for 1/2 acre, I believe. Although we have lots and lots of
mosquitoes, the unit collects maybe 10 to 15 mosquitoes a night, but does
not do much to control the little bastards. I tried placing the unit in
several locations in my yard and finally found the place that it works best
in, but 15 mosquitos does not really do much to reduce the population. I set
the unit out in the early spring when the bastards first start, but they
just keep coming. The Summers here on Long Island, NY are hot and humid, and
they just thrive here. After having the unit for about 5 years, and the
original mfr replacing the 1st Defender unit on warranty in year one, I have
to say that at least in my case, the unit was a waste of 300 dollars to buy
it, a waste of 20 pounds of propane every three weeks, plus the Octanol
attractant also needed. I have mine running right now, but I keep hoping for
better results in vain. I am glad your unit works well for you Brian. I
have a friend who swears by his too, but if I am doing something wrong, I
don't know what it is. It works, but so does swatting them. Ouch! A thousand
mosquitos a month seems like a small number to me considering how many I
actually can see flying around in the evening all over my yard.
By the way, there is a web site that gives instructions on repairing these
units (the Defender, anyway) http://gra.midco.net/jmanley/#Defender
RP
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed wrote
>> dpb wrote
>>> Yard Guy wrote
>>>> What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
>>> I've seen no independent testing results that indicated they're more
>>> effective than alternatives tested--which is pretty much why they're
>>> not particularly widespread; it appears that most of the glowing
>>> testimonials are either sponsored "research" (read advertising hype)
>>> or self-justification of the $$ spent to avoid admitting have been suckered.
>>> It's been a while since I looked but google found several studies a
>>> while back from various land-grant universities, etc., that
>>> concluded they're of minimal help if any...
>> That can only be because some werent that well designed.
>> Its been known for a long time now what attracts mosquitos.
> May be so;
No maybe about it.
> as noted the testing results I remember seeing didn't demonstrate significantly higher preferential capture rates for
> the devices.
Higher than what ? If they capture anything,
they must be working better than no device at all.
> Particularly, they weren't effective for anything even
> remotely approaching the acreage coverage claims iirc...
Different matter entirely.
> There are likely newer studies available; others are welcome to pursue
> it. Seems like it was LSU extension maybe(???) that had some of the
> most extensive that I saw previously but I'm not certain of that any longer....
Sounds like you are comprehensively garbling what they actually said.
Van Chocstraw
Get a good electric bug zapper. Mine is caked with mosquitoes, black
flies and minges every morning. Any small flying insect attracted by
ultra violet even small moths and beetles. Some take a while to cook and
smoke a little. It's fun to watch. The tiny flies get zapped when they
are 3 abreast in the zapper. Sometimes I blow it out at midnight and
again in the morning. I use an electric leaf blower. Bugs are pretty stupid.
dpb
> dpb wrote
>> Rod Speed wrote
>>> dpb wrote
>>>> Yard Guy wrote
>
>> May be so;
>
> No maybe about it.
You're taking that away from the rest of the sentence it was modifying
to infer a totally different meaning from what I said...
Certainly it's know what attracts skeeters to live critters; what's not
so clear is that the artificially-generated attempts are effective.
...
> Higher than what ? If they capture anything,
> they must be working better than no device at all.
Than the other devices in the test, obviously... :(
>> Particularly, they weren't effective for anything even
>> remotely approaching the acreage coverage claims iirc...
>
> Different matter entirely.
But still a portion of the test and how effective they are for practical
use. So what if even if they were 100% effective in a small radius--you
going to limit your position into that area? The devices are typically
advertised as covering sizable fractions of an acre.
>> There are likely newer studies available; others are welcome to pursue
>> it. Seems like it was LSU extension maybe(???) that had some of the
>> most extensive that I saw previously but I'm not certain of that any longer....
>
> Sounds like you are comprehensively garbling what they actually said.
No; the conclusions were they were no more effective than other traps
tested w/o the CO2 attractants...
As they say, "you can look it up"... :)
--
Ed Pawlowski
"Van Chocstraw" <boobooil...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
> Get a good electric bug zapper. Mine is caked with mosquitoes, black flies
> and minges every morning. Any small flying insect attracted by ultra
> violet even small moths and beetles. Some take a while to cook and smoke a
> little. It's fun to watch. The tiny flies get zapped when they are 3
> abreast in the zapper. Sometimes I blow it out at midnight and again in
> the morning. I use an electric leaf blower. Bugs are pretty stupid.
I used one for a couple of years and like yours, it would be loaded with
bugs. The problem, however, is that it attracted more bugs than when I had
nothing and it was still a net gain on my screen door in spite of those
killed away from the house where the zapper was hung. I'd never have one
again. . It may work better in more urban areas, especially if a few
neighbors have them too.
JIMMIE
> "Van Chocstraw" <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
That is pretty much my story too. I took one camping and it attracted
more than it killed. Having the extra propane bottle did come in
handy . They are good for emptying out the bugs in a controlled space
like a
screened porch.
Jimmie
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed wrote:
>> dpb wrote
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>> dpb wrote
>>>>> Yard Guy wrote
>>>>>> What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
>>>>> I've seen no independent testing results that indicated they're more
>>>>> effective than alternatives tested--which is pretty much why they're
>>>>> not particularly widespread; it appears that most of the glowing
>>>>> testimonials are either sponsored "research" (read advertising hype)
>>>>> or self-justification of the $$ spent to avoid admitting have been suckered.
>>>>> It's been a while since I looked but google found several studies a
>>>>> while back from various land-grant universities, etc., that
>>>>> concluded they're of minimal help if any...
>>>> That can only be because some werent that well designed.
>>>> Its been known for a long time now what attracts mosquitos.
>>> May be so;
>> No maybe about it.
> You're taking that away from the rest of the sentence it was modifying to infer a totally different meaning from what
> I said...
You're lying.
> Certainly it's know what attracts skeeters to live critters; what's
> not so clear is that the artificially-generated attempts are effective.
Corse its perfectly possible to provide the CO2, heat and
odours etc that are the same as what live humans produce.
>>> as noted the testing results I remember seeing didn't demonstrate significantly higher preferential capture rates
>>> for the devices.
>> Higher than what ? If they capture anything,
>> they must be working better than no device at all.
> Than the other devices in the test, obviously... :(
That means that those other devices are perfectly viable mosquito traps, stupid.
>>> Particularly, they weren't effective for anything even
>>> remotely approaching the acreage coverage claims iirc...
>> Different matter entirely.
> But still a portion of the test and how effective they are for practical use.
Wrong on that last.
> So what if even if they were 100% effective in a small radius--you going to limit your position into that area?
You havent established that they only work over a small area.
> The devices are typically advertised as covering sizable fractions of an acre.
Irrelevant if you dont need as much as that.
>>> There are likely newer studies available; others are welcome to pursue it. Seems like it was LSU extension
>>> maybe(???) that had some of the
>>> most extensive that I saw previously but I'm not certain of that any longer....
>> Sounds like you are comprehensively garbling what they actually said.
> No;
Yep.
> the conclusions were they were no more effective than other traps tested w/o the CO2 attractants...
Easy to claim. Have fun actually substantiating that claim.
> As they say, "you can look it up"... :)
As they say,
YOU made that claim about what they purportedly said.
YOU get to demonstrate that any actually said what you claim they said.
THATS how it works.
dpb
...
> You're lying.
FOAD, dickhead...
>> Certainly it's know what attracts skeeters to live critters; what's
>> not so clear is that the artificially-generated attempts are effective.
>
> Corse its perfectly possible to provide the CO2, heat and
> odours etc that are the same as what live humans produce.
Not w/o the same generating mechanism, no...there's more than just CO2
and the odors aren't all that simple to generate.
...
> That means that those other devices are perfectly viable mosquito traps, stupid.
But it also means the CO2-baited traps ain't worth the extra expense
which I presumed anybody w/ the least amount of intelligence would
realize is all that was said....
>
...
> Field trials for commercially available and experimental mosquito
> traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, octenol, or
> combinations of these were evaluated ...The total number of
> mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test were
> compared using 8 � 8 and 5 x 5 Latin square designs based on trap
> location. ... Traps baited with octenol captured significantly fewer
> Cx. pipiens than those not baited with octenol. Likewise, no Cx.
> orientalis were captured in octenol-baited traps. Host-seeking
> activity showed a similar bimodal pattern for all species captured.
> ... Significantly greater numbers of mosquitoes were captured with
> mosquito traps using counterflow technology when compared to standard
> light and carbon dioxide-baited traps.
IOW, just a fan to suck the critters in and trap 'em was more effective
than the expensive, fancy traps.
--
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed wrote:
> ...
>
>> You're lying.
>
> FOAD, dickhead...
Go and fuck yourself, fuckwit child.
>>> Certainly it's know what attracts skeeters to live critters; what's
>>> not so clear is that the artificially-generated attempts are effective.
>> Corse its perfectly possible to provide the CO2, heat and
>> odours etc that are the same as what live humans produce.
> Not w/o the same generating mechanism, no...
Wrong, as always.
> there's more than just CO2
It is however the primary thing that attracts mosquitos.
> and the odors aren't all that simple to generate.
They aint that hard either.
> ...
>
>> That means that those other devices are perfectly viable mosquito traps, stupid.
> But it also means the CO2-baited traps ain't worth the extra expense
Nothing like your previous claim.
> which I presumed anybody w/ the least amount of intelligence would realize is all that was said....
Never ever could bullshit and lie its way out of a wet paper bag.
>> Field trials for commercially available and experimental mosquito
>> traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, octenol, or
>> combinations of these were evaluated ...The total number of
>> mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test were
>> compared using 8 � 8 and 5 x 5 Latin square designs based on trap
>> location. ... Traps baited with octenol captured significantly fewer
>> Cx. pipiens than those not baited with octenol. Likewise, no Cx.
>> orientalis were captured in octenol-baited traps.
Pity we happened to be discussing PROPANE POWERED traps.
>> Host-seeking activity showed a similar bimodal pattern for all species captured. ... Significantly greater numbers of
>> mosquitoes were captured with mosquito traps using counterflow technology when compared to standard light and carbon
>> dioxide-baited traps.
No reason why the propane powered traps cant have counterflow as well, fuckwit child.
> IOW, just a fan to suck the critters in and trap 'em was more effective than the expensive, fancy traps.
That is nothing even remotely resembling anything like what they actually concluded, fuckwit child.
AND that particular study didnt even use the sort of mosquito traps that are used
in a domestic environment ANYWAY, they were SCIENTIFIC mosquito traps.
Try again.
Rod Speed
They ACTUALLY said that its the traps that have counterflow IN ADDITION
TO chemical and CO2 luring that work the best, which is hardly surprising.
http://apt.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1043%2F8756-971X(2001)017%5B0196%3ALCDAOM%5D2.3.CO%3B2&ct=1
Try again.
Jim Elbrecht
-snip-
>I used one for a couple of years and like yours, it would be loaded with
>bugs. The problem, however, is that it attracted more bugs than when I had
>nothing and it was still a net gain on my screen door in spite of those
>killed away from the house where the zapper was hung. I'd never have one
>again. . It may work better in more urban areas, especially if a few
>neighbors have them too.
An entomologist was being interviewed about the various ways of
dealing with mosquitoes and said the propane zappers were a good gift
for a neighbor. He wouldn't use one on his property though.
It was a while ago, but I think his conclusion was deet and fans for
the best reduction in bites.
Jim
dicko
On Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:16:42 -0400, Jim Elbrecht <elbr...@email.com>
wrote:
I find that this works pretty well.
Its got some drawbacks though. Since it outputs a gas to repel
mosquitos, any breeze reduces its effectiveness, and it takes several
minutes for the concentration of repellant to build up to effective
levels.
http://www.mosquitorepellent.com/olive-appliance.asp
Michael B
> I remember seeing these propane-powered mosquito traps at local big-box
> hardware stores a few years ago, but I don't think I've seen any of them
> lately.
>
If you are going to have a party, toss pieces of dry ice into a ditch
a few hundred feet away. They go for the carbon dioxide in your
breath,
the dry ice provides plenty of that, makes them head for the source.
Some have good luck with the traps, some don't. And there are some
possible reasons for the disparity. For one thing, wind direction. If
there
is a very gentle air movement sending the machine's attractant, but
the
mosquitoes heading for it find you before they get to it, you would
be
saying that it isn't doing the job. But if the neighbors on both sides
of
you use them, you would be saying you don't need one.
Most anything that makes carbon dioxide can serve as an attractant,
even the family dog. If you decide to get a device, be sure to decide
where your prevailing winds come from, and if wind speed is 3 miles
an hour or more, turn the unit off to save gas.
Also, consider taking 100mg. Vitamin B before you're going to be in
the yard, especially during the evening. And Avon Skin-So-Soft might
not be a bad idea, either. Neither are going to hurt, might help.
gpsman
That's how the ignorant think it works. More knowledgeable persons
simply refute, then may or may not chastise.
Any device may kill tons of mosquitoes. Whether those kills provide
adequate relief is another story entirely.
Gas/smoke/heat emitting devices are obviously dependent on the speed
and direction of the wind, a severe limitation of effectiveness.
As a former PCO who lives in the woods with a SO who is outdoors
morning to usually late night I recommend materials that both kill and
repel. I use Tempo Ultra WP (available on eBay at nearly PCO $)
applied at a 0.10 concentration with a Birchmeier 2-1/2 gallon sprayer
(the Cadillac of sprayers).
http://www.birchmeier.com/English/Aboutus/Portrait/tabid/88/Default.aspx
http://www.itbcompany.com/
The big downside is that pyrethrin insecticides, while safe for
mammals, aren't selective; they kill pretty much everything.
They are also quickly degraded by UV light (@48 hrs direct sunlight)
and while they will stick pretty good during a heavy rain, two rains
and they're in the dirt (it's been a tough year here in this regard,
it's rained twice every 3-4 days).
Another consideration is swimming pools. Get much in one by spray or
tracking) and you'll have algae growing like you've never seen before.
I spray everything in the vicinity; trees, grass, bushes, walls, deck
railing, being careful of overspray drift in the pool.
SWMBO sits out in her bikini unmolested by anything but me.
No "electronic" pest repellent/killer has been demonstrated to have
much effectiveness outdoors.
(I once met a client at a pet store and we put his new $50 electronic
rodent device in an aquarium full of mice. They immediately crawled
all over it.)
-----
- gpsman
aemeijers
> On Aug 16, 12:34 am, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
>> dpb wrote:
>>> Rod Speed wrote:
>>>> dpb wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>> dpb wrote
> No "electronic" pest repellent/killer has been demonstrated to have
> much effectiveness outdoors.
>
Speed...
(talk about futile battles...)
Michael B
> You're lying.
Still working on those "people skills", I see.
willshak
The best mosquito killers are Bats. Build some Bat houses around your
yard. Bats require no electricity, chemicals, devices,or other man made
objects, other than the bat house, to eliminate mosquitoes and other
insects, .
http://www.batconservation.org/content/Bathouseimportance.html
--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
dicko
On Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:01:08 -0400, willshak <will...@00hvc.rr.com>
wrote:
I thought that the study that showed bats eat up to 600 mosquitos an
hour was disproved.
The researchers had starved the bats and then released them into a
room with only mosquitos. Of course they ate the mosquitos. But in
real life, they much prefer the juicier moths and larger insects and
rarely touch mosquitos.
I listen in to the bats around here using an ultrasonic bat detector
and you can tell when they go into "close in high resolution sonar
mode" right before catching a bug. Its called a feeding buzz and let
me tell you, they come few and far between. If the bats were eating
mosquitos, the buzz would be continuous what with all the millions of
skeeters around here.
So while bats are good, I dont think they're quite the skeeter eating
machines they're made out to be.
Yard Guy
> The best mosquito killers are Bats.
While I've got nothing against bats, and wouldn't mind if there were
some around my place (I don't think there are any), I can't believe that
a mosquito is large enough to have an acoustic profile that would result
in it reflecting enough sound back to a bat to allow for echo location.
Or that there are enough calories in a mosquito to be worth the effort.
In other words, while I can believe that bats can detect, and eat, a lot
of flying insects (moths, etc) I simply don't believe that mosquitoes
form any significant portion of their diet.
Chas Hurst
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4A8A2948...@Guy.com...
>> In other words, while I can believe that bats can detect, and eat, a lot
> of flying insects (moths, etc) I simply don't believe that mosquitoes
> form any significant portion of their diet.
That's just plain ignorance. Bats eat lots of mosquitoes, and it doesn't
matter what portion of the bats diet mosquitoes make.
Art Todesco
> I remember seeing these propane-powered mosquito traps at local big-box
> hardware stores a few years ago, but I don't think I've seen any of them
> lately. They retailed for around $300 and up to $450 if I remember
> correctly. Some brand names include Skeeter Vac and Mosquito Magnet.
>
> The premis is that they gave off a carbon-monoxide (or co2?) scent (by
> burning propane) which would attract mosquitoes into a one-way bag where
> they'd die. Some of the claims were that one unit was good for about an
> acre of coverage.
>
> The reviews on Amazon are mixed. Some claim it catches everything but
> mosquitoes, some claim it works great on them. Many don't like the
> ongoing cost of replacing sticky paper.
>
> Some employ some combination (or all?) of these methods: heat, co2,
> octenol, lactic acid, suction, blinking lights, sticky paper.
>
> What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
local TV station did a test of various
mosquito units. As I recall, they found
these units to work real well. On
the down side, they were expensive and
expensive to run. They found
that the bug zappers not to do as well
(I'm digging this out from about 3
years ago, so it might not be real
accurate). Also, the one thing I remember
is that products like "Bug Free
Backyard" work almost as well and are
very cheap comparatively. You do have
to apply them every 3 weeks
or so. I've used this stuff in the
Chicago suburbs and
have been very happy with the results
.... probably poisoning me and
everything around me.
Yard Guy
> >> In other words, while I can believe that bats can detect, and eat
> >> mosquitoes form any significant portion of their diet.
>
> That's just plain ignorance. Bats eat lots of mosquitoes, and it
> doesn't matter what portion of the bats diet mosquitoes make.
A bat that eats one mosquito per night would not it a good reason to try
to attract bats to my back yard.
And you didn't respond to my comment that I question if a mosquito is
large enough to be detectible to the echo-location mechanism that bats
use to locate and consume their flying food items at night.
Yard Guy
traps, and if by the sake of their operation they end up attracting more
mosquitoes to an area than would ordinarily be there in the first place,
and that they may not capture these excess mosquitoes, thereby making
the mosquito problem worse for the backyard the unit is located in?
Chas Hurst
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4A8AB4CA...@Guy.com...
"A single bat can swallow 600 to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour, depending on the
bat species. An individual bat feeds for an hour or so at dusk and retreats
to its home site to rest. A second feeding may take place near dawn. With
about 100 small brown bats in a typical single colony, a lot of mosquitoes
can disappear in a single night. "
http://news.ufl.edu/2004/10/27/bats-n-skeeters/
Moron.
dicko
On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:38:56 -0400, "Chas Hurst" <hur...@comcast.net>
wrote:
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/proprom.htm
"Insectivorous Bats
Every so often, a well-meaning conservation group promotes bats to
eliminate mosquitoes from areas where nuisance has become intolerable.
This undoubtedly leads to rediscovery of research conducted in the
1950s indicating that bats released in a room filled with mosquitoes
could catch up to 10 mosquitoes per minute. The research was conducted
to measure the effectiveness of echolocation in insectivorous bat
species. The results have been extrapolated to suggest that wild bats
can consume 600 mosquitoes per hour. Using that figure, a colony of
500 bats will remove 250,000 mosquitoes each hour and theoretically
afford mosquito control for an entire neighborhood. Research since
that time has shown that insectivorous bats are opportunistic feeders
and that mosquitoes make up a very small percentage of their natural
diet. Bats' behavior when locked in a room with nothing to feed upon
but mosquitoes has no bearing on their behavior in the wild. Bats feed
on the same insects that turn up in bug zappers and are no more
effective for controlling mosquitoes than their electronic equivalent.
Providing habitat to enhance bat populations is an admirable activity
for conservation purposes. Using mosquito control as the reason to
initiate public interest is misleading at best."
Rod Speed
> Am I to assume that there is a debate regarding these propane-powered traps,
Not that so much as many cant seem to grasp that by their
nature they are going to be quite dependant on the wind.
With that sort of variable, its not surprising that few can really
grasp the basics of when they work well and when they dont.
The other complication is that counterflow traps work a lot better
that traps that dont have counterflow as well as the propane.
> and if by the sake of their operation they end up attracting more
> mosquitoes to an area than would ordinarily be there in the first place,
That wouldnt matter if they then trap the mosquitos effectively.
> and that they may not capture these excess mosquitoes,
They should do that if they are well designed.
> thereby making the mosquito problem worse for the backyard the unit is located in?
There is no evidence of that. Like with anything tho, some work better than others.
Rod Speed
> Chas Hurst wrote
It clearly must be when its known that bats eat
huge numbers of mosquitos in a single sitting.
And that is trivial to prove by killing the bats and examining their stomach contents.
Rod Speed
> Yard Guy wrote:
>> I remember seeing these propane-powered mosquito traps at local
>> big-box hardware stores a few years ago, but I don't think I've seen
>> any of them lately. They retailed for around $300 and up to $450 if
>> I remember correctly. Some brand names include Skeeter Vac and
>> Mosquito Magnet. The premis is that they gave off a carbon-monoxide (or co2?) scent
>> (by burning propane) which would attract mosquitoes into a one-way
>> bag where they'd die. Some of the claims were that one unit was
>> good for about an acre of coverage.
>>
>> The reviews on Amazon are mixed. Some claim it catches everything
>> but mosquitoes, some claim it works great on them. Many don't like
>> the ongoing cost of replacing sticky paper.
>>
>> Some employ some combination (or all?) of these methods: heat, co2,
>> octenol, lactic acid, suction, blinking lights, sticky paper.
>>
>> What's the verdict on these things? Are they effective?
> When I lived in the Chicago area, a
> local TV station did a test of various
> mosquito units. As I recall, they found
> these units to work real well. On
> the down side, they were expensive and
> expensive to run. They found
> that the bug zappers not to do as well
Thats not surprising given that many in mosquito
infested areas find that they dont see any mosquitos
inside the house while the lights are on in the evening, and
get them zooming around you in bed with the lights off.
They clearly do prefer the dark.
It would be interesting to see if part of the reason for
the variable results some get with propane traps is just
whether they are located where its dark and where its not.
> (I'm digging this out from about 3
> years ago, so it might not be real
> accurate). Also, the one thing I remember
> is that products like "Bug Free
> Backyard" work almost as well and are
> very cheap comparatively.
Yeah, the maintenance man at one place I worked
at believed in those and applied them when there
was a big outside barbeque at work in the evening.
This is in an irrigation area where the mosquitos
have 6 engines. Worked very well.
Jon Danniken
> Now if somebody could just come up with an electronic repellent for
> Rod Speed...
> (talk about futile battles...)
If it weren't for people QUOTING HIM, people like me would have forgotten
about him a long time ago.
Jon
robb
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message
> I remember seeing these propane-powered mosquito traps at local
big-box
> hardware stores a few years ago, but I don't think I've seen
any of them
> lately. They retailed for around $300 and up to $450 if I
remember
> correctly. Some brand names include Skeeter Vac and Mosquito
Magnet.
>
>
My limited experience with the controversy stems from the many
factors that influence the effectiveness of the traps (prevailing
wind, landscaping, etc.)
I maintain 2 Liberty Plus / Mosquito Magnets (cordless 1 acre
version) for three years now.
One for me (mine) and one for in-laws (theirs).
After many attempts to find optimal locations by moving the traps
around the two properties my results are as follows.
Mine is very effective, catching lots of mosquitos and a
noticeable reduction in mosquito troubles.
Theirs is not effective, catching relatively few and having
continual mosquito troubles.
Mine is on the edge/corner of the yard at the top of a sloping
open lawn with bushes around the perimeter and away from the
house.
Theirs is at the edge of a heavily wooded lot with sloping hill,
a creek nearby, rock outcrops, oddly shaped yard and open
space/patio bordered by low thick bushes.
When i purchased my traps the hardware guy offered me an
annecdote about how one year there was a run on their mosquito
trap inventory. The traps were returned in droves with the
primary complaint being they made the mosquito problem worse.
When he asked about the location of the mosquito traps it was
mostly placed on the deck or patio. So, the traps were just
attracting the mosquitos to the areas where people did not want
them.
hth
robb
Yard Guy
> My limited experience with the controversy stems from the
> many factors that influence the effectiveness of the traps
> (prevailing wind, landscaping, etc.)
> When i purchased my traps the hardware guy offered me an
> annecdote about how one year there was a run on their mosquito
> trap inventory. The traps were returned in droves with the
> primary complaint being they made the mosquito problem worse.
> When he asked about the location of the mosquito traps it was
> mostly placed on the deck or patio. So, the traps were just
> attracting the mosquitos to the areas where people did not want
> them.
The location of the trap in the yard should make no difference - and I
would say that you want the trap to be located where you or other people
usually are in the yard - not in some distant, isolated corner.
The idea that wind is an issue is bogus. If it's too windy for the trap
to work then it's also too windy for a mosquito to find and land on me
as well.
It seems that these devices are good at attracting mosquitoes, but not
catching them.
If they attract more mosquitoes to their immediate area than would
ordinarily be there, and if they don't vacuum up 100% of those excess
mosquites AS WELL AS capture some of the ones that were already there,
then the devices are clearly not beneficial to have.
Rod Speed
> robb wrote:
>
>> My limited experience with the controversy stems from the
>> many factors that influence the effectiveness of the traps
>> (prevailing wind, landscaping, etc.)
>
>> When i purchased my traps the hardware guy offered me an
>> annecdote about how one year there was a run on their mosquito
>> trap inventory. The traps were returned in droves with the
>> primary complaint being they made the mosquito problem worse.
>> When he asked about the location of the mosquito traps it was
>> mostly placed on the deck or patio. So, the traps were just
>> attracting the mosquitos to the areas where people did not want
>> them.
> The location of the trap in the yard should make no difference
Wrong. You clearly dont want to be attracting mosquitos to where the humans are.
And since they work on CO2 and attractant, you
clearly will only attract mosquitos from downwind.
> - and I would say that you want the trap to be located
> where you or other people usually are in the yard -
You're wrong. That will attract mosquitos to that
area and if the trap doesnt get them into the trap
quickly, they will start biting the humans there.
> not in some distant, isolated corner.
> The idea that wind is an issue is bogus.
Like hell it is.
> If it's too windy for the trap to work then it's also too
> windy for a mosquito to find and land on me as well.
Light wind makes it harder for mosquitos to work
out where the CO2 and smells are coming from.
> It seems that these devices are good at
> attracting mosquitoes, but not catching them.
Doesnt explain why he ends up with lots of mosquitos in his
trap and far fewer in the parents' trap with an identical design.
> If they attract more mosquitoes to their immediate area than would
> ordinarily be there, and if they don't vacuum up 100% of those excess
> mosquites AS WELL AS capture some of the ones that were already
> there, then the devices are clearly not beneficial to have.
Yes, but clearly they do trap lots of mosquitos at his place.
Yard Guy
> > The location of the trap in the yard should make no difference
>
> Wrong. You clearly dont want to be attracting mosquitos to where
> the humans are.
I want the mosquitoes that ARE close to me to be attracted and captured
BY THE TRAP. That's not going to happen if the trap is 100 feet from me
in some isolated corner of the yard.
> And since they work on CO2 and attractant, you
> clearly will only attract mosquitos from downwind.
Wind shmind.
First you say that wind is bad for these traps to operate, now you say
that a downwind is necessary. Which one is it?
> > - and I would say that you want the trap to be located
> > where you or other people usually are in the yard -
>
> You're wrong. That will attract mosquitos to that area
Well guess what. Just me being there will attract mosquitos to that
area. So we're back to square one.
> and if the trap doesnt get them into the trap
> quickly, they will start biting the humans there.
That's the problem with these things. They seem to do a terrible job at
actually capturing them.
> > If it's too windy for the trap to work then it's also too
> > windy for a mosquito to find and land on me as well.
>
> Light wind makes it harder for mosquitos to work
> out where the CO2 and smells are coming from.
Again, your statements are contradictory.
- "you clearly will only attract mosquitos from downwind"
- "Light wind makes it harder for mosquitos to work out where
the CO2 and smells are coming from"
Can a "downwind" also be a "light wind"?
Real Pisser
"Yard Guy" <Ya...@Guy.com> wrote in message news:4A8CA903...@Guy.com...
When the Mosquito magnet was first out and very popular, they had an
interactive "video" on their web site. (in fact, they still do, as I just
found when I looked) that shows pretty much what Rod is saying.
http://support.mosquitomagnet.com/placement/start.html . The prevailing wind
direction, and the placement of the unit is critical to the success of its
operation. I tried mine everywhere I could think of, and it still only
catches less than 20 mosquitoes each night. It definitely must not be
placed where you hang out.
RP
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed wrote
>> Yard Guy wrote
>>> The location of the trap in the yard should make no difference
>> Wrong. You clearly dont want to be attracting
>> mosquitos to where the humans are.
> I want the mosquitoes that ARE close to me
> to be attracted and captured BY THE TRAP.
What I said in different words.
> That's not going to happen if the trap is 100 feet
> from me in some isolated corner of the yard.
Wrong if thats upwind of where you are.
>> And since they work on CO2 and attractant, you
>> clearly will only attract mosquitos from downwind.
> Wind shmind.
Wota stunningly rational line of argument you have there, child.
> First you say that wind is bad for these traps to operate,
No I didnt.
> now you say that a downwind is necessary.
I didnt say that either, particularly when its clam.
> Which one is it?
Neither.
>>> - and I would say that you want the trap to be located
>>> where you or other people usually are in the yard -
>> You're wrong. That will attract mosquitos to that area
> Well guess what. Just me being there will attract mosquitos to that area.
Not when the trap is more attractive to mosquitoes than the
humans are, because it puts out more CO2 than the humans do.
> So we're back to square one.
Wrong, as always.
>> and if the trap doesnt get them into the trap
>> quickly, they will start biting the humans there.
> That's the problem with these things.
Not with the counterflow traps that do get them quickly and you
havent been stupid enough to put them where the humans are.
> They seem to do a terrible job at actually capturing them.
They obviously dont if they catch a hell of a lot of mosquitos every night.
>>> If it's too windy for the trap to work then it's also too
>>> windy for a mosquito to find and land on me as well.
>> Light wind makes it harder for mosquitos to work
>> out where the CO2 and smells are coming from.
> Again, your statements are contradictory.
Nope.
> - "you clearly will only attract mosquitos from downwind"
Doesnt say anything about when its calm, stupid.
> - "Light wind makes it harder for mosquitos to work
> out where the CO2 and smells are coming from"
> Can a "downwind" also be a "light wind"?
Anyone with even half a clue realises that mosquotes
just arent a problem when its quite windy.
John
>
> - Show quoted text -
Have you considred building bat houses? Environmentally friendly,
affordable, and feuled by mosquitos... Bats eat a thousand mosquitos
a night, and are rumored to be much more effective than birds at
eliminating mosquitos (as they don't eat as many dragonflies). All
you need is a reliable water source for them and some cedar, and some
non-squeemish family members. Apperently they also eat some of those
grub-laying beetles that ruin you lawn.
John
Rod Speed
> Have you considred building bat houses? Environmentally
> friendly, affordable, and feuled by mosquitos...
Bats carry some pretty lethal diseases.
Yard Guy
> Have you considred building bat houses?
I've got nothing against bats, and wouldn't mind if there were bats
flying around my place at night (there might very well be - I don't know
- it's hard to see when it's dark out).
But it's a fallacy that bats eat lots of mosquitoes.
I have no doubt that in more tropical or sub-tropical areas, rural, lots
of standing water, marshes, etc, that there are clouds of mosquitoes
where the bats can just fly around with their mouths open and collect
dozens of mosquitoes in a single pass and repeat that several times a
minute for several hours.
But in the northern half of the US and southern Canada, in urban or even
suburban residential back yards, you're not going to have these dense
clouds of mosquites and large open flyways for the bats to swoop in with
their mouths open and collect them.
Individual mosquitoes are too small to be detected by the bat's
echo-location system, and a single mosquito wouldn't give the bat enough
calories to make the effort worth it.