Mosquito Traps - DIY Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on earth, responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other one single thing. The World Health Organization reports between 350-500 million cases of malaria infection, causing an estimated 1 - 3 million deaths every year. Malaria is even returning to areas of the world from which it had been eradicated and is spreading to new areas like Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Now health experts and entomologists worldwide are warning of the effect global warming will have on the increase and spread of mosquito populations and the diseases they carry. Notable rises in other mosquito diseases like Dengue fever, Chikungunya fever and West Nile Virus have been recorded in Italy, Australia and the U.S.

Of most concern to those living in the United States is West Nile virus which has now spread to 48 states including Washington DC.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) provides information on West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. www.cdc/gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/

As new information emerges about the diseases they carry, their growing resistance to insecticides, and their increasing numbers, the mosquito, once nothing more than a seasonal annoyance is capturing headlines around the world.

BILL GATES RELEASES MOSQUITOES INTO AUDIENCE

The Bill & Melinda Gates foundation recently announced a $169 million grant to develop a vaccine for the deadly disease (there's currently no effective vaccine against malaria). And while giving a presentation on malaria, Bill Gates opened a jar of mosquitoes at the Technology, Entertainment & Design Conference 2009, and released them into the room. "Not only poor people should experience this", he said.

Some consolation for those present and bitten - his press office later confirmed that the insects released WERE NOT CARRYING MALARIA.

The American public is now bombarded weekly with health advisories concerning mosquitoes. Combined with on-going anti-pesticide sentiment, the number of companies manufacturing mosquito traps has increased dramatically in the last few years. The big benefit of mosquito traps is that they actually reduce mosquito populations around the home, not just repel them. While they won't permanently eliminate mosquitoes, they interrupt the breeding cycle of the female mosquito and eliminate and help control mosquito infestation in the long term.

Bug Zappers are not to be confused with the real deal - the mosquito trap. They use light and heat to attract insects where they come in contact with an electrical charge that electrocutes them. They are effective at killing insects and bugs, but are known to actually kill more beneficial insects than they do mosquitoes.

They've been around for years and don't have the same technology or effectiveness as the new generation mosquito trap.

Positive and negative feedback abounds for the different mosquito traps available. Do some research first and work out from there what you want and need. They all work on the same principle though - attract the mosquito to the trap where it's then captured then killed. Most traps use propane (or LPG) which is combusted to produce CO2, water vapour and heat to attract mosquitoes. Electric traps are an alternative to propane and they use a combination of light, shape, heat, movement and color to attract mosquitoes. Most manufacturers have their own websites but check out the independant review sites first. i.e. amazon, consumer search etc.

The size of your property will determine what type of trap and how many- you may need more than one. Check the advertised coverage area and don't buy a trap that only covers up to half an acre when your property is 1.5 acres. Another factor in the equation is the number and location of mosquito breeding sites.

Make a Checklist:

• How safe - Propane traps are generally considered more of a risk because of leaking propane which can be a potential fire hazard. Over 130,000 propane traps were recalled in 2002 because of this problem.
• Reliability and Maintenance. Generally propane traps are more prone to start-up problems, burnout and blockages. They are more costly to maintain and repair.
• Proof it works. Do the traps do live up to the advertizing claims of the manufacturers and is it backed up with solid evidence. A comparison test of 8 commercially available traps by independent experts J P Smith, J S Walsh and R Huss is available at www.pherec.org/DECS/trapping/AMCA%202003%20Trap%20Poster%20Presentation.ppt
• Price is a consideration and some of the smaller models start at only $99. However these are generally for small gardens or patios. It's essentially true you get what you pay for - the more expensive models usually have more features and a greater coverage area.
• What features does it have? Traps that have programable timers which can be set to come on during hours that mosquitoes are most active are more cost effective and cheaper to run than traps that need to operate 24/7.

Right location!  Where you place your trap will govern just how successful you are with your mosquito control programme. To maximize capture rates you need to place the trap upwind of mosquito breeding sites, and as most mosquito species avoid direct sunlight; shaded, sheltered areas - preferably amongst bushes, shrubs and near any wetland areas.

Close to or amongst flowering plants that provide nectar is another ideal site.

If your catch rate is low, try out different locations as mosquito breeding sites may vary during the season. Experiment and determine the most successful placement for your trap.

Different mosquito species (and there's more than 3500) respond in different ways and there are so many variations in their behaviors and in the things that attract and repel them. The Use of Octenol lures, or attractants as they're commonly referred to, in traps can significantly increase catch and kill rates for some species but not others. So depending on the variety in your neighborhood, a bit of experimentation may be necessary to work out whether to use the baits or not. Combination lures like the newly released Mega-Catch 3000 combo lure, are advertized as attracting a wider range of mosquito species, including the Asian Tiger (Aedes Albopictus)- an aggressive and hard to catch daytime biter that's also a carrier of the dreaded West Nile Virus.

Mosquito traps are a valuable research tool used by entomologists and mosquito control agencies worldwide for trapping and surveillance purpose. They are also recognized as important in the fight to reduce and eliminate mosquito populations everywhere and not just around the home. As mosquito traps have improved with technology and their effectiveness at catching mosquitoes proven, the application for the use of mosquito traps has increased. 

Mosquito traps are now commonly used by various establishments like daycare centres, restaurants, resorts, kennels and horse stables.  Even Zoos! When sifting through website testimonials for mosquito traps I found an anecdote from a woman who'd seen them at the elephant enclosure at the Santa Barbara Zoo. She said the mosquitoes were more attracted to the traps than the elephants.

Because of their effectiveness and long life a good mosquito trap (or traps) is a worthwhile investment, especially when you use them in conjunction with other sensible control measures promoted by organizations like the American Mosquito Control Association www.mosquito.org

However there is a huge difference in the cost, quality and effectiveness of different brands of traps, and independent consumer reviews are helpful to use as a guide - sites like Amazon and www.consumersearch.com/mosquito-traps as well as a number of other articles on the hub www.hubpages.com/hub/Mosquito-Traps are worth a visit.

Happy Trapping!