Art Todesco wrote:
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.

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.