Propane-powered Mosquito Traps: What's the deal? Do they work?
John wrote:
On Aug 18, 8:44 am, 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
(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.
Have you considred building bat houses? Environmentally
friendly, affordable, and feuled by mosquitos...
Bats carry some pretty lethal diseases.
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.
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