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Mosquito Trap

Mosquitoes have always constituted a nuisance to people let alone being a health risk. Their contribution by way of itchy bites, spread of diseases such as Malaria and Zika virus, is a cause for concern in tropical regions, and during the warm periods in temperate climates.  

Many mosquito species bite not only humans but also animals as dogs, horses, birds etc..

Female mosquitoes require blood to reproduce.  They fly up to 25 feet high off the ground and use several types of sensing mechanisms. They have a great sense of smell but very poor visibility. They can smell people from 100 feet (30 m) away, but they can't see until they are within 30 feet (10 m) of their target. Humans exhale carbon dioxide and these insects "smell" carbon dioxide to locate a host. Water vapour, and heat that result from breathing are also the other known major attractants of mosquitos.  At very close range, mosquitoes and biting flies may use the odour of animal sweat which contains the chemical octenol and some other compounds which constitute the body odour.

There are a number of ways to either repel mosquitoes or trap mosquitoes. Mosquito traps unlike repellents, are designed to attract, trap and then kill mosquitoes. They lure mosquitoes using carbon dioxide (CO2), heat, moisture, LED lights, chemical attractants or a combination of these enticements. Once mosquitoes approach a trap, they are then captured by a vacuum mechanism or sticky paper. The insects subsequently die of dehydration in the trap.  

LPG/ Propane mosquito traps have been around for some time and have gained popularity in areas such as the aviation industry and sport complexes. They are reliable and effective devices, that can cause an interrupt the breeding cycle of mosquitoes, thereby reducing mosquito populations.

Features

The main design feature of most mosquito traps is the use of LPG/propane fuel, which is combusted to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor and heat (in a device that looks like a one-burner gas grill). Many traps use artificial octenol lures that should be replaced on schedule and a UV light source may be installed as well.

The main features of an LPG/propane mosquito trap system include:
LPG/Propane:  Mosquito traps use LPG/Propane fuel, which in the presence of oxygen, burns to produce water and CO2

Some modern mosquito traps put an interesting twist on the burning process. Instead of a flame, they burn the LPG/Propane catalytically, using the same idea as that used in the catalytic converter in a car. The gas release systems are designed to replicate a key element of human/animal respiration, by releasing quantities of pure CO2 at varying rates over fixed intervals.

Octenol: 1-Octen-3-ol, or octenol for short, is a chemical that attracts mosquitoes and biting insects.  Octenol is produced by several plants and fungi and is FDA approved as a food additive. 

Models such as the Green Gear Predator, offer the additional features such as:

  • A variety of modes in order to optimize for the flight altitude of different flying insects (Migde & Gnat Mode, Mosquito Mode as well as an Asian Tiger Mode)
  • A range of interchangeable chemical lures/attractants to specifically target mosquitoes, blood-sucking insects, midges, culex mosquitoes, and ferocious Asian Tiger mosquito.   
  •  Specially designed high contrast adhesive sticky paper which reinforces the traps appeal to biting insects.

Benefits

  • The use of LPG/Propane which is a readily available and affordable fuel source
  • Mosquito traps work around the clock to attract and capture mosquito and midge species
  • They catch female mosquitoes before their eggs are laid, thus quickly exterminating entire mosquito populations
  • They radically reduce mosquito populations in very large areas of space (up to 5000m2).  Optimal results observed after 4-6 weeks.
  • UV light features attract insects in full 360o view.

Manufacturers (1) and Resources