EmailBest Reviewed
Mosquito Traps
- Most effective mosquito trap Mosquito Magnet Liberty *Est. $500
- Propane-alternative mosquito trap Mega-Catch Ultra *Est. $500
- Cordless mosquito trap SkeeterVac SV3100 *Est. $285
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Most effective mosquito trap
- Effective in tests
- Can use octenol or Lurex attractants
- Has been researched extensively
- Placement limited by electrical cord
- Propane and octenol need regular replacement
- Cost of operation can get expensive
- Many owners dissatisfied with durability
Tests show the Mosquito Magnet Liberty is effective, but its claim of one-acre coverage is wishful thinking. Its propane tank produces carbon dioxide (CO2), which simulates human breath and attracts mosquitoes while other options for attractants include octenol or Lurex. Lurex has been shown to attract the Asian tiger mosquitoes that are problematic in the southern United States. The Liberty is powered by electricity and comes with a 50-foot cord. If you'd rather not deal with a cord, or want more flexibility in placement of the mosquito trap, you may want to consider the cordless SkeeterVac SC3100 (*Est. $285), which also uses propane to produce CO2.
Credible researchers have tested the Mosquito Magnet line of products, but there are few traditional comparative rankings of multiple competing products. A study by the American Mosquito Control Association conducted over three years on an island in the Gulf of Mexico used Mosquito Magnet traps to good effect. We found positive coverage by the Journal of Medical Entomology, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and researchers in Florida and Maryland. User reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions.com show a common thread -- the most negative reviews come from longtime owners.
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Our Sources
1. Journal of Medical Entomology
Researchers measure the abundance and diversity of mosquito species captured by a Mosquito Magnet Pro (since discontinued), a Mosquito Magnet prototype and a CDC Miniature Light Trap in a wooded area of the Bronx Zoo. The Mosquito Magnets catch significantly more mosquitoes than the CDC trap does, but doesn't capture members of every species present.
Review: Effectiveness of Mosquito Traps in Measuring Species Abundance and Composition, Heidi Brown, et al., May 1, 2008
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA researchers test the ability of six mosquito traps in suburban Gainesville, Fla., to catch the Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger) mosquito: the Mosquito Magnet Pro, Mosquito Magnet Liberty and a prototype along with three non-commercial traps. Researchers find that significantly more mosquitoes are caught with the Mosquito Magnet traps than with any other type of trap.
Review: Response of Aedes Albopictus to Six Traps in Suburban Settings in North Central Florida, David Hoel, et al., Sept. 29, 2006
3. Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center, Florida A&M University
This study compares the performance of eight commercial traps. Both the Mega-Catch Ultra and the Mosquito Magnet Liberty capture 2.5 to three times more mosquitoes than the next-best trap. The Mosquito Magnet Liberty catches members of 16 species, the most of any trap.
Review: Comparison of Mosquito Species and Numbers Caught in Eight Commercial Mosquito Traps, J. P. Smith, J. Walsh and R. Huss, 2003
4. American Mosquito Control Association
In a study conducted on a Florida island in the Gulf of Mexico over a three-year period, a total of 21 Mosquito Magnet Pro traps were used to great effect. With the traps running 24 hours a day, the mosquito population was reportedly reduced so greatly that repellant was no longer needed. The study's author notes, however, that rain patterns on the island were also a contributing factor to this success.
Review: Traps and Trapping Techniques for Adult Mosquito Control, Daniel J. Kline, April 3, 2005
5. Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association
Researchers evaluate Mosquito Magnet mosquito traps for one month in a residential neighborhood in a marsh area. The Mosquito Magnet catches more than 91,000 mosquitoes from 18 species, and more than 2 million sand flies. The researchers did not test or rate any other traps.
Review: Mosquito Magnets as Barrier Treatments against Salt Marsh Mosquitoes around Residential Houses in Marsh Area, Rui-De Xue, Alex Santoro, Daniel Kline and Alan Grant, Feb. 17, 2005
6. American Mosquito Control Association
Researchers at Florida A&M University evaluate how effective a single Mosquito Magnet trap is in consistently reducing the biting midge population. Results indicate that midge reduction with the Mosquito Magnet is variable and inconsistent, compared with the control sample.
Review: The Effectiveness of the Mosquito Magnet Trap for Reducing Biting Midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Populations in Coastal Reside, J. E. Cilek and C. F. Hallmon, June 21, 2005
7. Maryland Department of Agriculture
This article criticizes "bug zapper" electrocuting devices and references a 2001 study in which Mosquito Magnet's claim to be an effective means of mosquito control "could not be corroborated." Researchers find the Mosquito Magnet to be a good tool in collecting samples for surveillance, however.
Review: Mosquito Control Program Description, Researchers at the Maryland Department of Agriculture
8. Amazon.com
More than 80 owner reviews give the Mosquito Magnet Liberty a below-average score, with negative reviews outweighing the positive. Among the complaints are that it dies after one season, doesn't catch many mosquitoes and is expensive to run.
Review: Mosquito Magnet Liberty Mosquito Trap MM3000, Contributors to Amazon.com
9. Epinions.com
More than 50 user reviews at Epinions.com of the Mosquito Magnet Liberty and Defender models give each an average rating of two out of five stars. Many reviewers criticize them as expensive and unreliable.
Review: Untitled, Contributors to Epinions.com
