Mosquito Traps

Researchers measure the abundance and diversity of mosquito species captured by a Mosquito Magnet Pro, a Mosquito Magnet prototype and a CDC Miniature Light Trap in an area of the Bronx Zoo. The Mosquito… Magnets catch significantly more mosquitoes than the CDC trap does, but does not capture members of every species of mosquito present. The authors of the study conclude that when evaluating mosquito traps, researchers should not look only at how many mosquitoes are caught, since this number "may not accurately reflect the abundance or the real range of mosquito species that are present."

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This study conducted at Florida A&M University's Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center compares seven commercial traps and one experimental trap. Each trap ran for a total of 24 days, three… times each at eight locations in the summer and fall of 2002. Both the Mega-Catch Ultra and the Mosquito Magnet Liberty capture up to three times more mosquitoes than the next-best trap, the Lentek Mosquito Trap. The Mosquito Magnet Liberty catches members of 16 different species, the greatest number of any trap, while the Mega-Catch captures members of 12 species.

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This informative article explores mosquito biology, surveillance methods and control options. It criticizes electrocuting devices such as bug zappers and Citrosa plants as ineffective for mosquito control.… The article references a 2001 study conducted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture 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.

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The Mosquito Magnet Liberty earns a below-average rating from more than 80 reviewers. Several owners complain that the unit stopped working after a few months. The SkeeterVac SV3100 is rated four out of… five stars by over 10 users. One user reports that he has used Mosquito Magnets in the past and that they attracted and killed more mosquitoes than the SkeeterVac does, but lasted only one season at most. The Mega-Catch Premier and Ultra models get above-average ratings.

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Researchers evaluate propane-powered traps over three years to manage salt marsh mosquitoes in the Gulf of Mexico. Twenty-one Mosquito Magnet Pro mosquito traps were operated continuously, significantly… reducing the population to the point where even a repellent wasn't needed. The author notes, however, that "rainfall patterns did have an important influence" on the prevalence of mosquitoes. The test does not compare or rate the Mosquito Magnet Pro against other models.

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Researchers test lactic acid, a key attractant compound from human skin, alone and in combination with ammonia and caproic acid (a fatty acid) against four mosquito populations of distinct geographic origin… (Australia, Brazil, Singapore and the United States). Results indicate behavioral variability among the populations as to their attraction to individual odors and odor combinations. For instance, while all four populations are attracted to lactic acid, the U.S. population is the most sensitive. Trap development may require some specialization depending on the region of origin, the researchers conclude. The article does not give recommendations for specific traps.

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In this conversational article about the popularity of mosquito traps amid fears of West Nile Virus, writer Michelle Andrews describes the Mosquito Magnet trapping technology in depth, as well as mentioning… other models offered by American Biophysics Corporation. She references a 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) test that found that the Mosquito Magnet Pro killed more mosquitoes overnight than either the Mosquito Magnet Liberty or Coleman's Mosquito Deleto. She dismisses bug zappers and foggers, explaining that they kill everything, including harmless bugs. Andrews quotes USDA researcher Daniel Kline, who mentions favorably Blue Rhino's SkeeterVac as well as the Mosquito Magnet traps, based on initial testing. She does not conduct her own comparative tests.

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Researchers at Florida A&M University evaluate how effective single Mosquito Magnet traps are in consistently reducing the biting midge population in a coastal Florida residential neighborhood. Mosquito… Magnet traps are set up in five backyards, compared to three control backyards, with weekly samples collected. Results indicate that midge reduction is variable and inconsistent with the Mosquito Magnets compared to the control sample. No other models are discussed and there are no ratings.

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