Mosquito Traps 101

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” Benjamin Franklin

Male mosquitoes do not bite. The real risk is from female mosquitoes who bite when in search of blood to provide protein for their eggs. Scientific research over the past 50 years has shown that female mosquitoes find their prey using a combination of sensory cues including light, shape, color, heat, vibration, sweat and other by-products of human activity. Using that research and with the benefit of extensive field testing (including tests by the United States Department of Agriculture in Gainesville, Florida EnviroSafe Technologies NZ Ltd has developed one of the world’s most advanced mosquito traps: the Mega-Catch™ ULTRA mosquito trap While traps won’t permanently eliminate mosquitoes in the area, and no responsible manufacturer should claim otherwise, they are an effective tool, known to interrupt the breeding cycle thereby significantly decreasing mosquito numbers.

There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide and about 200 species occur in the U.S.  Each species is unique and each is attracted by different combinations of sensory stimuli including different spectral frequencies and different by-products of human/animal activity like perspiration.  Research has shown that even miniscule changes in the concentration of these stimuli can have an impact on catch rates.  In almost all cases it is important that stimuli fluctuate rather than be static in order to mimic human activity.

Evolving Technology
Mega-Catch’s™ PRO 900 Series Mosquito Traps have been specifically designed with all these considerations in mind.  Combining proven performance, ground breaking features plus Mega-Catch’s™ patented technology, the PRO 900 Series represents a dramatic increase in trap capabilities.  With the addition of a brand new model, the PREMIER XC, there are now four traps included in the PRO 900 Series line up.  

Technical Advancements
The latest mosquito control technology at the touch of a button!  The Mega-Catch™ PREMIER XC Mosquito Trap, or so called ‘transformer trap’ can attract mosquitoes and other biting insects from as far away as 120 feet. 

Both safe and effective, this state of the art machine employs a sophisticated infrared energy source combined with an integrated LED lighting display, which produces light in the visible and invisible spectrum at oscillating frequencies known to attract most mosquito species.  The XC can be further enhanced with the use of optional attractants; the Mega-Catch™ Octenol fragrance strip, or the Mega-Catch™ 3000 combination lure.  The combination lure, developed by Mega-Catch™ and released in 2010, was specifically formulated to increase capture rates of nuisance mosquitoes including the invasive, disease carrying, Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).

Read more…

Scientifically and independently tested around the world, Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps have consistently outperformed other brands.

Sparked by the emergence of diseases in the U.S. like West Nile Virus and Dengue, consumer demand for mosquito control devices has increased along with the number of companies manufacturing mosquito traps.  Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps have some impressive customer feedback, but even more convincing are the test results.

Mega-Catch™ in Malaysia

Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps were developed after an extensive worldwide testing program.  In early 2000 Professor Yap Han Heng from the Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia was engaged to advise on and test Mega-Catch™ trap designs in South East Asia. One of the primary objectives was to develop a trap which would attract and capture the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a voracious daytime biter and vector of over 30 arboviruses including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Dengue fever.  Tests carried out in a reserve forest at Minden Campus, University Sains Malaysia in the Penang Island led Professor Yap Heng to conclude that Mega-Catch™ was effective against the Asian tiger mosquito in outdoor  conditions in tropical environments.

Mega-Catch™ in the U.S.

1.Mega-Catch™ out-catches Mosquito Magnet® Pro and Mosquito Magnet® Residential

In 2001 the Mega-Catch™ ULTRA and Mosquito Magnet® Pro and Residential traps were put to the test in central Florida by USDA research entomologist Dr Daniel Kline.  The test was conducted over about three weeks at three different locations; a laboratory, a yard in a residential neighborhood and in a wildlife refuge. The catch varied by location, but the overall result was that the Mega-Catch™ trap captured about twice the number of Aedes aegypti – the yellow fever mosquito – and a larger general variety of other mosquitoes than did the Mosquito Magnet®. Read more…

Mosquitoes = Misery.  Few insects can ruin a pleasant evening outdoors as quickly or completely as mosquitoes.  First, that incessant whine, the prelude to an attack, sets in around your ears. Then, you start to feel the hot pinprick of mosquito bites at ankle and arm, one after another, until the itch sets in and you can’t take any more.

It’s enough to send you storming inside.  And the worst part is that mosquito bites just don’t disappear immediately and you’re left with ugly red bumps that swell and itch, no matter how fiercely you scratch (and you know you shouldn’t), for the rest of the night.

The way mosquito experts tell it, these pests have been a plague on man since Jurassic times and to date we still haven’t found a way to completely rid ourselves of them or their annoying bites.

However, there are things you can do to prevent mosquito bites and treat the allergic Read more…

How the Beat the Bite!

It’s summer and time to get out into the garden and deal to those pests that are attacking your prized plants and crops.  But what about the pests that attack you?  Yes, that’s right mosquitoes!  Unfortunately along with summer comes the buzz AND bite of mosquitoes – and usually in large numbers.  While male mosquitoes are actually sensitive vegetarians, living on nectar and plant juices; beware the female mosquito – she’s after your blood.

Female mosquitoes need the protein found in blood to develop their eggs, and they love to feed on warm blooded creatures, especially humans.  Selecting their next meal is relatively easy for these bloodthirsty biters who use receptors to spot movement, and can detect the smell of CO2 in a person’s breath from as far away as 50 meters.  Activities like gardening that make us sweat and breathe more heavily also make us prime targets. Read more…

Not every kind of mosquito carries every kind of disease, however a single bite from the right mosquito at the right time, and you’re infected.  Prevention…the best protection!  Because according to University of Florida entomologist Jerry Butler, “By reducing the feeding rates just a little, you reduce the probability of transmission of diseases greatly“. 

Mosquitoes love to feed on humans, and selecting their next meal is relatively easy for these high tech hunters with compound eyes capable of spotting the slightest movements and receptors so sensitive, they can detect the smell of CO2 in a person’s breath from as far away as 400 meters.  Lucky for us, those same abilities also tend to lead them straight into mosquito traps. Read more…

Thanks to Dracula, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight, vampires are hot and popular.  However there is one little bloodsucker that will never be welcome; our old foe and original vampire – the mosquito! 

In the animal world, blood-feeding insects and mammals really do exist. Many insects like ticks and fleas as well as mosquitoes, feed on blood. Protein, the building blocks of all cells, is found in blood, and it is the protein in blood that mosquitoes require before they can produce and lay a batch of eggs.

However, human beings are not the only blood hosts that mosquitoes attack. These bloodthirsty insects are also known to feed on horses, cows, cats and dogs, as well as birds, lizards, fish, bats and even caterpillars for a blood meal. 

While mosquito bites are typically just itchy and annoying, it’s the potential to make us sick we fear the most. Mosquito-borne diseases are among the world’s leading causes of illness and death today. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 300 million clinical cases each year are attributable to mosquito-borne illnesses. Some of the more deadly diseases include; malaria, West Nile virus, chikungunya fever and dengue fever.   In countries where disease is rampant, mosquitoes are regarded as public enemy Number One.

Global warming, climate change and international air travel have all aided and abetted the mosquitoes’ global march and triggered a worldwide outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases. “Many diseases are ‘highly sensitive’ to climates and climate temperatures, and malaria and dengue fever can be expected to spread to new areas.”  John Holmes, the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and disaster relief told WorldNetDaily, (Dec.17 2009).

In 2009 the threat of swine flu sparked a panic and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic.  Read more…

“When talking about climate change, we are not talking about something which is a future threat. We are not talking about something which may or may not happen in 50 years time, or 20 years time. We are talking about something which is happening now in terms of the effects of climate change on peoples’ lives now…” John Holmes, the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and disaster relief told WorldNetDaily, (Dec.17 2009).

Climate is an important factor in all sorts of things that our health depends on. The Global Humanitarian Forum claims that 300,000 people are already dying each year because of climate change induced malnutrition, diarrhea and malaria as well as extreme weather events. Rice yields are known to decline by 10 percent for each additional 1 degree celsius rise in temperature, and salmonella bacteria like hotter weather as do mosquitoes.

Predictions are that hotter summers and milder winters will lead to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases. “Many diseases are ‘highly sensitive’ to climates and climate temperatures, and malaria and dengue fever can be expected to spread to new areas.” says Holmes.

Dengue fever occurs mostly in tropical and subtropical countries in Asia and Latin America but also affects countries like Australia (Queensland) and the United States (Puerto Rico, Texas-Mexico border, Hawaii and the US-affiliated Pacific Islands). In 2008 and 2009, severe dengue epidemics were reported in Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. And in early 2009, Queensland experienced its worst dengue outbreak in 50 years with more than 1000 people infected and one woman killed. The spread throughout regional cities including Cairns and Townsville was so rampant, experts held a dengue summit, summoning experts from all over the world.

Dengue is spread by two mosquito species; the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). Both these mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and lay their eggs on the sides of any water-filled containers. However the Asian tiger is more cold-tolerant than Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and can spread more easily. The Asian tiger mosquito is a disease bearer or ‘vector’ of over 30 arboviruses including West Nile virus, various strains of encephalitis and Chikungunya fever, making it the most significant nuisance mosquito worldwide.

Because there are still no vaccines to protect against many mosquito-borne diseases, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advise that preventing the bite is the best protection. Read more…

The Mega-Catch™ 3000 combo lure has been developed to provide even better capture rates of targeted species like the Asian Tiger, a vicious day-time biter, and recognized laboratory vector of over 30 arboviruses including West Nile virus and Dengue fever.

Testimonial
“Just wanted to update you; the Mega-Catch™ 3000 seemed to get about 50% more than with no lure.  Thanks for all your help & this ultra mosquito catcher is the BEST – it works REALLY well…thanks again”.
Ron Jones,
SC. USA.

University of Florida mosquito researchers are watching with a wary eye as dengue makes a return to the state after more than 50 years. Twenty cases of locally transmitted dengue have already been confirmed in Key West.  And Monroe County officials have issued a health alert and launched an education campaign urging residents to eliminate water sources in and around their homes where mosquitoes can breed.

 The last big dengue epidemic in Florida in 1934 left more than 25,000 Floridians ill, which is why health officials are currently urging residents to take appropriate precautions now. 

Read more about home  mosquito control and how to get  rid of those possible breeding sites to avoid a yard full of biting insects and reduce the risk from the diseases they carry.

Find out how to treat the bite as well as what  to do to reduce the number of biting incidences and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases for you and your family.

PREVENTION:

Start by devising an effective DIY mosquito control program which incorporates a proven trapping system to reduce mosquito numbers, personal protection in the form of repellents, and a proactive approach to reducing and eliminating mosquito breeding sites around your property.

Elimination
The first step in reducing mosquitoes on your property is to identify and eliminate all sources of standing water including low spots, ditches, and gutters. 

Mosquitoes will breed in anything that holds water, including many everyday items such as a child’s toy, plant saucers, buckets, garbage can lids and pet food dishes.  All easily overlooked items!  

During the day, mosquitoes love to rest in tall grass or amongst shrubs in a moist, shady spot. Keeping the grass short and bushes trimmed deprives them of a resting place. Rake up any fallen leaves as well.   An overturned leaf can hold enough water for a mosquito’s eggs, as well as give them a place to wait out the day.

Trapping
Let science help solve your mosquito problems.  Today’s mosquito traps are smaller, more effective and surprisingly affordable!  A consumer favorite, the Mega Catch™ Ultra has outperformed many competing traps in independent tests, thanks to its unique, propane-free, CO₂ system.   Combining proven mosquito-attracting science in a simple to operate, user friendly design the Ultra gives coverage of up to 1.5 acres and is designed to operate with or without Mega-Catch’s™ patented ‘Variable Quantity Slow CO₂ Gas Release System’. 

The optional CO₂ system has been designed to enhance trap performance by increasing the range and capture rates (by as much as 300-400%) of a wider variety of mosquito species and other biting insects.
                    
Repellents
Bear in mind that repellents do not protect all users equally. The effectiveness of a repellent depends on the mosquito species that is biting as well as the age, sex, level of activity, and attractiveness (to mosquitoes that is) of the human using the repellent.

In general, mosquito repellents work by masking the chemical cues that invite mosquitoes to dine.  Read more…