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.  Meanwhile, another global public-health threat proliferated virtually ignored: dengue fever. Forty years ago, the disease struck only nine countries; it is now endemic in more than 100. While the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that swine flu had killed 11,749 people as of December 2009, the WHO reported that “explosive outbreaks” of dengue hospitalized half a million people last year.  Globally, 2.5 billion people live in areas where dengue viruses can be transmitted. Dengue is carried 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. 

Because there are still no vaccines to protect against many mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend preventing the bite as the best protection and advise taking the following precautions:

• Wear long pants and shirts and spray exposed skin all over with insect repellents like DEET before leaving the house,
• Limit outdoor activity around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,
• Place mosquito netting over infant strollers and carriers,
• Keep bushes trimmed and grass mown around the home; and
• Use screens and mosquito netting to keep mosquitoes outside. 

Another way to reduce backyard biting incidences and the potential for disease transmission is to decrease the number of mosquitoes, using mosquito traps.  

The best mosquito traps employ a wide range of stimuli to attract mosquitoes.  This is an important factor in the case of daytime biters like the yellow fever and Asian tiger mosquitoes who rely not only on visual, but chemical and other cues to find their targets. 

Unfortunately there is no single solution that will rid you entirely of the little bloodsuckers.  Mosquitoes evolve over time to adapt to the climatic environment and against any chemicals used to control them, and the emergence of insecticide-resistant strains of mosquitoes has become an increasing problem worldwide.  However a good mosquito trap can be a pretty effective weapon to use in an open space like a backyard – because the best method of controlling mosquitoes is to stop them breeding. And two of the most effective methods of achieving this are:

(a)    removing all of their most popular breeding sites – standing water, however little, anywhere; and

(b)   daily trapping during the season – to interrupt breeding cycles, reducing mosquito populations.

So to keep the biters at bay, prevention is by far the best protection, wherever you live, because somewhere in the world it’s summer and those vampires of the insect world are out to get you.  While there’s no risk of turning into a vampire yourself overnight; it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to contract a serious, sometimes fatal disease.

“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. People should limit outdoor activity around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wear long pants and shirts and spray exposed skin all over with insect repellents like DEET before leaving the house and keep bushes trimmed and grass mown round the yard to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Another way to reduce biting incidences and the risk from disease is to decrease the number of mosquitoes using mosquito traps. EnviroSafe Technologies, manufacturer of Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps, engaged Professor Yap Han Heng from the Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia to advise on, and test trap designs in South East Asia. One of their primary objectives was to develop a trap which would attract and kill the Asian tiger mosquito.

What seems to make these traps particularly effective is that they employ a wide range of visual stimuli to attract mosquitoes. This is an important factor in the case of daytime biters like the yellow fever and Asian tiger mosquitoes who rely, not only on visual, but chemical cues, to find their targets.

Unfortunately there is no single solution that will rid you entirely of the little biters. However, a good mosquito trap looks like a pretty effective weapon to use in an open space like a back yard – because the most effective method of controlling mosquitoes seems to involve stopping them breeding. And two of the best ways of achieving this include:

(a) removing all of their most popular breeding sites – standing water, however little, anywhere; and
(b) daily trapping during the season – this will interrupt breeding cycles, reducing mosquito populations.

Global warming and climate change will mean an increase in overall temperatures and rainfall, which in turn means more mosquitoes. “You don’t need to be a scientist to work that out,” according to Mega-Catch™ general manager Michael Bremner. “Trap sales are up on the same period last year, in fact, existing customers are buying a second, or third trap in order to keep up with bumper mosquito crops,” says Bremner.

Few in the US would argue that the typical “mosquito season” appears longer than in previous years – mosquitoes are hatching earlier and staying around longer as the first frost is delayed. Given that mosquitoes remain active until temperatures drop below 50 degrees, ongoing precautions are essential. Because, just one bite is all it takes to transmit disease – and as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

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.

America’s Most Unwanted Species
Asian tiger mosquitoes, or Aedes albopictus , are very aggressive daytime biters and feed on a number of hosts, preferably human!   The female, when out looking for a blood meal will also target birds, domestic and wild animals.  With their ability to transmit debilitating, even deadly diseases with a single bite it’s no wonder they are considered such a health threat and regarded as the most significant nuisance mosquito worldwide.  Asian tiger mosquitoes are known disease-carriers or ‘vectors’ of Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever and Yellow fever to name a few – no wonder they’re  viewed as “America’s Most Unwanted” species. 

Easily identified by its distinctive white striped legs and body, the Asian tiger began it’s global voyage in Southeast Asia before winding up in the U.S. where it is thought to have entered the country at the Port of Houston  inside a shipment of used automobile tires.  It then spread out along the interstate highways, wherever tires were stored or dumped, laying its eggs in those round, sheltered rubberised cavities supplied by human beings, or in anything else that would hold water.  The species has thrived in both urban and suburban environments and the Tiger’s U.S. territory now includes the entire southeast, from the Gulf of Mexico across the south and more than halfway up the Atlantic coast. Officials believe the chances of eradicating it from the US are slim and the Asian Tiger mosquito now looks set to become a permanent fixture there.

To gain a better understanding of the species, the Center for Vector Biology (Rutgers University NJ, USA) organized and hosted the first “International Symposium on the Asian Tiger Mosquito” in February 2009, attracting 170 participants from 15 countries and 30 U.S. states.

The most effective method of controlling the Asian tiger is to stop them breeding.  This can be done by removing all their most popular beeeding sites – standing water, however little, anywhere – and daily trapping during the season which will interrupt breeding cycles, dramatically reducing mosquito populations and even the number of eggs hatching the following season.

Mega-Catch™ set out to build the best mosquito trap on the market; conducting extensive research and a worldwide testing program to achieve this.  One of the primary objectives was to develop a trap which would attract and capture the Asian tiger mosquito.  They engaged Professor Yap Han Heng from the Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia to advise on and test Mega-Catch™ trap designs in South East Asia.  Tests he conducted in a reserve forest at Minden Campus, Malaysia in the Penang Island concluded that Mega-Catch™ traps were effective against the Asian tiger mosquito in outdoor conditions in tropical environments.

Unlike conventional mosquito traps which rely on various chemicals to attract mosquitoes, Mega-Catch™ traps employ a wide range of visual stimuli to attract mosquitoes.  This is particularly important in the case of the Asian Tiger, which are aggressive, often attack in packs and unlike most mosquitoes, bite during the day.

Taming the Tiger
A new weapon, the Mega-Catch™ 3000 combo lure developed by and exclusive to Mega-Catch™ has just been released.  Designed to enhance trap performance and increase capture rates, the EPA approved combination lure incoporates synthetic Octenol, lactic acid and other ingredients specially formulated then blended to attract the Asian Tiger and other nuisance mosquitoes, sand flies, black flies and biting midges (no-see-ums).

Research conducted using traps baited with a combination of Octenol and lactic acid, record the capture of various mosquito species including the Asian Tiger was TWO to THREE times greater than traps baited with Octenol alone.