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.

However any effective mosquito control program should first start with a thorough inspection of the potential battlefield; your yard!   Check for and eliminate any standing water anywhere, in both the obvious and not so obvious places.

1. Eliminate Breeding Sites
If it can hold water for more than a few days, it can breed mosquitoes, and female mosquitoes can lay their eggs in as little as an inch of water. Just one mosquito can produce 1,200 young and a five-gallon bucket of water has the potential to produce enough mosquitoes to invade an entire city block in a residential community.

• Toys – Make sure the kids pick up after themselves, rain will fill toy trucks, teacup sets, even frisbees left lying in the grass. The same for old-fashioned tire swings, which collect stagnating rainwater, or any old tire left laying in the yard.
• Tarps – Any kind of plastic or nylon cover, whether it is draped over a stack of firewood or a boat, will eventually begin to sag and develop pockets where water can collect. Tighten them where you can and check them frequently.
• Yard equipment – An upright wheelbarrow, an empty flowerpot, even an abandoned shovel or spade can hold water long enough to develop mosquito larvae. Store equipment inside, or turn it over so that rain will run off.
• Birdbaths and paddling pools – Take a hose to the birdbath at least once a week during warm weather to keep the water from stagnating. Turn the kids’ pool over and stand it up against a wall when they aren’t using it. If you have a swimming pool, make sure you clean and service it regularly.
• Puddles – If you have low spots in the yard where water gathers and is slow to drain and  the water stands for more than a week at a time, you’ll get mosquitoes.  Fill in the spots, install drainage pipes, or change the landscaping to keep the water away.
• Rain gutters – Water can back up and become stagnant when the gutters get clogged with debris.  Check the gutters regularly, especially after heavy leaf fall. Also, keep the yard raked. Overturned leaves hold water, and mosquitoes love to breed in them as well.

During the day mosquitoes like to rest in warm, moist vegetation so make sure you keep the grass mown and the bushes trimmed.

2. Personal Protection
When you do go outside, try to keep as much of your skin covered as possible by wearing long sleeves and long pants.  Avoid dark or bright colors that will attract the attention of mosquitoes, and use an effective insect repellent.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using products that have been shown to work in scientific trials and that contain active ingredients which have been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as insect repellents on skin or clothing.  When the EPA registers a repellent, they evaluate the product for efficacy and potential effects on human beings and the environment.

Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, the CDC believes that two have demonstrated a higher degree of effectiveness. Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:

• DEET
• Picaridin

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), a plant-based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

3. Border Control
Before your purchase, compare mosquito traps to find out the best trap for you and your particular situation.  Mosquito traps function best when set up around the perimeter of a yard, attracting mosquitoes towards them, and away from human activity.  Never put mosquito traps near people because that just draws the mosquitoes toward their targets.  Position upwind, in a shaded area (mosquitoes avoid the sun) between the source of the mosquitoes and where people gather i.e. decks and patios.

Mega-Catch™ make some of best mosquito traps on the market.   They work by mimicking the smell and sight of prey, fooling mosquitoes into sensing a blood meal close at hand.  When mosquitoes get near, powerful fans sweep them into the trap’s catch container.  Once in, they can’t get out, and the mosquitoes die.

While these mosquito machines by themselves won’t make your mosquito problem disappear altogether, they can be an integral part in helping make your backyard a safer, more enjoyable space over summer.

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.

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.  For over 50 years scientists believed that DEET worked by inhibiting signals from the mosquitoes’ antennae making it hard for them to find their target.  However researchers at the University of California Davis have since discovered that mosquitoes actually smell DEET and stay away from it.  Walter Leal Professor of entomology UC Davis concluded that DEET doesn’t mask the smell of the host or jam the insect’s senses – mosquitoes simply don’t like it because it smells bad to them.

Despite rumors and anecdotes of everything from banana peels to garlic tablets warding off mosquitoes, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend only three types of repellents for safe and effective use:

1.         DEET
2.         PICARIDIN by Bayer (marketed as CUTTER ADVANCED)
3.         OIL OF LEMON EUCALYPTUS (marketed as Repel)

TREATMENT:

It’s not possible to eliminate every single mosquito. So if you are unlucky enough to get bitten by a rogue mosquito, whatever you do, don’t scratch the bite – no matter how good it feels.  It can take up to two days before the itchy bump or wheal appears, and scratching it will just break the skin which could lead to infection. Wash with soap, run cool water over the bite, and be guided by the experts.

- Calamine lotion or Caladryl.  A combination of zinc and iron oxides reported to have a soothing effect on itchy skin. Caladryl also contains a mild topical analgesic for pain.

- Icepacks.  The cold constricts the blood vessels, which helps reduce the swelling, and numbs the skin to lessen the discomfort.

- Ibuprofen or hydrocortisone cream.  Both will work to reduce swelling, and hydrocortisone also is widely used to soothe itching.

- Anti-histamines.  Any over-the-counter medication such as Benadryl should help the itching to subside

Some people, although this is rare, can have a serious reaction to mosquito bites, which results in swelling in the throat, significant hives and wheezing. This life-threatening condition (anaphylaxis) requires immediate medical attention.

You CAN help reduce the number of biting incidences for everyone (pets included!)  with an effective DIY mosquito control program.  As they say, prevention is the best protection.

A. Mosquitoes, like all insects, are cold-blooded creatures. As a result, they are incapable of regulating body heat and their temperature is dependent upon their surroundings. Mosquitoes are known to function best at 80^o F, become lethargic at 60^o F and cannot  function below 50^o F.  Not all mosquitoes die from the cold and over-winter in various guises: 

• Some species of mosquitoes overwinter as adult females in a state of diapause (a hibernation-like state of arrested development), hiding out in barns, tree holes, basements, attics, etc. anywhere they can get out of the wind. 
  Typically, the female mosquito mates before the onset of winter, refusing to take a blood meal, instead feeding only on sugar.  Their ovaries stop working, so their eggs will not mature.  And they store plenty of fat to sustain them over winter. In spring when the temperatures rise, the female emerges from hibernation, seeks out a blood meal and lays the eggs that produce the next generation of adults.
• Certain mosquito species lay winter hardy eggs able to survive extreme weather, such as cold, ice, and drought.  Typically in late summer or fall, the female lays her eggs in areas where the ground is moist.  In spring, when temperatures begin to rise and moisture is produced by spring rains and melting snow and ice, these eggs will hatch, progressing through larval, pupal, and finally adult stages to begin the cycle all over again.
• And other species of mosquitoes can survive winter in the larval stage.  All mosquito larvae require water, even in winter.  As the water temperature drops, it induces a state of diapause in the mosquito larvae. Development only resumes when the water warms up again.

Winter Mosquito Control
Winter is a great time to institute some DIY home mosquito control.  We all know mosquitoes need still, stagnant water to breed.   It doesn’t take much, an inch or two that has collected in a child’s toy, a flowerpot, an old tire.  So by draining containers around the home you can disrupt this process and reduce or eliminate mosquitoes and the potential for disease transmission.  Mosquito control agencies have their winter programs too. They clean out ditches and streams, allowing the water to flow, which discourages and eliminates mosquitoes breeding in areas for extended periods of time without the use of pesticides.

Winterize Your Mosquito Trap
In the warm and humid climates of the Southeast and Gulf Coast, mosquitoes can thrive all year round, making ongoing precautions essential.  The Mosquito Activity Forecast from weather.com is a useful tool, as it predicts just how active mosquitoes in your area are, based on a variety of weather and time-related factors.

However, once temperatures in your area begin averaging below 50°F  it’s safe to store your Mega-Catch™ trap away for the winter. 
Instructions:

1. Turn off your Mega-Catch™ Trap and disconnect the power cable
2. Turn off and disconnect the regulator from the C02 cylinder. (Ultra)  To ensure that insects don’t nest in your C02 system during the off-season place the regulator in a sealed bag, and place some electrical tape or similar over the end of the gas line (attached to the rear of the trap)
3. Remove the skirt (Ultra & Premier) and wipe down the outside of the trap with clean soapy water and a damp cloth. 
4. Open your trap (Ultra & Premier) and again, using warm soapy water, clean the internal plates, heated reflective surface and fan, then allow todry thoroughly.  (step by step guide in the Operation manual or download from http://www.megacatch.com/manuals.html)
5. Using a small sponge or toothbrush and warm soapy water, reach into the trap (Alpha) and carefully clean the inside casing of the fan and fan blades
6. Remove and discard any opened attractant lures – they’re only effective for 30 days
7. Remove and clean the mesh catch bag – pollen, dust and dirt can prohibit airflow and prevent your trap from working efficiently.  If the catch bag is torn or damaged in any way, remove and discard. Start next season with a fresh mesh bag
8. To extend the life of your trap, store it in a garage or shed, protected from the elements and extreme cold
9. Mid-way through winter, turn on your trap and let it run for a day.  This will keep the timer battery charged (Ultra & Premier) and the fan moving  (Alpha, Ultra & Premier) 

With a little bit of maintenance now, you can ensure a trouble-free start next spring, with a trap in peak condition, primed for any mosquito mayhem.  Because mosquitoes that were infected with say West Nile Virus before they went into ‘hibernation’ will still have the virus when they emerge – all loaded up and ready to go!

Mosquitoes love your family and your pets

The FDA has traditionally advised keeping your pet indoors around dawn and dusk, because that’s when many mosquito species feed. However that advice is no longer enough to protect your pet. The Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an aggressive daytime biter and it carries both West Nile virus and heartworm parasites.  So each time your pet is outside in mosquito territory, it is a sitting target for hungry female mosquitoes seeking a blood meal. 

West Nile virus along with the age-old, ever adaptable mosquito, is probably here to stay so ongoing precautions are essential.  The same thing that protects you against mosquito diseases also protects your pets. Prevention! 

• Eliminate breeding sites
• Use mosquito repellents, and
• Decrease exposure

Eliminate Breeding Sites
Change the water in birdbaths and paddling pools weekly and clean debris from rain gutters.  Eliminating standing water and long grasses will also help create an inhospitable environment for mosquitoes, encouraging them to go elsewhere

Repellents for Pets
There are a number of mosquito repellents available for pets, however as no repellent is 100% effective, heartworm preventatives should still be used.  When choosing a mosquito repellent for your cat or dog, bear in mind that certain chemicals may be harmful or even fatal to your pets.  Human repellents containing DEET have been known to poison cats and should never be used on them.

Protect your Dog:     Look for repellents specifically formulated and recommended for pets that contain either permethrins or pyrethrins, such as “Flys Off Spray”.  

Protect your Cat:     Look for products containing pyrethrin.  Pyrethrins are a natural, organic insecticide that can be safely used on cats.  Products such as “bioSpot Flea & Tick Spray” and “bioSpot SPOT ON®” are considered both safe and effective for cats.
NB: Permethrins are toxic to cats and should never be used on them. 

Natural Control to Reduce Mosquitoes

• Bats and purple martins are often touted as great mosquito predators, and they can consume large numbers of flying insects including mosquitoes.  Having a bat or bird house in your yard is yet another way of decreasing the mosquito population naturally, without the use of toxic chemicals.
• Mosquitoes love to breed in still, stagnant water.  To avoid this problem add goldfish, koi or some Mosquito Fish to your ornamental pool or pond.  A pond with a healthy and hungry fish population will eat most mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae.
• The addition of a fountain, waterfall or aerator is another option.  This will help to circulate the water quickly, making it difficult for mosquitoes to breed.
• Consider using a mosquito trap to help control mosquitoes and reduce the chances of being bitten.  Because mosquitoes find their prey by detecting CO2, Octenol and other chemical odors, as well as light and heat, most mosquito traps use some combination of artificial smells and lighting displays to lure, trap and kill mosquitoes.  Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps are a safe and highly effective way to help rid your yard of those nuisance mosquitoes, biting midges (no-see-ums) black flies and sand flies, all without the use of insecticides, fogs or sprays.

When set up properly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, just one or two of these ingenious devices can kill thousands of mosquitoes and all but wipe out a local population, reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases for you and your pet.

Mosquitoes use their antenna to seek out hot targets putting out carbon dioxide (CO²) the stuff we exhale.  If you’re huffing and puffing around the back yard, playing with the kids or flipping burgers on the grill, you’re especially appealing.  So if you want off the mosquito radar, hold your breath or find them a meal replacement – more on that later!

The little blood suckers are also attracted to chemicals in our sweat.   In fact scientists have discovered that 1 in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes and that genetics account for a staggering 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.  They’ve also discovered that certain elements of our body chemistry, that when found in excess on the skin’s surface, make mosquitoes swarm closer.  For instance mosquitoes can detect and are attracted to cholesterol – wait ‘til the pharmaceuticals figure out they have a secondary market for their cholesterol drugs!  And like butterflies, they are attracted to bright colors. Hence the advice to wear light colored clothing.

The mosquito’s bite; actually it’s not a bite – mosquitoes don’t have teeth!  Instead they use their nose. It’s called a proboscis, and it’s serrated like a knife. It pierces the skin and through one tube it injects saliva to numb the area and keep the blood from clotting. And through the other it sucks blood like root beer through a straw. Yum!

It doesn’t take much — between 0.001 and 0.01 milliliters – so we probably wouldn’t even miss it if it weren’t for that annoying, itchy bump that comes up after a mosquito bite.  It’s an allergic reaction that usually goes away in a day or so, but will drive you bonkers and to the medicine chest until it does

Mosquitoes prefer to schedule their feasts during dusk and early evening. So that’s when you may find yourself swatting helplessly at dive-bombing mosquitoes. That’s no way to enjoy a barbeque with your friends and family – you’ve invited them over for a meal, not to be the main course! So to avoid attracting mosquitoes like a magnet you need to offer up a viable meal replacement.

Mosquito traps that take advantage of mosquitoes’ sensory abilities by tricking them with features that mimic the smells and visual stimuli associated with people is what you need.  The idea is to make the machine more attractive to a mosquito than a human by emitting CO2, octenol, heat, or light – or a combination of those to lure mosquitoes in.  The mosquitoes come in to check out the prospective meal, get sucked in by the fan then trapped in a container where they die.  A great way to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard.

Further DIY mosquito control measures should also include wearing loose long pants and long sleeves to help deter the biters.  Repellants, especially those with DEET, can cut down on the attacks. And some people swear by citronella sprays, candles and incense.

Mosquito squatters love a place that is out of sight, out of mind.  Take in the welcome mat by depriving skeeters of their favorite places like standing water, which can become potential mosquito nurseries.  It doesn’t take much, an inch or two that has collected in a child’s toy, a flowerpot, an old tire. Stagnant pools, birdbaths and fountains are another mosquito favorite. Females lay their eggs every three days in standing water and they’re not particular where.   So don’t forget to clear out the rain gutters too. They’re also fond of tall grass and soggy mulch. Keep the grass cut short and the mulch turned, especially after heavy rain.

The female mosquito is a deadly blood-seeking machine and some species are known to fly as far as 50 miles to get their blood meal.  Fortunately she only lives between two to four weeks.  Male mosquitoes on the other hand live about a week and feed on fruit and plant nectar. But it’s all about passing on their DNA, so they seek out females, attracted by the sound of their wings. They mate just once. The female will continue to lay eggs after every blood meal, producing hundreds of eggs during her lifetime.

So they live a short life filled with quiet desperation. Well, ok, maybe not.

There are several ways to shorten the life span of a mosquito. There’s nothing like a well-placed swat or slap -  seeing the bloody, squished body of a mosquito on the palm of your hand, has its own special satisfaction (until you realize that it’s your blood.)

But a good mosquito trap is probably the most effective solution for an open space like a back yard.  Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps are among the highest rated traps on the market. And in independent testing (PPT), Mega-Catch™ mosquito traps have been shown to capture thousands of mosquitoes in a single night. That will take the bite out of any mosquito’s forthcoming sushi party!