Mosquito Traps 101

The Asian tiger mosquito is extremely difficult to control: conventional methods that rely on chemical pesticides harm other insects and become ineffective as mosquitoes develop resistance.  In addition to being a serious nuisance biter, it is also capable of transmitting a host of diseases including dengue fever, Chikungunya and West Nile Virus.  In the last few decades it has spread throughout the world and is now well established in the U.S. and Europe where it has become an increasing health concern.

The Mega-Catch™ 3000 combo lure  developed for and exclusive to Mega-Catch™, incorporates synthetic Octenol, lactic acid and other ingredients specially formulated, then blended to attract the Asian tiger (Aedes albopictus) and other nuisance mosquitoes as well as sand flies, black flies and biting midges (no-see-ums). 

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”.
R. Jones,
SC. USA.

The breakthrough aromatic mosquito attractant was developed specifically to enhance the existing design features of all Mega-Catch™ traps so as to increase capture rates of targeted species.  Mega-Catch™ sales manager Nicky Stockman, believes the Mega-Catch™ 3000 combo lure, which incorporates well known mosquito attractants, Octenol and Lactic acid, should prove to be an irresistible combination.  “This new lure will literally be a godsend for those people living in areas where the Asian tiger is now rampant,” predicts Stockman.  

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.

“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…

Don’t let Mosquito Trapping ‘Fall’ Away

Mosquitoes, universally regarded as a summertime pest, are also known to thrive in the fall, transmitting a multitude of diseases in the process.  In fact mosquitoes remain active until temperatures drop below 50 degrees; which isn’t until late fall in most regions of the United States. With summer winding down, don’t get caught out. Females lay their eggs every three days in standing water, and a single female mosquito can lay thousands of eggs during her life time. And those eggs can have a ‘shelf life’ of up to a year, before hatching.   So those mosquitoes you leave buzzing around now are producing potential offspring that could be back to bite you come next spring.

Cold temperatures kill adult mosquitoes, including their larvae, however global warming is already having an impact, with the increase and spread of mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases being recorded worldwide. Just one bite is all it takes to transmit disease, so ongoing precautions are essential, especially in the fall.

Mosquito traps, when used in conjunction with other sensible mosquito control measures are one of the best ways to keep a yard clear of nuisance mosquitoes. While they won’t permanently eliminate mosquitoes in the area, and no responsible manufacturer should claim otherwise, when set up properly, just one or two mosquito traps can kill thousands of  the little biters, significantly reducing the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) or any other mosquito-borne disease.

Bite Prevention the Best Protection against West Nile Virus

Carried by birds and spread by infected mosquitoes, WNV has killed hundreds of millions of birds and infected more than 29,000 people in the U.S. since the first reported outbreak there in 1999.  Now over halfway through the 2009 West Nile season, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) thus far has reported  82 cases in 20 states and 3 confirmed fatalities.  Unfortunately there’s no vaccine for West Nile virus – although research is currently underway to develop one.  The CDC advises preventing the bite is the best protection.

Eliminate Potential Mosquito Nurseries

Getting rid of breeding sites around the home will help reduce the health risks associated with mosquitoes.  They don’t need much; an inch or two of water that has collected in a child’s toy, a flowerpot, or an old tire. Stagnant pools, birdbaths and fountains are another mosquito favorite.  

Mosquito Traps Kill Thousands

So to minimize your mosquito problem, for this season and the next, devise an effective mosquito control plan using the best available strategies, including mosquito traps.  The effectiveness of mosquito traps does vary from brand to brand and location to location.  Mega-Catch™ traps have been independently and scientifically tested and seem to be far superior to the rest at doing what they claim – effectively attracting and killing mosquitoes.  As an added bonus they also deal to biting midges (no-see-ums) black flies and sand flies, all without the use of insecticides, fogs or sprays.