Which Mosquito Trap - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sunedog · #1 08-03-2007, 08:33 PM

Mosquito's are killing us this season. I've tried the passive techniques (eliminating standing water) and spraying the yard with a Bug-B-Gone type product, but we're losing the battle.

I've searched the forum (and other sites) and a common complaint from owners of these traps is they work great the first season but many people have trouble with them the second (or third) year.

Given that, I'm still to the point I'm just about ready to shell out several hundred for a propane powered Mosquito trap.

What are your favorites?

Which ones should I stay away from?

How big should I get? My yard is 0.42 acres. I'd like to share this with a next door neighbor with a similar sized yard if it's practical to cover most of about 0.8 acres.

TIA
sunedog

LUVMBDiesels · #2 08-03-2007, 08:54 PM

I have the Blue Rhino Skeeter Vac SV35 and have used it for two years now. It really works! I have practically no mosquitoes now and I live near a lot of wetlands. The trick is to place it in the right spot. I had to move it around the yard until I found the right place. It takes a 20Lb can of propane every three weeks so it is not very cheap to run, but it is effective.

You can get them online for around $300

Make sure you also get extra tactraps and bait lures. I have to replace the tactrap every two weeks and the bait lure twice a summer.

SwampYankee · #3 08-04-2007, 10:17 AM

My brother, father and the marina I keep my boat in all have the Mosquito Magnets. Each on has had a hiccup or two, were inexpensive to repair, but for the most part they have performed real well for the 2,3 and 4 years of use respectively.

Keep in mind, they are a "magnet" so you want to place it somewhere that it draws them away from where you want to be.

ADP · #4 08-04-2007, 12:25 PM

regarding mosquito magnets...?

Do they attract and kill bugs you might want? (like the fire flys)

We have about 5 acres and lots of mosquitos. I was thinking about getting some bat houses. We have some bats, I hear bats are good mosquito control.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Ann

sunedog · #5 08-05-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADP

regarding mosquito magnets...?

Do they attract and kill bugs you might want? (like the fire flys)

I can't put my hands on it today, but I read one of the manufacturer's explanation data yesterday and they specifically said the baits did not attract any bugs except blood suckers (mosquito, black flies, no see 'ums, etc). Something to do with CO2 seekers, I believe. However, I suspect the ones with the lights and sticky pads have to kill some unintended targets. My 7 year old loves to chase lightning bugs so I am concerned about the probability of eliminating them from my yard unintentionally.

LUVMBDiesels · #6 08-05-2007, 09:41 PM

The SkeeterVac uses CO2, heat,a chemical lure called Octinol, and the colors/pattern of the trap to attract mosquitoes, midges, and biting flies. I have not seen any fireflies, moths or other insects on the trap.The sticky trap is the white and black area on the machine in the picture. It does catch spiders who go onto it for a free meal. I like the SkeeterVac because it has the external sticky trap which captures maybe 90% of the mosquitoes. It becomes covered with dead mosquitoes! You do need to position it in the right spot, upwind of your house on the flight path from whatever water source is breeding the insects. It took me a few weeks to get mine in the right spot.

I used to have a lot of bats but the West Nile virus killed them all last year. I had dead bats all over the yard!