Mosquito Traps - information

	Lure	Coverage	Refills	Power	Warranty	Weight	MSRP	Comments
Mosquito Magnet	Octenol, heat, moisture,CO2	1.25 acres	Ocetenol, propane, net trap	Cordless	2 years	45lbs.	$1400-$295	4 models, some with cords
Dragonfly*	Octenol, CO2	100 feet	Ocetenol, CO2, repellent, AA batteries	Cord, 110v	1 year	N/A	$349 + CO2 tank	Includes 1 trap, 2 repellents
SonicWeb	Octenol, heat, CO2, sound	1 acre	Octenol, sticky paper, mosq. traps	Cord, low-voltage	1 year	N/A	$195	No corporate address found
Mega-Catch	Octenol,, CO2, UV light	150 feet	Octenol, CO2	Low-voltage	1 year	N/A	$499- $249	No propane, need to get CO2 refills
Guardian Mosquito Trap	Octenol, heat, CO2, moisture	1 acre	Ocetenol, propane	N/A	1 year	N/A	$300
EPAR Mosquito Trap	Heat, CO2, moisture	1 acre	Propane	Cord, 110v		N/A	$895	20lb bottle CO2 will last about 5 days
Mosquito Deleto	Octenol, CO2, moisture, light	1.5 acre	Octenol, propane, AA batteries	Cordless	1 year	N/A	$400	Past history of catching fire
SkeeterVac	Octenol, CO2, moisture, light	1.5 acre	Octenol, propane, AA batteries, trap nets	Cordless	1 year	N/A	$325-$290	Manual igniter, continuous flame

More information
Some tests are even run by U.S. Government or other outside services. Keep in mind the methods used to judge the effectiveness of these mosquito eaters may be different from your conditions. Tests run on barrier islands, which are basically a closed environments, can show a dramatic drop in mosquito population when mosquito traps are used. The same for tests in closed containers used to record live and killed mosquitoes.

Subdivisions and nearby wetlands can supply an unlimited supply of hungry mosquito replacements - nature doesn’t tolerate a vacuum. Sunlight, open terrain and wind are also factors.

How to pick the right one
If most of the mosquito traps are using the same attractants it stands to reason the results should be similar. The best way to get what’s best for you is to ask neighbors and friends. If they are pleased with the trap they are using then that should be as good an endorsement as any.

Other things to consider are cost of refills such as propane (tank not included in purchase price), octenol and trap bags. Some traps have batteries, CO2 canisters and other disposables. CO2 canisters can be filled at welding shops and depending on size last about five days with continuous use.

Manufacturers say their products have a coverage of ½ to 1 acre. This can be misleading. With a breeze blowing through your yard you could have an effective area in the shape of a trailing cone. With variable conditions it may be necessary to reposition the mosquito trap from time to time. The propane tank alone will weigh 25 lbs when full.

The general consensus is that mosquito traps do work, replicating the human signature with heat, smell and CO2 is an effective way to attract mosquitoes. The difference in price comes from how good these machines are at attracting and trapping mosquitoes.

To maximize attraction and trapping, electrical power is necessary. This is done with AC, low-voltage or solar power.

Most manufacturers recommend that the mosquito trap be at least 40 feet from activity and provide a power cord that length.

a4-adirondackchairs is an authorized representative of mosquito traps

What's the best mosquito trap?

If you do your research you’ll see that manufacturers have evidence that their product is better than the competition. The table below shows that they all use the same basic lure to attract mosquitoes.

So how do you choose?
The big difference seems to be how efficient the machine works. This means how efficiently it can disperse attractants and capture mosquitoes. To do these things it needs to have a good power
source so it can:
1. Time-release a more powerful stream of attractants
2. Generate stronger human-like signature.
3. Provide flameless heat
4. Have computerized programs for effecient use
5. Vacuum in more mosquitoes that come within range.