Mosquito Magnet® Frequent Asked Questions
BITING INSECTS FAQS
Is it true that only female mosquitoes bite? If so, why don’t male mosquitoes?
Female mosquitoes are indeed the biters. They need the blood for their eggs. Human blood contains protein, and the female mosquito needs the protein to develop her eggs.
How long can a mosquito live?
Mosquitoes typically live about two weeks, although some adult mosquitoes can survive the winter in a sort of hibernating state which enables them to survive for up to 8 months.
Remember, many of the larvae in ponds are eaten by fish and a large percentage of adult mosquitoes end up as dinner for birds, spiders and dragonflies. Thank goodness these predators are around, or else our mosquito problems would be far worse!
Why does my friend seem to get more mosquito bites than I do?
There are several theories about why some people are more apt to be victims of mosquitoes than others, but some of the more popular and plausible ideas revolve around human blood types and odors. It is felt that mosquitoes are attracted by the Carbon Dioxide we exhale, and then after they zoom in on us, they sense the moisture and heat of our bodies, and decide if we fit their preferences for a blood meal.
Do mosquitoes transmit AIDS?
No, mosquitoes do not transmit AIDs.
How do we get rid of midges? We cannot sit outside and enjoy our yard and pond, they are so dense at times!
It is really next to impossible to use sprays or insecticides to control these pests. Using a mosquito trap that uses CO2 as an attractant will help by drawing the midges to the trap and away from you. Note that the life of a Mosquito Magnet® trap may be impacted if consistently used in areas with dense populations of midges. Proper trap maintenance is especially important in these areas.
What makes Mosquito Magnet® different from other mosquito control solutions?
Typical mosquito control remedies such as sprays or candles only temporarily repel mosquitoes. And if there’s one thing we know for sure about mosquitoes, it’s that they always come back in droves! In contrast, Mosquito Magnet® works by attracting, trapping and killing the flying pests to interrupt their breeding cycle, providing a long-term mosquito control solution throughout the season.
How does Mosquito Magnet® attract mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere when we exhale, as well as the warmth and moisture in our breath. Mosquito Magnet® releases a continuous, precise and steady stream of carbon dioxide, warmth, moisture and a secondary attractant into the air, which ultimately lures the pests into the trap.
Where does the carbon dioxide come from?
Your Mosquito Magnet® trap uses a patented catalytic conversion process to transform propane into carbon dioxide.
Where should I place my trap?
Trap placement is critical for successfully killing mosquitoes with Mosquito Magnet®. Look for areas of standing water or bushes, as these serve as primary breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Position your trap between the breeding ground and an area on your property where people gather, such as a patio, deck or picnic spot. Be sure to place the trap upwind of the breeding area (preferably in the shade, as mosquitoes do not like direct sunlight), as this is the direction in which mosquitoes tend to travel when searching for a food source. Keep the trap approximately 30 to 40 feet away from human activity.
I’ve tried just about everything to get rid of mosquitoes on my property, but nothing seems to work. Why should I trust Mosquito Magnet®?
Mosquito Magnet® is backed by nearly two decades of research. The end result is a revolutionary technology that has been scientifically proven to eliminate mosquitoes and other types of flying pests such as black flies, midges and no-see-ums. Independent testing has verified that Mosquito Magnet® captures more types of biting insects than any other trap on the market.
PRODUCT FAQS
What makes Mosquito Magnet® different from other mosquito control solutions?
Typical mosquito control remedies such as sprays or candles only temporarily repel mosquitoes. And if there’s one thing we know for sure about mosquitoes, it’s that they always come back in droves! In contrast, Mosquito Magnet® works by attracting, trapping and killing the flying pests to interrupt their breeding cycle, providing a long-term mosquito control solution throughout the season.
How does Mosquito Magnet® attract mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere when we exhale, as well as the warmth and moisture in our breath. Mosquito Magnet® releases a continuous, precise and steady stream of carbon dioxide, warmth, moisture and a secondary attractant into the air, which ultimately lures the pests into the trap.
Where does the carbon dioxide come from?
Your Mosquito Magnet® trap uses a patented catalytic conversion process to transform propane into carbon dioxide.
Why do I need a secondary attractant?
Using a secondary attractant enhances the pest-luring ability of your trap by as much 10 times! We offer a variety of effective secondary attractants including Octenol, R-Octenol and Lurex3™. These are EPA-registered products that accurately and precisely mimic human breath.
What happens when the mosquitoes approach the trap?
This is when the patented Counterflow™ Technology goes into action! Much like a vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt from a carpet or floor, the mosquitoes are sucked inside the trap and into a specially designed mosquito net. Unable to escape, the mosquitoes become dehydrated and typically die within 24 hours of capture.
How does Mosquito Magnet® reduce the mosquito population?
By attracting and killing large volumes of flying pests, Mosquito Magnet® disrupts their breeding cycle and limits their ability to repopulate. When you operate your trap on a 24/7 basis, you should notice a dramatic reduction in the mosquito population over the course of the season.
How long does it take for Mosquito Magnet® to work?
Mosquito Magnet® will begin to lure, capture and kill mosquitoes immediately upon activation! It takes about four weeks to disrupt the mosquitoes’ breeding cycle, so it’s a good idea to begin to use the trap as early in the season as possible — once the temperatures start rising. By doing so, you’ll ensure the most effective long-term mosquito-killing solution.
When can I start using the trap?
Mosquitoes are prolific breeders and can produce many offspring as the season progresses. They typically begin to breed when the temperature reaches and consistently remains above 50° F (10° C). A good rule of thumb to help reduce the mosquito population all season long is starting your trap as soon as the temperature begins rising.
Is it difficult to set up a Mosquito Magnet® trap?
Not at all! You can set up your Mosquito Magnet® in just a matter of minutes by following a few simple steps. Easy-to-follow instructions are included with your trap, and our 360° Customer Support is always available to provide further assistance if needed.
Where should I place my trap?
Trap placement is critical for successfully killing mosquitoes with Mosquito Magnet®. Look for areas of standing water or bushes, as these serve as primary breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Position your trap between the breeding ground and an area on your property where people gather, such as a patio, deck or picnic spot. Be sure to place the trap upwind of the breeding area (preferably in the shade, as mosquitoes do not like direct sunlight), as this is the direction in which mosquitoes tend to travel when searching for a food source. Keep the trap approximately 30 to 40 feet away from human activity.
What about trap maintenance?
We’ve designed our traps to be easy to maintain. You will just need to refill the propane tank and the Mosquito Morgue™ (our line of nets and lures) every 21 days to ensure effective insect trapping throughout the season. Nets and attractants are available in bundles that can save you money over the course of the season. It’s also a good idea to check the nets for holes or tears at more frequent intervals during the peak mosquito season.
Will I have to put up with a nasty smell on my property all summer long?
Absolutely not! The carbon dioxide stream emitted by Mosquito Magnet® is completely odorless, so there’s no unpleasant smell to deal with. The trap also operates silently, so you won’t have to worry about a loud noise disrupting your outdoor gatherings.
I’ve tried just about everything to get rid of mosquitoes on my property, but nothing seems to work. Why should I trust Mosquito Magnet®?
Mosquito Magnet® is backed by nearly two decades of research. The end result is a revolutionary technology that has been scientifically proven to eliminate mosquitoes and other types of flying pests such as black flies, midges and no-see-ums. Independent testing has verified that Mosquito Magnet® captures more types of biting insects than any other trap on the market.
Is it okay to use Mosquito Magnet® around children and pets?
Absolutely! Mosquito Magnet® does not contain any sharp edges that could pose a danger to curious kids and animals. To prevent the risk of electric shock, the same precautions should be taken when using a Mosquito Magnet® as when using any type of electrically powered device in the presence of small children.
Where can I learn more about how Mosquito Magnet® works to reduce the mosquito population?
To get more detailed information about how Mosquito Magnet® works and to meet our mosquito experts, click here.
Patriot FAQs
What is the power source for the Independence trap?
The Independence features cordless technology that enables it to operate on four ‘C’ batteries, just like the type you would use in a typical household flashlight. This gives you the ability to place this superior pest-killing machine exactly where you need it!