Do Backyard Mosquito Catchers Work?

Sept 24, 2005 | RobFromGa

[Yancey]

We have the mosquito magnet too. Our only problem with it is that it has not learned to change its own propane tank yet. But it does work. It is important to start it early in the season, but since you are in GA I suppose you would just run it year round.

[Mustard Plaster]

Too much gun fire in my youth, so I can't hear them. I could stand the bites but really hated them singing about it.

[GSlob]

DDT. It is pretty easy to make (chlorobenzene, chloral, sulfuric acid). Chloral is on FDA list, though.

[Fog Nozzle]

Two possibilities:

1. Mosquitoes are still biting you but you've lost feeling in your body.

2. Bodily off-gassing is providing the same function as CO2.

I would imagine your wife insists you sit out in the yard all night after you've eaten 4 or 5 of these bombs.

[dr_who_2]

Bug zappers are great fun. Don't remember whether they do anything substantial to the mosquito population though.

[Kenny Bunk]

Sam, I would read up on Spontaneous Human Combustion, were I you.
And please, no smoking. Or mosquitos will be the least of your problems.

I remain sincerely yours, and upwind, KB

[BipolarBob]

Spay or neuter all the mosquitos in your neighborhood. I hope this helps.

[Ditter]

The Mosquito Magnet works. It doesn't catch them every single one but it certainly thins the herd. They use propane and electricity or just propane. You need to clean the whatchamacallit (yes I'm a girl) ever so often but you can buy a little thingy that does it. I like it better than spraying chemicals or using DEET because I have so many allergies. First make sure there are no mosquito breeding places in your yard, flower pots, dog dishes, garbage cans and gutters that hold water. It doesn't take much for them to breed.

[RobFromGa]

LOL!

I think you are driving all the mosquitoes south with that regimen. Sounds tasty though.

[RobFromGa]

I've heard from some that the regular "zappers" don't work. If anyone has experience with them, I'd be interested.

[Samwise]

We installed a large bug zapper toward the back of the yard. We use those Off lanterns on the deck by the spa. We have seen a marked decrease in the number of mosquitos this year. I think the zapper helped a lot. Plus it's fun to listen to the big bugs sizzle and to watch them spark.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

The gator is a 10 footer!

[tamalejoe]

Not as well as DDT.