The Mosquito Magnet - not only are mosquitoes annoying, but they carry many diseases including the West Nile virus and Malaria, just to name a few.
The most effective method to rid your outdoor areas of mosquitoes is to use the Mosquito Magnet. Not only extremely popular by homeowners, but the Mosquito Magnet has also been effectively used by the U.S. armed forces. The Mosquito Magnet also rids areas of other pests such as black flies.
Mosquito Magnet ® works by attracting and capturing the mosquitoes and other biting insects that are breeding in your yard.
Counterflow Technology
- Lures:
The Mosquito Magnet operates 24/7 by releasing a continuous stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) and scientifically proven attractant to draw mosquitoes to the trap. - Captures:
Using our patented Counterflow Technology™ mosquitoes and other biting insects are vacuumed into a net where they dehydrate and die. - Controls:
The Mosquito Magnet is scientifically proven to disrupt mosquito breeding cycles, virtually eliminating the nuisance of mosquitoes in your yard all season long.
Mosquito Magnet® Attractants
Using attractants is critical to the performance of your
Mosquito Magnet®.
Once mosquitoes sense the carbon dioxide from the Mosquito Magnet, they need secondary attractants, Octenol or Lurex3, to hone in on the trap.
Resources
American Biophysics Corporation (AmBio), maker of the Mosquito Magnet®, is home to state-of-the-art testing and product development laboratories, where teams of chemists, entomologists, and engineers conduct studies to better understand the behavior of mosquitoes and other biting insects. This rigorous process enables AmBio to manufacture the world’s most effective attractants and traps for everyday consumer and commercial use.
Research & Development
AmBio is the only commercial company, and one of only a handful of scientific institutions in the world, that has the technology to probe mosquitoes down to a single neuron to determine their reactions. This process, along with other specialized testing, enables AmBio to isolate, synthesize, and manufacture the world’s most advanced species-specific attractants and lures for everyday use.
Key research achievements:
- Helped to isolate over 330 compounds emitted from human skin, used to develop the powerful attractants that lure and catch biting insects when combined with the Mosquito Magnet® traps.
- Developed the first-ever, EPA-registered attractant designed specifically for the Asian Tiger Mosquito – Lurex3.
- Implemented a shared research program with over 25 renowned entomologists worldwide – including the U.S. Military, universities, state mosquito control agencies and health departments – to provide critical feedback on trap technology.
- Launched a research center in East Africa to investigate methods of controlling malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
For more detailed information on the Company’s research and testing, please visit www.ambiocorp.com/research.
Independent Testing
Independent tests have proven that the Mosquito Magnet® is more effective and captures more types of biting insects and mosquitoes than any other mosquito traps on the market. Following is a summary of the studies, with the full tests available for download.
Hawaii, Aug/Sep 2004
Five commercially available mosquito traps were compared. The Mosquito Magnet® with Lurex3™ as the secondary attractant, performed significantly better than all other traps tested for collecting total Culicidae. All Mosquito Magnet® products utilizing Lurex3™ collected significantly more Aedes albopictus than the competitor trap using octenol.
Fort Meyers, FL, August 2004
Eight commercially available mosquito traps were compared. The Mosquito Magnet® Liberty and Mosquito Magnet® Liberty Plus, both utilizing Octenol as the additional attractant, performed significantly better than all other traps tested.
Fort Meyers, FL, April 2004
Seven commercially available mosquito traps were compared. The Mosquito Magnet® Liberty and Liberty Plus performed significantly better than all other traps tested.
USDA-ARS/CMAVE, Atsena Otie Key, FL
21 Mosquito Magnet® traps were placed along the nature trail in an effort to reduce mosquito populations. The traps had a very significant impact on the mosquito populations on Atsena Otie.
Cayman Islands Mosquito Research & Control Unit
The Mosquito Magnet Liberty was tested against the Coleman "Mosquito Deleto" and the Applica "Sonic Web." The Mosquito Magnet® captured nearly 200 times more mosquitoes than competing products.
Florida A&M University, Panama City, Florida
The Mosquito Magnet® Pro was tested head-to-head against the Mosquito PowerTrap in a tropical salt marsh. The Mosquito Magnet® captured 10 times more mosquitoes than the PowerTrap.
U.S. Army Medical Command, the Centers for Disease Control, et al.; Republic of Korea
Field tests of seven different mosquito traps were conducted where recent outbreaks of malaria had occurred. The Mosquito Magnet® captured 3 times more mosquitoes than the next most effective trap, and over 13 times as many as other traps using CO2 and Octenol attractants.
U.S. Coast Guard, Bahamas
The Coast Guard used the Mosquito Magnet® to reclaim its Bahamian station that had become uninhabitable due to swarming mosquitoes. Six Mosquito Magnets captured 1.5 million mosquitoes in just six days.
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Breeding
First found in the United States in Harris Co., Texas, in 1985, the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus) is now present in more than thirty states. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a 'container breeder‘ that breeds in artificial containers such as tires, flower pots, buckets and rain gutters; as well as natural containers such as bamboo, bromeliads, and tree holes. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is not a strong flyer so it does not travel far from its breeding habitat. If it's breeding in your backyard, that's where it will stay.
Biting Habits
The Asian Tiger Mosquito is an aggressive day-biter and is most active from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most mosquitoes feed at dawn and dusk, and rest in the foliage during the day. They will generally bite you during the day only if you go into their shady resting spots. The Asian Tiger Mosquito will readily leave its shady resting area to feed on you even in the direct sun.
Diseases
Unlike other species, Asian Tiger Mosquito eggs can survive very cold winters. As a result the Asian Tiger Mosquito has great potential to carry diseases into a substantial portion of the United States. In the Central region of the United States, this species has been linked to the transmission of LaCrosse Encephalitis. There have been several documented cases of Dengue Fever in southern Texas due to the increased numbers of Aedes Albopictus in that region. Another disease Aedes albopictus can transmit to humans is the West Nile Virus.
Sources: AMCA Newsletter, Aug. 1990, Wing Beats. Novak, Robert. "The Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus." 1992. Vol. 3; www.cdc.gov
Aedes Aegypti
Breeding
Aedes Aegypti breed in artificial containers (flower pots, rain gutters, bird baths) and eggs can resist desiccation for up to one year. The eggs will hatch when flooded by deoxygenated water. Aedes Aegypti fly only a few hundred yards from their breeding area.
Biting Habits
Often called the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti is an early morning or late afternoon feeder, but will also bite at night under artificial illumination. Habitats are often found close to human areas and the mosquitoes will often bite indoors or in sheltered areas near the home. Human blood is preferred over other animals, with ankles as a favorite bite area.
Diseases
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is the primary carrier for viruses that cause Dengue Fever and Yellow Fever.
Source: Wing Beats, Womack, Michael. The Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. 1993, Vol. 5 (4):4
Black Flies
Breeding
With a short life span of only 2-3 weeks, black flies are small humpbacked flies that breed and develop in clear running water. Females deposit from 150 to 500 eggs in submerged vegetation, and the eggs hatch in four to five days.
Biting Habits
Female black flies feed on blood, while males on nectar. Unlike most mosquitoes, black flies bite in the middle of the day. As the female bites, she injects saliva into the skin, which is highly irritating and leads to swelling and itching.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
They have been called the most dangerous animal in the world. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, they can carry diseases that are a serious health threat to people and pets. With just one bite, mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus and other viruses that cause encephalitis. They can also transmit heartworm disease to dogs and cats.
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever is primarily a disease of the tropics that is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Aedes Aegypti is a day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans. It is also transmitted by the Aedes Albopictus (the Asian Tiger Mosquito). Those infected with dengue can suffer from a spectrum of illnesses ranging from a viral flu to severe and fatal hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF causes severe internal bleeding, shock, and circulatory collapse, and is usually fatal to children.
The Dengue Fever is passed back and forth between mosquitoes and humans, and causes an extraordinarily painful ailment that exists in four known strains or serotypes. Dengue is especially dangerous to children, who generally have one infection, but if bitten again can get a more serious infection that can lead to DHF.
Until recently, Dengue Fever was relatively unknown in the Western Hemisphere. Dengue is increasingly becoming a plague of global proportions and may soon eclipse Malaria as the most significant mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans.
EEE
Encephalitis – in various forms such as St. Louis, Western Equine, LaCrosse, Eastern Equine, and West Nile Virus – is endemic to the United States and increasing in incidence. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has a 30% - 60% mortality rate once contracted. Severe damage to the central nervous system occurs in those that survive the illness.
EEE is maintained in nature through a cycle between the Culiseta Melanura mosquito and birds that live in freshwater swamps. Although Culiseta Melanura do not bite humans, some will "cross bite“ – bite an infected bird and then bite a human or animal (horse, emu, and other exotic birds) – thereby spreading the disease. These mosquitoes are also known as bridge vectors, a species that transmits a disease from one host to another. These bridge vectors may take a meal from a bird and later take another meal from a mammal.
Symptoms usually occur within 2-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion, and lethargy. Encephalitis, swelling of the brain, is the most dangerous symptom.
Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from person to person by the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. Anopheles bite during the nighttime and are present in almost all countries in the tropics and subtropics.
Symptoms of Malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscleache, and malaise. In its early stages it can resemble the onset of the flu. These symptoms can develop 6-8 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito or as late as several months after the traveler has left the area.
Malaria can sometimes be prevented by the use of anti-malarial drugs and protection against mosquito bites. Some estimates place 40% of the world's population at risk for malaria. It is estimated that worldwide, Malaria claims over one million lives annually.
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever is a disease caused by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Common in parts of Africa and South America, the symptoms of include fever, chills, headache, backache, nausea, and vomiting. Jaundice can also occur. More serious cases may affect the blood, liver, and kidneys. The disease can be fatal and is spread when an infected mosquito bites a person with Yellow Fever, and then transmits it by biting another person.
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, other than to relieve the symptoms. Once a person has had yellow fever, they are immune to further infection. The best way to prevent the disease is through vaccination and mosquito control.
West Nile
West Nile Virus symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rash, which are mild symptoms to severe symptoms that include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremor, coma, vision loss, and paralysis. These severe symptoms may dissipate in a few weeks or could remain permanently. The onset of symptoms usually begins three to 14 days after a mosquito bite.
80% of the people who are infected with West Nile will show no symptoms at all, while only 20% will show mild to serious symptoms. People who are mostly likely to show symptoms if bitten by an infected mosquito are infants, elderly and people with auto-immune deficiencies.
Suggested Links
Learn more by visiting these sites:
American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)
A comprehensive resource for mosquito information, the AMCA provides links to regional mosquito control districts, state associations, lab sites and more.
www.mosquito.org
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
This site contains fact sheets on mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus.
www.cdc.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Visit the Mosquito Control section of the EPA’s Web site for useful tips.
www.epa.gov
Weather.com
Check out the mosquito activity forecast in your area.
www.weather.com