Mosquito Traps​: Different Types and their Working Mechanism

Understanding Mosquito control traps​

Diverse approaches can be adopted to effectively trap mosquitoes in the desired area using various brands and homemade trap for mosquitoes. One approach is incorporating CO2 mosquito trap which lures mosquitoes. This essentially simulates the human breathing by emitting carbon dioxide into the surroundings making it attractive to mosquitoes as a result.

After the mosquitoes swarm them they are pulled and destroyed therefore it is a useful tool in wiping out most of the mosquito colonies. Furthermore, some mosquito fan traps can be made using a box fan, mesh screening can also be used. Those who prefer a light based method, there are mosquito light traps that features bright lights as a bait for insects, along with fans to catch them before they can escape.

Types of mosquito traps: According to their use and operational mechanism

It is important to have a good mosquito trap in order to manage the growth of mosquitoes and keep the risk of the diseases they bear at bay. Different types of trap for mosquitoes work on different principles and have specific uses. Following is the catalog of some of the most used and useful varieties of mosquito traps, especially vacuum traps, clustered according to their functional modes and areas of use.

Different types of trap for mosquitoes​

1. CO2 Traps (Carbon Dioxide Mosquito Trap​)

CO2 traps contain carbon dioxide gas within them which is released in order to lure mosquitoes as it represents the carbon dioxide of a potential host ready to be fed upon.

• Working Mechanism:
  • These traps release carbon dioxide which sometimes is coupled with some heated objects that lure and bring mosquitoes to the area of the trap. When the mosquitoes are trapped within reach, a fan or a vacuum mechanism draws them in.
• Market Popular Models:
  • Mosquito Magnet Trap: This mosquito trap comes with a CO2 and a vacuum tool that spreads the bait around large areas.
  • DynaTrap: This mosquito trap has a silent fan with UV and CO2 which draws the mosquitoes into a collection bin.
• Advantages:
  • Highly suitable for dense swarms.
  • Helpful for a variety of mosquito.
• Disadvantages:
  • Cost implications as electricity or propane is consumed.
• Best Suited For:
  • Large outdoor regions or elsewhere in close proximity to a water body.

2. UV Light Traps (Mosquito Light Trap​)

These traps incorporate ultraviolet light in their designs which make it possible for the traps to lure mosquitoes.

• How they Work: Insects are attracted to UV light and either get electrocute or stick to a surface.
• Common Models:
  • Flowtron: Uses electrocuting grid along with strong UV lights.
  • Katchy Indoor Insect Trap: Fan and UV light trap, intended for indoor use.
• Pros:
  • Environment-friendly; captures multiple flying insects.
• Cons:
  • Less efficient during daytime; needs to be cleaned from time to time.
• Best Suited For: Best for city areas, porches, balconies and patios.

3. Mosquito Fan Traps

Fan traps draw mosquitoes into a particular space by means of strong fans.

• How they Work: A power fan pulls air that takes in mosquitoes as it pulls the air inside.
• Common Models:
  • Burgess Insect Trap: Outdoor propane insect trap with a fan feature.
  • Megacatch: Uses a fan and electric light to attract and trap insects.
• Pros:
  • Not noisy; can be used in both spaces.
• Cons:
  • Proper positioning may be necessary for the best results.

4. Mosquito Vacuum Traps

Vacuum traps use suction systems to trap mosquitoes and other unwanted insects.

• How they Work: It uses CO2 or light attraction to pull mosquitoes into a chamber where a blow of vacuum dehydrates the insect resulting in the insect’s death.
• Popular Models:
  • DynaTrap Vacuum Trap: It has a vacuum fan with a low noise casing that helps reduce the sound output from the buzzing or zapping.
  • Inhalant Mosquito Trap GM904G: It has an insect attracting light sources and CO2 gas, both mechanisms suck the targeted insect into the screened base.
• Pros:
  • They are designed to capture a big number of mosquitoes without making a lot of noises.
  • Tough to clean, but they do include detachable collection units.
• Cons:
  • Some versions may not instantly kill the insects so there is always a risk of losing some during maintenance.

5. CDC Light Traps

These traps are standard for adult mosquito surveillance developed by the CDC.

• How they Work: These employ a very small light and CO2 combination to attract mosquitoes which are dispensed in a cup below the trap via an electric fan.
• Pros:
  • These are small in size, lightweight and very effective in controlling multiple species.
• Cons:
  • These need battery support to operate; most of the time operated in the dark.

6. BG – Sentinel Trap

Designed specifically for Aedes species known to transmit diseases.

• How they Work: Uses attractants like Octenol or CO2 mixture to drag the mosquitoes into capped funnels to an electric fan that encloses them in a net.
• Pros:
  • Simple to use and easy to setup. Effective for certain selected species.
• Cons:
  • Requires power source; frequent collection may be required.

7. Gravid Ovitraps

Gravid traps are designed to catch female mosquitoes which search for suitable breeding locations in order to deposit their eggs.

• How they Work: Try to cover water with attractive substances that mosquitoes are lured to and once they are inside, they meet with materials that will kill them or surfaces that they will be stuck to, both of which are very difficult to get out of quickly.
• Pros:
  • It is specific to container breeding species; high maintenance is not required once properly set up.
• Cons:
  • Non-target species may be caught; efficacy can be influenced by relative humidity.

8. Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are surfaces coated with adhesives which are used to lure ants, mosquitoes and other insects believing that light or chemicals will attract them.

• How they Work: Are like fly strips in that once insects are attracted for landing onto the strips, they get stuck to the fly strips with adhesive.
• Pros:
  • Basic concept; can be easily used and need no electrical energy.
• Cons:
  • Capture several non-target insects; it can be very hard to identify the captured mosquitoes because they are amongst many others.

How to trap mosquitoes​ using DIY homemade mosquito traps?

You can always create an efficient homemade trap, which helps in trapping mosquitoes with ease. Constructing a mosquito trap can be cost-effective and effective too because it uses cheap materials which are easily found. In case you want to know the methods of how to trap mosquitoes indoors in the house and outdoors, by creating effective homemade mosquito traps, then check it out below. Some common DIY mosquito traps include:

1. Black Bucket Trap

Materials Required:

• Warm water
• Black open bucket
• Brown sugar
• Active dry yeast
• Dish soap

Procedure:

1. Grab a black bucket and fill it up with warm water.
2. Put two tablespoons of brown sugar in the water then mix thoroughly.
3. Active Dry Yeast should be added next. The reason this is added is that as the yeast releases carbon dioxide which is loved by mosquitoes.
4. Additionally, put one teaspoon of dish soap, this will break the surface tension of the water, causing the mosquitoes to drown as soon as they come near it.
5. Put the bucket inside a slightly open cardboard box to make it more effective.

This trap is effective since mosquitoes are drawn to darkness, and the combination of CO2 and soap manages to trap them.

2. Plastic Bottle Trap

Materials Required:

• 2 liter empty plastic bottle
• Brown sugar, 1/4 cup
• Active Dre Yeast, 1gm
• Water, 1 cup

Procedure:

1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.
2. Combine brown sugar and hot water in a heatproof container and let it cool down.
3. Pour the syrup into the bottom half of the bottle.
4. Add yeast without stirring, as it will release carbon dioxide.
5. Place the top part upside down, inverted position, and insert it into the bottom portion, joining them if necessary.
6. Cover the bottle in black cloth or something leaving only the mouth open and place it outdoors in a shaded location.

This trap utilizes CO2 as an effective lure for mosquitoes, is easy to use and is sustainable.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Materials Required:

• Jar or bowl
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dish Soap

Procedure:

1. Take a jar or a bowl and pour some apple cider vinegar in it.
2. Pour a small quantity of dish soap so that the surface tension breaks.
3. Keep it in a room where mosquitoes are common.

The vinegar lures the mosquitoes and the soap makes it difficult for them to come out.

4. Water and Oil Trap

Materials Required:

• Black bucket
• Water
• Linseed oil raw (1 teaspoon)

Procedure:

1. Use a black bucket and fill it with water.
2. Add one tsp of unrefined linseed oil into the water.
3. Keep the bucket under a shade.

The oil acts as a barrier layer on the water surface which restricts the mosquitoes to be able to take off after they land.

5. Larvae Trap with BTI

If you want to stop future generations of mosquitoes, you can make a trap that kills larvae.

Materials Needed:

• Container (a bucket will do)
• Water
• BTI granules (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)

Instructions:

1. Get a container and add water to it.
2. According to the product instructions, add BTI granules to it.

This method works great on mosquito larvae, and eventually does not allow the latter development into adult forms of these insects.

Even a homemade mosquito trap can serve to reduce the population of these pesky mosquito’s around your house without the use of harmful chemicals. It doesn’t matter which particular approach you wish to employ such as scraping mosquitoes away with black bucket trap, or luring them with a plastic bottle trap technique all these simple tactics make sure that you can savor outdoor leisure activities without mosquitoes bothering you.

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Conclusion

The reason is that research has proven the fact that average mosquito traps are not uniformly effective, rather it has been shown that the effectiveness varies based on types, location they are deployed as well as the type of mosquito species they are designed for. Such information is useful since it helps the users to select suitable measures against mosquitoes or an even better strategy to control mosquitoes in a safe way.

There are also mosquito control traps that can also be used including a mosquito vacuum, one of the traps which can help to bring down the number of mosquitoes around the house thereby enabling the use of open spaces without the displeasure of mosquitoes’ bites.