Mosquito repellants

What's everyones opinion on the Mosquito Magnet brand insect trappers? These are the ones, for those unaware of them, that use LP gas as an attractant and trap the insects in a net. I live in a low-lying, river-flat area and the mosquitos have been known to carry small children away if you don't keep an eye on them! If not this, then what do you recommend using for, lets say, about 1 1/2 acres, in area.

 

Mosquito magnets attract both good and bad insects, but not all species of mosquitos. There are 3,450 species.

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_069037.htm

For EPA recommendations for mosquito control:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/

The American Mosquito Control Organization states that mosquito control devices have a lot of potential but their effectiveness should not be overestimated. Further, they state that its very unlikely that these devices, even with improvements, will ever supplant mosquito control programs.

CDC assessments on the effectiveness of the Mosquito Magnet tend to show no significant decrease in mosquito activity. Results of one such study: http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.2987%2F8756-971X(2006)22%5B401%3AAAOTEO%5D2.0.CO%3B2

Making your landscape less attractive to mosquitoes and exploring other alternatives for mosquito control is recommended. And, don't forget that applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET is one of the best methods to protect yourself from mosquitoes. There are now child safe alternatives for children.

Eliminating sources of standing water in the landscape and the use of larvacides in slow-moving streams and ditches, ponds, and other areas where mosquitos breed is recognized as effective for reducing mosquito populations.

 

I have a friend that has been using one for several years and says life has not been better since.

 

Wow, let me first say that you two have some fantastic posts numbers. Thank you both for your response. Twelve, I'm stuck with doing whatever I can to REDUCE the number I'm exposed to. When I say river flat area, I mean a high volume slow moving river and a no-moving canal all within a 1/2 mile of my back door. The flat area - about a mile in width - is constantly flooded and cannot be controlled. As far as tackling the standing water, that would be up the my county government to spray such and they have no desire to spray this area as it affects relatively few relative to the county population. I guess its my fault for wanting a river in my back yard but I wouldn't give it up for high ground. Mattison, this is what I was hoping to hear. I think I'll give one a try, I've got nothing to lose, except a couple hundred bucks. Thanks again.

 

We bought a mosquito magnet years ago as our house is surrrounded by two creeks and LOTS of ivy. We couldn't go outside during the summer.

The mosquito magnet attracted some mosquitos because you could see them flying around it, but the vacumn is so weak we found very few were getting killed. It made it a little better but by no means solved the problem.

But in a pest control place I learned about foggers. I was sceptical, but bought an electic one and permytherin which is a natural extract chemical that is FDA approved for treating fruits and vegetables in transit for insects.

Let me tell you -- it works GREAT! We promptly sold the mosquito magnet on ebay. And can be outdoors with no problems. The only hassle is that you have to do it every 10-18 days depending on how much rain we're getting and it takes a while to do our property.

This year I've been clearing the back of our property and building a nature trail. So I bought a stihl backpack fogger. Expensive, but now I can spray twice the property in half the time as before.

I realize that it sounds like I'm hyping this, but I HATE mosquitos.

 

I bought a Lentek mosquito magnet about four years ago, and so far, I have noticed very little difference in the mosquito population on my acre lot. Unfortunately, I can't recommend them.