Solving The Mosquito Problem
It’s peak mosquito season in Brooklyn right now and many people are avoiding their backyards as a result. After hearing all the complaints, we’ve actually been surprised at how tolerable the situation is in our own garden. Nevertheless, an alternative to slathering on insect repellent would be welcome. The Times last week wrote about one…
It’s peak mosquito season in Brooklyn right now and many people are avoiding their backyards as a result. After hearing all the complaints, we’ve actually been surprised at how tolerable the situation is in our own garden. Nevertheless, an alternative to slathering on insect repellent would be welcome. The Times last week wrote about one potential solution–the Mosquito Magnet. Here’s how it works: The machine uses a propane tank that dispenses carbon dioxide mixed with an attractant; a vacuum nozzle then sucks in an kills the pests. Prices range from $199 to about $850, depending on the model. Sounds good to us. Anyone ever used one?
How It Works [Mosquito Magnet]
Help! Mosquitoes [NY Times]
I’ve got the executive model with counterflow technology and it works wonders. I mean the thing is amazing. I recommend it to everyone as the best mosquito trap out there. Check them out on http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/store/mosquito-magnet-traps/by-trap-model/executive
Peace
For the people that are worried about the amount of co2 that is given off by a mosquito magnet, why don’t you quit breathing, you give off more co2 than a moquito magnet
For the people that are worried about the amount of co2 that is given off by a mosquito magnet, why don’t you quit breathing, you give off more co2 than a moquito magnet
For the people that are worried about the amount of co2 that is given off by a mosquito magnet, why don’t you quit breathing, you give off more co2 than a moquito magnet
I wish I could say that Queens doesn’t have a mosquito problem, but I live in Forest Hills, and this has been by far the worst mosquito season
(maybe because we are close to Forest Park?). I’ve certainly noticed new insect types over the past few years as well-global warming??
This summer I can’t step outside for more than a minute without being bitten, whereas only last year I worked for hours in our small garden without a bite!
my brother, who lives in suburban Mass., bought one of those Mosquito Magnets and says it’s the only thing that works.
Since the price is a bit high, and we don’t have a big yard, I just bought the Stinger bug killer (around $40), which uses some of the same attracting ingredients. Hope it’ll work!
I like the mosquito coils. They’re spiral-shaped punks or incense quite common in Asia. People have told me they were made of chrysanthemums and/or seashells. Sometimes you need more than one, but they are much more effective than citronella. Then again, since they smolder, I guess they release co2.
Much of brownstone Brooklyn, having formerly been swamps or sitting rather near to swampy area (such as the Gowanus Canal) is prime mosquito territory. When I lived in Park Slope my yard was a no-go zone for much of the summer, and even more so if it had rained heavily like it did this year. I don’t begrudge anyone the venting of small amounts of CO2 in order to regain the use of their yard. After all, people vent small amounts of CO2 as well.
Strangely enough, I have found little or no mosquito problem since moving to Queens. I wonder if that’s a permanent condition, or, as suggested above, an artifact of West Nile spraying?
clearly some of you don’t spend alot of time outside in the city–at least not in backyards or gardens. our community garden next door was so full of mosquitos that you couldn’t spend more than a few minutes there without getting some serious chomp. no kidding, and no exaggeration.
here’s what we started using, which seems to work great, and it’s made almost entirely of garlic:
http://www.mosquitobarrier.com/
so far it has worked phenomenally. so much better than expected…no bites so far!
Quibbling over the co2 of these things is ridiculous. I don’t have one, but I don’t see much wrong with it. I think the person who said they don’t use AC in the summer but sit outside instead makes a great point. Come on, people. Do any of you finger pointers have cars? Take taxis? Use AC? These seem like much bigger impacts on the environment than this silly little machine.