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Summer is a time for the great outdoors. Sadly, this has health risks, specifically in the form of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Most of us are familiar with those annoying, itchy mosquito bites. But mosquitoes are worse than just an annoyance because some carry West Nile virus. Fortunately, there are many forms of mosquito protection for your family. Chemical Repellants and Insecticides: DEET, Permethrin DEET has been around for more than 50 years and remains an extremely popular choice for limiting mosquito bites. DEET, however, is not a mosquito killer, but a repellant. DEET can be sprayed directly on skin, but users should avoid getting it on their mouths or near their eyes. Since saturation provides no additional benefit, DEET should be sprayed sparingly on exposed skin and underneath clothing that can be penetrated by a mosquito. It should be washed off immediately upon returning inside. DEET, as a repellant, will not kill mosquitoes, so these pests can live to bite another day. DEET must also be reapplied every time you are outdoors during mosquito season. Permethrin is a mosquito killer found in the consumer brand Permanone. It’s usually sprayed on clothes and kills mosquitoes on contact for up to two weeks. It acts as a neurotoxin to insects, but generally has low mammalian toxicity, although it can be toxic to cats. Certain clothes, such as camping gear, are pretreated with Permanone, and will serve as mosquito killers up to 25 washes. The Most Effective Mosquito Killers: Mosquito Traps Chemicals such as DEET and Permethrin are effective only when applied regularly. These methods are considered short-term solutions to mosquito control. For a long-term solution, consider a mosquito killer, such as a mosquito trap. Mosquito traps dramatically reduce the mosquito population in your yard by disrupting the mosquito breeding cycle. These mosquito killers are proven to be highly effective at attracting mosquitoes the same way humans do—by emitting carbon dioxide. This emission, along with a chemical attractant, entices mosquitoes from their hiding places, such as pools of standing water and hard to find breeding areas under hedges. When the mosquitoes get near the mosquito killer, they are pulled into the device’s suction and are ensnared in an interior net. Unlike insecticides, this type of mosquito killer runs continuously throughout the mosquito season to ensure the disruption of the breeding cycle. Since mosquito populations do not increase in temperatures below 50 degrees fahrenheit, some mosquito traps are programmed to shut down in lower temperatures to conserve energy. Mosquito Killer Placement is Essential to Success The best place for a mosquito trap is between mosquito breeding areas and your living area. Popular breeding areas for mosquitoes include hedges, bushes, stagnant water sources, and gardens. You will want to position your trap close to these breeding grounds for maximum efficiency. Mosquitoes initially sense the carbon dioxide emitted from mosquito traps. Next, the attractant helps hone them in on the target. This attractant will vary, depending on your location. Octenol is typically recommended for use in the northern half of the United States. In the South, Lurex is generally more effective. Lurex is also recommended when Octenol seems ineffective. It’s very important that you remember to change the attractant cartridge in the mosquito killer every 21 days, as the substance will run out with constant use. Every time you turn off your mosquito trap, breeding can occur, so proper maintenance is essential. In addition to replenishing the attractant, keep your trap’s propane tank full. Maintenance for Your Mosquito Killer Means Better Performance Regular maintenance should be employed when starting the trap for the season, throughout the season, and when storing it during colder months. The trap should be covered securely to keep insects from hibernating inside, thereby clogging the unit. When shutting down the trap and putting the trap back in service for the season, use a Quick-Clear cartridge prior to start-up. Any dampness could hinder performance. The trap should be allowed to dry out in the sun with the cover off before starting. During the season, in addition to replenishing the propane and attractant, it is important to replace the mosquito nets when they become clogged or damaged to ensure proper airflow. Also, dead mosquitoes can accumulate in the side vents. These should be kept clear as well. When kept in proper working condition, mosquito killers are more effective. Maintain your traps for optimum performance, so they dramatically reduce the mosquito population in your yard.
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