Science Forums 2

[Michaelangelica]

Trapping and killing mosquitoes seems to me the way to go to control mosquitoes populations and the diseases they spread.

Most commercial traps work on using CO2 as an attractant.
Most are expensive (over $1,000.00) and need re-charging with CO2.

I don't like "Bug Zappers" because they kill good and "bad' bugs indiscriminately.

The Permaculture Forums have details of a cheap, home made Japanese trap that uses Yeast as a source of CO2. Cheap and effective
The link is here:-
View topic - All natural low-tech mosquito killing machine - Permaculture discussion forum

I have been told that mosquitoes are attracted also to the smell of the human hormone progesterone. This is the reason women are said to be bitten more frequently than most ( but not all ) males.
The female mosquito is the only one that bites & it is said she needs progesterone in order to lay eggs.
I can't find anything about this on the web.
Does anyone know if this is true?
or
Does anyone know where we can get some progesterone to test the theory?

I imagine that if we got rid of mosquito larvae completely frogs and small fish would go hungry?

Perhaps we need to zero in on just the deadly mozzies and not disrupt the ecology by indiscriminate killing of ALL mosquitoes.

"There are more than 3,000 different types of mosquitoes in the world," Lian said. "Out of those, only 80 bite."

Of the 80, he added, only 15 are endemic to Taiwan.

"Many varieties are fascinating creatures," Lian said.

He gave mosquitoes of the genus Malaya or "taro mosquitoes," as one such example.

"I call them taro mosquitos because their larvae can often be found in the water-filled cavities formed by leaf axils of the taro plant," he said. "Like many mosquitoes, they feed on nectar, but they way they do it is unique -- they target passing ants and literally rob the nectar that's already in their gullets."

"Other mosquitos help us control their disease-spreading relatives," Lian said.

The giant mosquito, or Toxorhynchite, for example, does not bite humans.

"It is therefore the mosquito we use to produce the dengue fever virus," Lian said. "That way, we do not risk accidentally infecting our staff and others."

"Toxorhynchite larvae are also cannibalistic," Lian said. "They need to disperse their eggs as they are laid so that their offspring will not eat each other. They have been used with some success as biological control agents for other mosquito larvae."

The nation's foremost expert on mosquitoes confirmed what many have suspected for a long time -- that mosquitoes really do prefer biting some people more than others.

"There are three conditions necessary to attract mosquitoes," he said. "Carbon dioxide, body heat and lactic acid in the skin."

"If you have a high body temperature and sweat heavily -- which causes you to have lactic acid on your skin -- you might get more mosquito bites,"

Taipei Times - archives

There are heaps of newspaper links on community mosquito control in the USA for West Nile virus. All seem to involve spraying.
None say what spray is being used.
Does anyone know?

Mosquito Control Tips
Mosquito Traps, Mosquito Trap, CO2 Mosquito Trap

the good news so far about West Nile virus does not mean area residents should be less vigilant about mosquitoes, Brown said.

People should continue to check their yards for standing water -- a prime site for mosquito eggs -- and limit outside activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Those who do venture outside should use insect repellent such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to the mosquito district's literature

News - Pigeons combat West Nile in creative sting operation - sacbee.com
Most lemon oils are said to help repel some mosquitoes.

Some other control methods
LOW TECH

The United Nations Foundation created the Nothing But Nets campaign 10 months ago to persuade people to donate $10 to pay for a mosquito net to prevent the spread of malaria in Africa. So far, the campaign has raised at least $4.2-million from more than 4,000 participants who have used the campaign's Web site to make an online donation, form a fund-raising — or "Netraiser" — team, or join a team created by someone they know.How can I help?
Send a net and save a life.You can save a life by making a $10 donation at
Nothing But Nets Campaign. It’s that easy, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match your donation, net for net.

http://www.nothingbutnets.net/files/...grdr_Final.pdf
Tried three email address for this Org. all bounced. Bit of a worry.
I asked
Are the nests you distribute impregnated with chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT or organophosphates?
Community Mobilization: Chronicle Of Philanthropy Article

back to the mosquitoes. At the home show we found this great new system that uses natural oils to repel or kill mosquitoes (you can choose straight cedar oil to repel them or use a blend of several other oils that will kill them instead). The system consists of a large drum, tubing, and little teeny nozzles that are connected to it and they can build the little nozzles right into the soffit area of our house so you can’t even see them. It is on a timer and sprays the atomized solution out every so often depending on need. Instead of drawing every mosquito for miles like the propane type “mosquito magnet” things do, this serves to kill just the ones in our area and/or repel them.

The best part as far as I am concerned is that you don’t have to fuss with it much as the drum will last at least three months, possibly longer depending on how many nozzles are installed. So there is no lugging propane tanks around to get them filled. And the stuff is environmentally safe. It supposedly will not harm beneficial insects and has even been proven safe to frogs and toads. I wouldn’t want to hurt the poor toads!

Tortoise Hollow » Buggy solutions

This inexpensive trap looks OK
Anyone any first hand experience of traps?

The Natural Attractant Mosquito Trap. at Hammacher Schlemmer
The Natural Attractant Mosquito Trap.
Winner of an IENA award for invention, this is the superior insect trap that uses no pesticides, yet mimics the natural conditions of human habitation by emitting light, warmth, and carbon dioxide to attract, trap, and kill nuisance insects, unlike propane gas systems that require refills, or electrocution systems that pose sanitation problems by releasing pathogens into the air when an insect is disintegrated.
The carbon dioxide attractant is generated when warm ultraviolet rays from two flourescent bulbs irradiate the traps funnel which is coated with titanium dioxide; carbon dioxide is the same gas expelled by humans during respiration and is the primary source of attraction for mosquitoes.
Once insects enter the funnel at the upper par t of the trap, they are suctioned and immobilized into the traps retaining cage by a quiet fan where they remain until they die of starvation.
The trap has a range of 21,780' sq., and it can be used indoors our outdoors; plugs into AC. 12 3/4" H x 10" Diam. (3 1/2 lbs.)

Item 73717 ................... $129.95

HIGH TECH

Green-Eyed Monster?

If you ever spot a green-eyed mosquito, try not to swat it. Those fluorescent peepers belong to a genetically modified malaria-resistant strain. Malaria kills a million people every year, but also affects the health of the mosquitoes that pass it on. The modified mosquitoes should therefore be fitter, and so out-compete their disease-carrying cousins.

The research, described in the early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), uses a genetically engineered strain of malaria-resistant mosquito to out-compete natural mosquitoes when fed malaria-infected blood.

Mauro T. Marrelli, Chaoyang Li, Jason L. Rasgon, and Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena introduced equal numbers of mosquitoes genetically engineered to be resistant to malaria into natural mosquito populations. They found that after nine generations, "70% of the mosquitoes were transgenic versus 50% at the beginning of the experiment."

Genetically engineered mosquitoes could help control malaria

I am told kerosene or cooking oil works as a larvacide?
Anyone know for sure?

Mosquito Larvicides
Larviciding is the application of insecticides targeted at immature mosquitoes (the larvae or pupae). These mosquito control systems are applied to bodies of water harboring the larvae. However, since larvae do not usually occupy the entire body of water, larvicides are applied only where the larvae reside (usually the areas near the shoreline of the lake, stream, or ditch). Larvicides differ from adulticides in that they are directed at a limited targeted area (i.e. the body of water and often only that area where the larvae grow and mature).

Mosquito Control, Mosquito Control System, Mosquito Control Product

The American Mosquito Control Association is an international, scientific association dedicated to providing leadership, information, and education leading to the enhancement of health and quality of life through the suppression of mosquitoes and other vector transmitted diseases. Founded in 1935, membership extends to more than 50 countries, and includes individuals and public agencies engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research and related activities.

For more information about AMCA or the 73rd Annual Meeting, contact: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel NJ 08054; phone: 856-439-9222; fax: 856-439-0525; email: amca@mosquito.org or visit the Web site at American Mosquito Control Association.

PCT Online :: News :: American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting Set for April 1-5

Australian Traps $AUD600-$900.
Perhaps concils could invest in these in outdoor area where people gather?
What is "octenol" attractant made from?
Mosquito Traps Australia - Product Info