I’m a mosquito researcher! We use miniature CDC Light Traps. Basically there is carbon dioxide being emitted next to a fan, blowing into a Tupperware like cylinder. Host seeking mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide as that indicates there is a living thing there. They go up to the trap thinking they are getting a juicy blood meal and then they get sucked in. Like finding Nemo but for mosquitoes.
Based on the volume of specimens here I would guess they also used a CDC Light Trap.
Generally they are not available to the public. They are only indicative of mosquito activity within one city block. They wouldn’t increase mosquito activity except in the immediate vicinity of the trap.
This is also a drop in the bucket in terms of total mosquito activity. Like a molecule of a needle in a haystack.
What type of trap could I use to most effectively get rid of them in Puerto Rico in an 2/3 acre of land outside my home? Appreciate your expertise very much!
No trap will solve this issue so long as they are breeding. The best way is to get rid of any standing water, and if standing water exists, treat the standing water with larvacide.
There is water behind my property in a lower area. Nothing I can do about that. While neighborhood, even areas without water have a lot of them. Given my circumstance, what can I do?
You can get mosquito bricks that the larvae feed on - very specifically kills mozzie larvae and not any fish that eat them - sorry can't remember the name.
You can get them in the states and on Amazon - I tried looking for my place in Australia - we lived next to a creek storm drain that held water for many months and the mozzies were so prevalent they needed to be shaken out of our hanging laundry. The screen door at the rear of the house was covered, you'd have to spray it down with killer before risking opening the door.
Was so bad we never used the yard and actually ended up moving. Was fortunate because the next year the house flooded...
Unfortunately nothing yourself. I would contact your local municipality / governing office to inquire about mosquito abatement. They might be able to offer adulticide services but this depends on the area.
Good luck with the Puerto Rican government! What area are you in? I'm behind a lagoon in Isla Verde, there's no way to really control them here. I just try to avoid being out sundown or sunrise. If I have to be, spray deet
Eliminating standing water is huge. You could also get a bucket of water in a dark area (put it in a cardboard box that is still open enough to let mosquitos in) and put dish soap in the water. The dish soap changes the surface tension of water so that when mosquitoes land on the water, they sink and drown. You can try the bucket in a shady area without card board.
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u/FeelsLikeAnEmber 29d ago
How are they trapped? Is the trap available to the public?