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Frequently Asked Questions
Also see our Troubleshooting guide
How does the Mosquito Magnet work?
Where do I position the Mosquito Magnet?
How many midges can I expect to capture?
How soon will I see a difference?
Is it possible to dramatically reduce the biting insect population in an area?
Will the trap capture bees, moths, butterflies, ladybirds or other beneficial insects?
What maintenance is necessary to keep the Mosquito Magnet running effectively?
How long does the attractant tablet last?
How high are the CO2 levels emitted into the air?
What attracts mosquitoes and other biting insects to us?
How long is the delivery time?
How does the Mosquito Magnet work?
Thirteen years after extensive field-testing, consumer testing and product engineering Midge Guard presents the most innovative biting insect technology ever, so effective it only attracts blood-seeking insects and DOES NOT harm beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees, and moths. The Mosquito Magnet is already used by the US military, department of agriculture and the centre for disease control!
Research has shown that it is the female midge which bites because she requires blood to nourish her eggs and that she is attracted to humans by exhaled carbon dioxide and a naturally occurring organic compound in our breath called Octenol. The female midge is able to detect the CO2 from 100 metres away!
The Mosquito Magnet® mimics human or mammal breath by catalytically converting Propane gas to carbon dioxide with heat and moisture. When combined with an additional Octenol attractant, the combined cocktail is irresistible to biting female midges, mosquitoes, horse flies, black flies, sand flies, birch flies and other blood-sucking flying insects.
Counter-flow Technology™
Counter-flow Technology™ allows the unit to emit a flow of carbon dioxide, heat and moisture to attract midges and mosquitoes, whilst simultaneously vacuuming up the attracted insects into a net where they dehydrate and die.
The advantage of this system is that it catalyzes very small quantities of propane over a long period of time without any breaks in performance and without the risk of fire. Catalytic reaction - no naked flame used in the process.
The Mosquito Magnet can be used as a temporary deterrent or it can be used as a more permanent solution. Virtually silent, the Magnet is designed to run safely 24 hours a day, to cause maximum disruption to the breeding cycle, permanently ridding your area of its midges and mosquitoes.
Using replaceable canisters of CO2 and pheromones it is a very cost effective solution. It can operate 24 hours a day for 26 days on a single 13Kg propane tank, and a whole season on one initial charge.
Where do I position the Mosquito Magnet?
To maximize the success of the Mosquito Magnet it is important to correctly place your trap so that the midges will be drawn to the Midge Magnet® instead of you. For optimum results, we would suggest you consider the guidelines below.
1. Determine where the mosquitoes are breeding
The Mosquito Magnet® must be positioned between the midges breeding areas (standing water, bushes) and people areas (patio, deck) in order to capture midges at their source, before they get to you.
2. Place the trap away from people areas
Place the trap as close to the breeding area and as far away from the activity as possible. Typically, 30-40 feet is far enough from human activity.
3. Place the trap upwind from the breeding area
Mosquitoes fly upwind looking for a meal. After a female midge bites its weight is doubled and it will float back downwind to the resting area.
4. Place trap in an open area
CO2 is heavier than air therefore it stays close to the ground. The midges will follow the CO2 plume to the trap. If it’s placed in high grass the flow of the plume will be impeded and the mosquitoes won't find it.
5. Place the trap in the shade
Midges don't like direct sunlight. Consequently, on overcast days and especially in the early morning and as the sun sets, midges come out of their resting places.
How many midges can I expect to capture?
The quantity of midges caught varies greatly, depending on your region's infestation level and how it is placed on your property. In tests in Scotland as many as 2.5 million were captured in one night with one machine. In more urban areas, catch results may be much less. A good yardstick is "Am I being bitten?"
How soon will I see a difference?
The Mosquito Magnet will begin trapping female midges immediately if placed properly in your garden. You should begin to see a difference within a few weeks. Within 4-6 weeks the midge breeding cycle will be interrupted, drastically reducing the population in your garden. Noticeable results have been observed in as little as 5 days!
Is it possible to dramatically reduce the biting insect population in an area?
Yes. 90% of the midges biting you live within 100 metres of where you are. The other 10% are brought in passively by the wind. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to detect your carbon dioxide beyond 100 metres. As the females are trapped, the generations are eliminated, thereby interrupting the breeding cycle in that area. This usually occurs after 4 to 6 weeks of continuous use.
Is the Mosquito Magnet quiet?
Yes. The only moving part is the internal fan, which has the same sound level as a standard desktop computer fan.
Will the trap capture bees, moths, butterflies, ladybirds or other beneficial insects?
No. Blood seeking insects have receptors in their maxillary palps (mouth parts) that sense carbon dioxide. Non-blood seeking insects, without these receptors, are not attracted.
What maintenance is necessary to keep the Mosquito Magnet running effectively?
A 11Kg propane tank and the octenol cartridge should be replaced every 21 days: the sytems all use just under 0.5 kg of gas per day. This equates to an operational cost of around £20 / month. (We recommend not allowing the tank to empty fully as gas impurities and the pressure drop can affect the performance of the machine). The net should be emptied regularly, before it is half full.
How long does the attractant tablet last?
The attractant tablet should last for approx 21 days use and should be replaced every 21 days.
How high are the CO2 levels emitted into the air?
Less than 0.5kg per day is emitted.
What attracts mosquitoes and other biting insects to us?
Our breathing! The combination of carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, and heat that results from exhaling attracts the female mosquitoes.
What is octenol?
Octenol (1-octen-3-ol) is a naturally occurring by-product that comes from plants and some animals, such as cows, that ingest large amounts of vegetable matter. It is irresistible to midges who can detect minute fluctuations of CO2 and Octenol in their environment from 100 yards away.
How long is the delivery time?
Standard service deliveries within the United Kingdom are made with a delivery time of 3 working days. Please allow an extra working day for delivery to remote areas.
Please note that all orders MUST be signed for on delivery. If no-one is available on the first day to accept delivery, a card will normally be left through the consignee's letter box advising an attempt to deliver had been made. The carrier will normally telephone before making another delivery attempt. Deliveries are attempted twice (first delivery day & normally next working day), thereafter parcels may have to be collected from the local delivery depot. Midge Guard cannot be held responsible for delivery delays caused outside of their control.
Can you deliver abroad?
Yes. Please contact us to discuss.
Can I hire a Mosquito Magnet?
Yes.
Midge Guard does not directly hire Mosquito Magnets, but they may be available to hire from your marquee supplier.
The Mosquito Magnet works at optimum capacity if it is left to run 24x7 for at least two weeks. The machine is designed to catch biting female midges and to disrupt their breeding cycle.
Therefore, if an event is being planned we would advise you to approach your provider and ask them to install a machine at least 2 – 4 weeks in advance.
If the function is planned well in advance; eg a wedding, it may be beneficial to purchase a Mosquito Magnet directly from Midge Guard the year before. Run the unit for the entire midge season, usually mid-May to late October. Then by repeating the process at the start of the season in year two the entire area should be virtually free of midges.