Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Mosquito Zapper and other Mosquito Control topics.

Why do bug zappers catch so few mosquitoes?

Effectiveness of Mosquito Zappers

* That mosquito zapper hanging in your yard does not catch very many mosquitoes because it does not necessarily target them.

Female mosquitoes (the ones that bite) are attracted to mammals, not lights. When they are far distances away from potential prey, mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide (because that generally means that a breathing mammal is nearby). As they get closer to the potential prey, they begin to sense body heat (more specifically blood near a skin surface) and they are lured to the source. Bug zappers emit neither carbon dioxide nor body heat. More modern devices for killing mosquitoes lure them by mimicking the cues female mosquitoes look for when searching for a blood meal--these are wiser purchases.

Comments

6/3/2011 6:39:01 AM
Michael said:

This is top-of-the-line advice. I rated it excellent because of how many people assume high effectiveness from those units and tell their guest to sit near those things and forget about being mosquito food.

Ask a Question

Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Mosquito Control Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!

Guru Spotlight

Barbara Gibson

Ever wonder how you could make your life better and more fun? So have tens of millions of fans who have turned to LifeTips for answers over the past decade. We keep the tips, advice, books, podcasts and writing services flowing, so you can keep your life and business growing in the right direction. Upward!