Electronic devices for mosquito & bug control

[Saturation]

I've seen these devices for sale at Discovery Channel. They emit a high frequency whine and are supposed to repel bugs.

Scores of mosquito bites later, I returned the device. Does anyone know if such devices work under any conditions?

 

[pufferfish]

To the best of my knowledge there is no scientific evidence these things work. I spent three days about a decade ago having to learn how to identify mosquito species and as part of that course we looked at mosquito control. In order to repel mosquitos you need to know what they home in on.

As mosquitos need blood to survive they must have a way to home in on blood bearing mammals and birds. Thus the number one attractant is your CO2 plume from respiration. I forget the number, but those pesky insects can detect CO2 down to parts per million up to something like a kilometer away.

The other less sigificant attractants were odour, heat, and colour in that order. They like blue as it looks like water and so biege is best. The number one odour they are repeled by is DEET. This is the only thing that works in conjunction with wearing light colours and not breathing.

One of our radio stations up here advertises that they play a high pitched sonic noise in the background which works to repel mosquitos so one should play their station while outdoors! A great marketing scheme but pure hogwash.

There is a seven page article in the May 2003 Consumer Reports on mosquito control. Lots of good info.

 

[Saturation]

Many thanks!

 

[Grajan]

Not sure what your application is but in a residential context CO2 traps work superbly.

They emit a plume of CO2 (with attractant) that lures female mosquitos to the source where they are literally vacuumed up. The effect is not immediate but in four to six weeks the local breeding population is decimated.

Here are some examples.

We have a large one in the courtyard of our townhomes to very good effect.

Not going to work on a boat..............