Noseeums in Roatan

[archman]

... is that many winged blood-suckers (i.e. mosquitoes) are less attracted to smokers than non-smokers. The little er, buggers cue in on the carbon dioxide trail made by hosts... which is diminished somewhat by cigarette's carbon monoxide emissions. Talk about a finicky chemical detector!

 

[cliffdiver]

... is that many winged blood-suckers (i.e. mosquitoes) are less attracted to smokers than non-smokers. The little er, buggers cue in on the carbon dioxide trail made by hosts... which is diminished somewhat by cigarette's carbon monoxide emissions. Talk about a finicky chemical detector!

yeah, y'know, I've heard about that, that mosquitos home in on increased CO2 levels (a chemical gradient), from as far away as 8 - 10 feet; they "taste" it, and fly right on down the gradient to a meal.

I've never actually seen the scientific, published evidence for that, but to me it makes sense. I'm a very active athlete (aside from diving), and have figured for some time that my increased O2/CO2 exchange probably explains part of why I'm so delicious to these suckers.

 

[Charlie99]

When I have been bit, bitten, bighten, whatever - the red spots didn't bother me, but some are bothered. Keep antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams handy, just in case.

If my pollen allergies are active, then any insect bites really swell up and itch. For me, Benadryl Gel really helps to keep down the itching and swelling (Dephenhydramine Hydrochloride 2%).

Good for fire coral & stinging hydroids too.

Charlie Allen

 

[Charlie99]

yeah, y'know, I've heard about that, that mosquitos home in on increased CO2 levels (a chemical gradient), from as far away as 8 - 10 feet; they "taste" it, and fly right on down the gradient to a meal.

I've never actually seen the scientific, published evidence for that, but to me it makes sense.

The makers of the Mosquito Magnet have quite a bit of info about mosquitos and no-see-ums on their website. The unscientific proof that matters to me is that after running the mosquito magnet at my Mass. beachfront home for about 4 weeks, the no-see-um and mosquito population has dramatically fallen, and we can go outdoors at sunset without being eaten alive anymore.

 

[DandyDon]

The makers of the Mosquito Magnet have quite a bit of info about mosquitos and no-see-ums on their website. The unscientific proof that matters to me is that after running the mosquito magnet at my Mass. beachfront home for about 4 weeks, the no-see-um and mosquito population has dramatically fallen, and we can go outdoors at sunset without being eaten alive anymore.

Looks great! Does it come in a backpack model...?

 

[Damselfish]

Looks great! Does it come in a backpack model...?

Seeing as the point is to attract the little buggers, don't think you want a backpack model!

Getting a bit off topic here, but I can vouch for the Mosquito Magnet too. We've had one for a few years and it really works great. I wonder if they could plant enough of the commercial models around a resort in Roatan to make a difference. I'm told part of the reason this thing works is that mosquitos don't travel far, so once an area is cleared out of mosquitos and they're not there laying eggs, it stays pretty cleared out. I don't know if the same is true of the noseeums there.