Introducing the Mosquito Magnet

Turn on a Mosquito Magnet by American Biophysics Corporation (ABC) and say goodbye to your mosquito problems! This new item is at the top of the new wave of machines called mosquito traps, which use nifty scientific methods to trap and kill mosquitoes. Interestingly, the "magnet" that draws the mosquitoes in is one of the major components of your breath: carbon dioxide.

Zeroing in on carbon dioxide

All large animals exhale carbon dioxide, and large animals mean plenty of blood. To female mosquitoes, blood = food. Female mosquitoes are driven by a biological imperative that makes them go after blood to nurture their eggs (the males don't bite). A magnet trap, like those made by ABC, uses both carbon dioxide and an attractant called octenol to attract mosquitoes and similar insects. Octenol makes mosquitoes several times more interested in the carbon dioxide than they would be normally, and when they fly into the vicinity of the magnet, they're sucked in and die. Although you have to get rid of the dead mosquitoes and add more octenol occasionally, the traps are more or less set-and-forget.

Sounds great - what's the cost?

ABC makes a variety of magnet traps. Their prices depend on the size of the area they can clear of mosquitoes, and what they use as an energy source. Most use propane, but one high-end magnet trap uses solar energy. The base price for a low-end propane-powered model that might clear a backyard is in excess of $300. The solar-powered Pro models retail at over $1,000. A worthwhile investment to keep your yard clear and your family safe from mosquito bites for a good, long time.