Please Note: Propane Tanks not included!
Midge Magnets are designed for use with 11, 13 or 15 Kg propane tanks. 11Kg is recommended because replacing it will coincide with replacing the octenol after approx. 21 days.

Who makes the Mosquito Magnet range
American Biophysics Corporation in consultation for a decade with the US Dept. of Agriculture and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Mosquito Magnet as an effective, consumer-friendly biting insect trap. For consumer use.

What attracts biting insects to us?
Our breath. Carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, and heat that result from exhaling lets the female midge know that there is a blood meal in the area. She will navigate to you by following the plume of CO2.

How does the Mosquito Magnet work?
Mimicking human breath, a warm, moist carbon dioxide plume is produced from propane gas to attract the blood-seeking insects. As the biting insects approach the source, they are vacuumed into a net where they dehydrate and die. The Mosquito Magnet also uses octenol, which when combined with carbon dioxide, enhances the catch rate for certain species of mosquitoes and midges.

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.

Which biting insects will the Mosquito Magnet capture?
Female blood seeking insects such as midges & mosquitoes.

Will the Mosquito Magnet 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.

Where should I place the Mosquito Magnet?
We recommend that you place the Mosquito Magnet where the midges rest (foliage) and breed (water), not near people. It is best to place the trap 30 feet from the area you want cleared. If placed properly the Mosquito Magnet will draw the midges to it and away from you. It is strongly recommended not to place machines directly in bushes or hedges. You do not want to obstruct the flow of the plume! Likewise buildings, thick hedges and similar objects, act as a barrier. This must be factored into your placement.

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.

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.

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?'

What maintenance is necessary to keep the Mosquito Magnet running effectively?
A 11Kg propane tank should be replaced every month 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 around £20 / month operational cost. (We recommend having a full tank on-hand to swap out. The midges will quickly repopulate if the Mosquito Magnet is turned off.) The net should be emptied when it is half full.

Is the Mosquito Magnet cost-effective?
Yes. Estimated propane costs are relatively small but of course this depends on the cost of propane gas in your area. The Mosquito Magnet Liberty consumes no more electricity than an electric clock.

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.