Our goal at Proven Pest Prevention is to help you take back the outdoors. We want for you to have a chance to win the battle when you go head to head against mosquitoes and all other biting insects. That is why you will discover information on our website that you will not find anywhere else. We will provide you with everything you need to know regarding propane mosquito traps. We provide unbiased reviews, honest explanations about how they work, and mosquito trap remedies to tell you how to fix common issues. We do the legwork so that you will not have to, because we like to know that your family is able, with our help, to get out, have more fun together, and enjoy a bug-free life. Just take a look at some of the information we will help you with.
Propane Mosquito Trap Vs Light Traps Vs Repellent
There are a lot of ways to combat insects that may be bugging you. They are all unique, but the premise behind them all is to make it easier and more enjoyable to get outside. The issue for most people is being sure which one is really the best way to handle bugs. The truth is, a propane mosquito trap is good if used in the right situation, same as a light trap or repellent. However, the first thing you need to know is how they work so that you can choose the best option for your home and your lifestyle.
Propane Mosquito Traps
A propane mosquito trap is the most expensive option, but for many it is also the most effective. There are several name brands that you may be familiar with. Each one will have their pros and cons. Some are very popular with users and others say that it does not work well enough for them. The main reason a propane mosquito trap will not eliminate mosquitoes is because a person does not maintain it properly and more importantly is not properly placed. You should clean them out regularly, change the propane when empty, and switch out the attractant when you notice that it is not drawing mosquitoes in.
You have to keep in mind, though, that a propane mosquito trap is designed to sit somewhere in your yard, preferably an area that you do not venture into. Ideally, it will be an area that is also a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects that fly. The propane will flow out when it is turned on, converting to CO2. It then mixes with an attractant to mimic a human being’s breath and body heat, both of which biting insects enjoy so it draws biting insects closer to it. Once they go near, a fan will pull them into the trap.
Some have nets that catch the insects, others like the Blue Rhino SkeeterVac have sticky tape traps. Either way, once the bugs go inside, they cannot get out. They will die. If you run it 24/7, as recommended, you should see an improvement in your yard within 7 days. Within a month’s time, you should be able to go outside without worry about getting bit by mosquitoes.
If you choose to purchase a propane trap, you should know that most traps do require you to change out the propane tank, the attractant, and the nets at around 21 days or three weeks. There are exceptions to this rule, but even then, you do not buy yourself much more time.
Light Mosquito Traps
Light traps are the traps you see that hang near a person’s home, often on a porch or deck. They are often called, “bug zappers” because they do “zap” bugs who are drawn to the light. There are light traps that can be used indoors or outside only. They are most effective when the sun goes down so that the purple, black light, is easy to see for bugs and they will be more likely to go toward the light.
The biggest issue many people have with this type of trap is the fact it can be annoying to hear it zapping while you are outside trying to enjoy an evening. It also draws bugs toward a home, which means you could end up with more bugs, at least for a little while after you put it up. This is why you should keep it near your home, but not close enough to bring bugs to where you are going to be. For instance, if you have a picnic table and enjoy dinners outside, you do not want to put the light trap near the table, your grill, or any place that you hope to relax.
An indoor light trap is smaller than the outdoor ones. Most have a tray under them that will catch bugs when they fall. They are great if you can use them in a room that you do not venture into during the night or a bedroom if you choose to turn it on before going to bed. They will annoy you more if you have them in your family room where you try and watch TV to wind down before bed.
A bonus to this type of trap is that one trap is never going to cost you anything more than a little bit of electricity. They do not cost much to purchase and the amount that they may increase your power bill, is very little. There are no nets, tapes, attractants, or anything else for you to buy.
Spray Insect Repellents
Insect repellent is probably the most difficult for people to embrace, especially if you think about all of the controversy over Deet being in many different brands of repellent. Repellent works well, but if you have sensitive skin, it could cause you a lot of issues. It also should not be used on small children or applied too often. There are natural repellents that do not contain harmful chemicals, but many people do not feel that they are as effective as the chemical sprays. It is a great, short term, or backup way of battling bugs, but do you really want to wear bug spray every day of the spring, summer, and fall?
Home Remedies
Many people do not want to spend a small fortune to protect themselves from mosquitoes. They do not want harmful chemicals or foggers that may eliminate the bugs for a short time, but they do not want to venture out and deal with the itches and potential disease that will follow. There is a lot of talk about home remedies for mosquito control. It is true, if you plant citronella or lemongrass around your home, you can immediately decrease the mosquitoes in your yard. They do not enjoy the smell of it. The downside is, you would have to plant a lot of citronella and lemongrass to cover an entire acre of land and keep mosquitoes off of it. The propane traps are able to draw mosquitoes to them and eliminate them and one trap can treat an entire acre of land.
There are also natural bug spray repellents that you can use. Often they are made with essential oils and they can make you almost invisible to insects. The best thing about them is that you have the option to use it as often as you need to, without worry about overexposing yourself to some harmful chemical. They are also safe for kids to use and will not cause a reaction for people with sensitive skin.
Take Back Your Summer
If you live in an area that is overrun with mosquitoes, such as near woods, standing water, near a pond or a lake, etc. you may want to consider implementing a couple of the mosquito eliminating products on the market at one time. Propane traps work great alongside other types of traps and sprays. There are foggers you can use for a quick-fix if you are planning to be outside and still have more mosquitos than you’d like. The important thing is, you must remain diligent in whatever method you choose to use. Therefore, even if you only use one of the best mosquito repellents or traps available, you should put effort into making your yard an unsavory place for them to breed.
To achieve this, you need to eliminate any areas that may hold water, such as leaf piles, dog water bowls, old tires, old wood, etc. If you are not able to eliminate the standing water because it is in a kiddy pool or the water dish, then you should at least consider dumping out water every day or two so that mosquitoes, gnats, and other insects are not able to use it for their breeding ground. It may take effort, and you may wonder if it is worth it to put in the effort, but the first warm summer’s night that you venture outside and you do not get bug bites all over; it will be worth it in every way.