CO2 emitters to ward off mosquito's - works?

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Practical experiences with propane and vinegar/baking soda CO2 emitters for mosquito control reveal mixed effectiveness. These devices aim to attract mosquitoes by mimicking the CO2 emitted by animals, which is a primary attractant for these pests. While they may work in small, controlled areas like screened porches, their efficacy in attracting all mosquitoes in a larger neighborhood is questionable. The success of these emitters often depends on the specific mosquito population and the surrounding environment. Effective mosquito control primarily involves eliminating breeding sites, such as standing water, rather than solely relying on attractants. Additionally, high concentrations of CO2 can be lethal to mosquitoes, but this poses risks to humans as well. Overall, while CO2 emitters can complement other methods like UV attractors and bug zappers, they should not be the sole strategy for mosquito management.
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Anyone have practical experience with the propane (or vinegar/baking soda) CO2 emitters which purport to reduce mosquito problems? End of biting season for this year, but would like to have an effective approach for next year.
 
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Oops. This should be in the product claims sub-forum, but I don't know how to move it there.
 
Mosquitoes use CO2 from animal exhalations to find their prey, so it seems logical that it would work. I would need more data to assess it in more depth other than saying that it seems feasible.
 
The emitters work in conjuction with UV attractors and bug zappers to more effectively attract the mosquitos.

On the other hand, if you fill a room with 50% CO2 gas, the mosquitos will die.
 
Yeah, they don't ward them off, they attract them to the bug zapper (the lights mostly attract moths, not mosquitoes).

How well they work really depends on how many mosquitoes you need to control. If you have a limited area you need to control mosquitoes (like a screened porch where you just want to kill the few who sneak in the doors), it's probably going to work, but if you're trying to attract every mosquito in the neighborhood to the zapper instead of to you, that's probably wishful thinking.

Important things for controlling mosquitoes mostly involve getting rid of their breeding grounds...standing water. Change the water in bird baths daily, make sure there aren't any buckets or old tires or flower pots collecting water that is just sitting, keep pools properly chlorinated, stuff like that.
 
mugaliens said:
The emitters work in conjuction with UV attractors and bug zappers to more effectively attract the mosquitos.

On the other hand, if you fill a room with 50% CO2 gas, the mosquitos will die.

Interesting, how would that effect an adult person ?
 
yaang said:
Interesting, how would that effect an adult person ?

Adult will die much earlier.

At this moment adding more carbon dioxide is a waste of gas, as mosquitoes are no longer a threat.
 
Thanks for the heads up
 
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