Mosquitoes can trasmit a variety of potentially fatal diseases.
In addition to being bothersome, especially when they bite and leave behind itchy bumps, mosquitoes and other bugs can be dangerous. As CBS News notes, mosquitoes can transmit a number of potentially life-threatening diseases, including dengue fever, encephalitis, malaria and West Nile virus. If you are looking to exterminate the mosquitoes and other bugs in and around your home, there are several options. Does this Spark an idea?
Traps
According to Colorado State University Extension, mosquito traps, also known as attract and kill devices, release octenol and carbon dioxide in order to draw mosquitoes and other biting bugs, like flies and midges, inside, where they can then electrocute and kill them. Humans and other mammals, which are prey items for mosquitoes, produce the above compounds while exhaling, which is why mosquitoes are attracted to the traps: they think there is food nearby. The majority of mosquito traps burn propane in order to generate the compounds, although some models may rely solely on other attractants, such as scented baits.
Vacuums
Vacuums are special types of traps that, in addition to attractants like octenol and carbon dioxide, use the power of suction to pull in mosquitoes and other pesky bugs. As CBS News notes, instead of electrocuting the mosquitoes, vacuums typically suck them in to a storage bag where they succumb to dehydration.
Foggers
Foggers are devices that you can use to "spray bomb" mosquitoes, or poison them with a quick, fatal dose of chemicals. As Colorado State University Extension notes, the majority of foggers operate with pyrethroid or pyrethrin-based compounds, which manufacturers produce from pyrethrum flowers. Common options include natural pyrethrins and synthesized resmethrin compounds, which are short-lived, meaning their fatal effects will dissipate rapidly. This makes foggers short-term mosquito and bug-killing options, great for taking out large groups in a single swoop. According to the above source, for best results you should use them during dusk, when mosquitoes are typically most active. For a longer-lasting mosquito spray bomb, fill your fogger with permethrin, which has a longer period of lethality in comparison to the above compounds.
Zappers
Unlike mosquito traps, which use complex attractants, mosquito and bug zappers rely solely on the attractive power of ultraviolet light. When a bug is drawn in close enough, a high voltage electrical component will provide a fatal shock, producing a distinctive buzzing sound. As Popular Mechanics mentions, these classic bug-killing devices, in addition to providing outdoor lighting, are also a source of entertainment for some people.
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