Mosquito traps & MAD DEER DISEASE

patrickg · Aug 1, 2002

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/Item/Default.asp?SKU=65342#

Now $299 WAS $599.99 This is the 20lb propane bottle fired mosquito attractor destroyer available from several sources for over $500.

Given the rapid penetration of the mosquito carried West Nile Virus into parts of the country, these mosquito machines may become a prudent investment and not be a luxury.

And while on the subject of public/rural health: There seems to be an analog to mad cow disease in the deer and elk population and it has killed some hunters who ate their game. BAD BAMBI!!!!

Patrick

Golfgar4 · Aug 2, 2002

"Now $299 WAS $599.99 This is the 20lb propane bottle fired mosquito attractor destroyer available from several sources for over $500."

Hey, this has to be a good product, right? After all, Paul Harvey advertises it on his radio show!

I can buy a lot of bug spray for $299.00!! /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Bird · Aug 2, 2002

In spite of an unusually wet Spring and early Summer, we've just had very few mosquitoes; however, we do have huge swarms of dragon flies and, according to a recent story in the newspaper, as well as other sources, they are eating mosquitoes and other small flying insects. I certainly hope so.

gmason · Aug 2, 2002

Actually, Paul Harvey ads are for the Mosquito Magnet product. Same idea, with the propane tank and suction fan.

gary

Golfgar4 · Aug 2, 2002

"Actually, Paul Harvey ads are for the Mosquito Magnet product."

Yup, you're right! /w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif

It is the same price at $299.00. And I can still buy a lot of bug spray for that!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

patrickg · Aug 2, 2002

Golfgar4,
Why sure, you could bathe in DEET a lot cheaper. I would prefer permethrin on my clothes but need DEET cream in time release formula for my neck and ears. Some folks like the idea of removing the mosquito "problem" from an area, say for a BBQ or for kids playing in the yard (kids can be much less tollerant of DEET) and not have to hose all the guests down with Viet Nam Jungle Juice.

Got a new "Sportsman's Guide" catalog today. Same unit is $269 (cat # HX2K-63409) and claims to run for 3-4 weeks on 20lb of propane. Mentions that mosquitos don't range too widely from where they hatch so you really draw down the resident population as you operate the device in the same location.

www.http://sportsmansguide.com/

I can get you contact info on 55gal drums of DEET if you want to get serious about mosquitos. Maybe a semi-automatic CO2 powered shotgun/pistol that shoots #20 or so shot. wing shooting mosquitos might catch on.

Patrick

patrickg · Aug 2, 2002

Bird, Yea verily, dragon flies are HK units for small flying insects. They are marvels! Their tiny little brains are wired to calculate an intercept on small flying targets. I heard a story (unconfirmed but believable) that a guy was showing folks how accurate he was with BB gun by shooting dragon flies on the wing, using fairly distant ones as targets. Supposedly the science behind this feat was that the dragon fly sees the BB coming and moves to intercept it. BAD mistake for Mr. Dragon fly! I don't have a grudge against dragon flies and like them on the job eating the bugs that bug me so I don't shoot them but it sounded reasonable.

Patrick

Golfgar4 · Aug 2, 2002

"I can get you contact info on 55gal drums of DEET if you want to get serious about mosquitos."

Thanks for the offer, but I think 1 gallon would be sufficient to get me through the rest of my life. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

You made some very valid points, Patrick. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to want to throw a witty little remark out there! Not that I didn't mean it. I did.

Maybe I should've added that we're some of the luckier ones around that just don't have that much of a problem with the pesky little things. For one thing, I try to stay out of the grass or their breeding areas at or after dusk. That helps keeping them from getting riled up. We have a fairly large patio area, so we can enjoy a pleasant evening without having to wander around in the yard or the woods, but we can still have a pretty good barbecue with a lot of our friends.

Now granted, our kids are grown and gone, and since we don't even have any grandkiddies running around, that doesn't present a problem. The occassional visits from our nephews and nieces very seldom caused any problem. But I can see where an active family with a lot of kids running around could benefit from one of these systems.

So you see, buying one of these "couple of hundred dollar" mosquito extermination systems just doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me. But hey, more power to the guys who want it. Whatever trips their triggers! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

patrickg · Aug 2, 2002

Golfgar4, If you have no mosquito problem (by whatever means), then you are fortunate indeed, considering the rapid spread of West Nile Virus. My dad didn't have a mosquito problem either, he took my mom fishing with him to use her for a mosquito magnet. Well actually different folkks have different body chemistry nuances and mosquitos just didn't bite my dad. On the other hand, some of us, mom and I included, are virtual mosquito magnets, my wife is pretty good fodder for the buggers as well. Still, I haven't purchased one of those propane skeeter eaters, yet. If the price drops much more, I probably will. Might be a good investment considering the mosquito carried disease angle. Given that we are just getting started building a house near two ponds, a mosquito reduction appliance might not be too bad an idea. Maybe next year.

Oh by the way, to take a poke at another myth... Purple martins have a giant reputaton for eating mosquitos. All the farm stores and catalogs have advertising copy raving about the advantages of buying their martin houses for natural mosquito control. I like purple martins and think watching them feed on bugs via their aerial antics is entertaining BUT according to the research results that I read they don't eat mosquitos. Seems the research project used surveilance to ID what purple martins brought to the nest to feed their young. Ornithologists agree that the young get fed the same species that the adults eat. No mosquitos were brought to any of the young by any of the purple martin parents. Still, they eat a lot of flying insects, are fun to watch, and I still like them but their mosquito eating reputation is mythical.

Patrick

alco141 · Aug 2, 2002

chronic wasting disease...

i have not heard of any person contracting chronic wasting disease. does anyone have a source of information about humans being infected with this by animals?

alex