Do these really work?
Mosquito Magnets have been around for years and they’re now big sellers on St. John. Do they work?
We fired one up to see how much of a difference it would make, and almost immediately it really did start attracting them. By day four or five it seemed like it was making a noticeable difference. Maybe?
The instructions say it takes 6 weeks to be fully effective (“disrupting their reproduction cycle.”)
One guy told us there is a special attractant especially for the island skeeters that somebody on St. Thomas sells. If you’ve heard of it, let us know!
July 20th, 2010 06:16
A friend’s house backs up to a large swamp (mosquito heaven) and she has used one of these for years. Her family can enjoy their pool and yard mosquito free for the entire summer. Note: our NH mosquitos may only last a couple months, but they are the size of seagulls!
July 20th, 2010 08:07
They work extremely well IF you have a prevailing wind and you can put the unit b/w the water, or source of mosquitos, and you.
If your wind shifts constantly, like it does where I live, they don’t do much good.
July 20th, 2010 09:47
We had one at our villa a few years ago, and I think it did make a difference. The real problem begins – as it does with everything down there – when the maintenance goes to shit (which it did with our wonderful property management company.) Make sure whomever is” in charge” of that actually does it.
July 20th, 2010 09:54
I believe the “special attractant” from St. Thomas is bull crap. Those things never worked very well for us, although they are hyped throughout the VI. I agree with Marney’s assessment.
July 20th, 2010 18:53
I heard you’re suppose to rub Gin all over your body to keep those skeeters away. I prefer Rum but that’s really just splitting hairs.
Cheers!
July 20th, 2010 19:01
Female skeeters are the ones that bite. They are attracted to CO2 expelled for animals/humans. I have heard people here in NC say these devices are great.
I’m guessin they create CO2 and also have a means to “dispatch” the damn skeeter.
I like the rub rum on your skin. Do a 1:1 ratio of consumption to rubbing rum on the skin.
July 20th, 2010 23:50
This is what we do…and it is pretty simple. If we are out on our deck, we put a fan out there. It keeps the skeeters away. Some say that they don’t/can’t fly in the wind. I also have read theories that the fan dissipates the C02 on your skin that attracts them. Whatever…it works.
Google it, Scopes it…you’ll see.
July 21st, 2010 15:17
and I will add they are a pain to maintain.
I like Pete’s idea. I need a big fan.