FAQ’s – FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE TO PLACE THE MOSQUITO TRAP?
Many species of mosquitoes have an adult life span that lasts about two weeks.
Approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes have been identified world-wide, with
approximately 170 species found in the United States. Both male and female mosquitoes
feed on plant nectar, but only the female requires a blood meal. The blood meal
is needed for each batch of eggs the female lays, typically feeding once every
3-4 days. If the mosquito is not disturbed, during the biting process, a blood
meal usually lasts about 90 seconds and the amount of blood is 1-1/2 times its
body weight. A single female mosquito may lay thousands of eggs, during her lifetime.
The female mosquito is attracted to a host by carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature,
scent, color, shape, movement and for some species, even sound. The female mosquito
is usually most active between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degrees Fahrenheit
while in calm or light breeze conditions. Mosquitoes tend to travel up-wind when
seeking a blood meal. The placement of the Mosquito Trap will greatly affect the
success of the unit’s ability to capture mosquitoes. The largest amount of mosquitoes
will be captured by positioning the Mosquito Trap 30 to 40 feet away from the
location you want to protect, in the normal down-wind direction towards were mosquitoes
are living (trees, bushes and water). To find the best starting point in your
yard for trap placement, walk about 10-15 feet away from the deck (patio, porch)
area that you want to primarily protect. Light a smoky incense and watch which
direction the smoke drifts while standing there. Next, move about 5-8 feet to
the left of the original spot and repeat. Then 5-8 feet to the right of the original
spot. This is all to help you identify the normal airflow pattern. Repeat this
procedure at your deck and see if the air movement is in the same direction. You
should find a common area of your yard that the air moves toward. This is where
you want to place the trap, ideally at a distance of 40-50 feet away from the
deck area. Placing the trap close to shrubs, bushes, or other vegetation can help
to increase mosquito capture. Research has demonstrated plants like mint and lemon
grass can decrease capture while bushy and leafy plants without strong odor increase
capture. WARNING: Minimum clearance 24 inches to walls or ceilings is required.
HOW THE MOSQUITO
TRAP WORKS?
The Lentek Mosquito Trap utilizes the documented attractiveness of carbon dioxide
(CO 2), moisture, body temperature (thermal imaging), color, shape and airflow
in an effective design that captures and kills mosquitoes. Similar traps have
been in use for years by universities, state monitoring programs and researchers
around the world. The Lentek Mosquito Trap uses this traditional trapping approach,
combined with the latest in research, to turn the female mosquito’s natural
hunting techniques toward seeking out the trap and thus, facilitating their
capture in a product that private home owners can use. This is how the female
mosquito reacts to the trap: At a fairly long distance (up to 40 ft away), it
senses the Co2 and moisture coming from the unit’s burner. This tells the mosquito
that there is a “breathing” creature around. It flies towards the source of
CO2 and moisture. As it travels, at a range of approx. 15 ft, it start sense
temperature similar to that of a living creature (thermal imaging). The unique
design of the MK-12 has three different thermal-imaging systems (patents pending):
a) static thermal imaging, where in the body of the trap, there is warmth at
the top surfaces of the “neck” similar to that of living beings. This temperature
is constant and generates consistent heat waves that attract the mosquitoes
closer to trap. b) Spot thermal imaging: The black dome-like surface of the
trap is warmed up at different points to be similar to living being’s temperatures.
Live beings do not have a consistent temperature across the body. This sends
a message to the saying that this variation of temperatures is similar to a
live animal. c) Dynamic thermal imaging: The heaters inside the trap turn on
and off constantly to send a movement-like signal to the mosquito which incites
it’s hunting instincts. Once the mosquito senses this temperature variation
at the black surface, it will ltry to land on top of it because it “thinks”
the warm spots are bloodstrem veins under the skin of a living creature. The
top of this area is covered by a vacuu air flow caused by the internal fan which
pulls the mosquitoes into the trap in a swirl-flow motion thanks to the unique
design of the internal components of the trap. The vacuum airflow goes straight
into the Receptacle with grilled openings depositing inside of it all the mosquitoes
that were attracted, where thay stay trapped until they dehidrate and ultimately
die.
WHAT TO EXPECT
FROM THE MOSQUITO TRAP?
To achieve the best results from your Mosquito Trap, you must leave it in operation
full-time during the mosquito season. The trap is not meant for occasional use,
such as during an outdoor party. A capture of only a few mosquitoes daily, can
have a future impact. It is for this reason, we recommend to leave the trap
operating full-time. Over time, you may notice a reduction in the number of
mosquitoes in the trap. 6 www.lentek.com 888-3-LENTEK Open the gas valve on
the tank to the full open position by turning it counterclockwise until the
knob stops rotating STARTING THE MOSQUITO TRAP Step 2: MK12 Press and hold the
safety button. While looking into the center of the burner unit through the
window, press the red button until a blue flame appears inside the window directly
in front of you. WARNING If the unit does not light within approximately 10
seconds, then release the gas button and wait at least 60 seconds for any built
up gas to dissipate before attempting to relight. Note: When installing a new
or refilled propane tank, it may take up to 30 seconds for the gas to reach
the burner. Step 3. Continue to hold the safety button in for 30 additional
seconds after the initial ignition. Then release safety button. Step 4. Wait
60 seconds between lighting attempts to allow unburnt gas to escape. Repeat
steps 3 and 4 if the burner goes out. There is a safety device that must warm
up enough to allow gas to the burner after the safety button is released (No
longer pushed in). |