This past year, we had an exceptionally wet summer.  It seemed that it rained literally for several weeks in a row and at least 3 or 4 days during those weeks.

The sun never really had a chance to stay out more than a day or two at a time.  Thus, the puddles of standing water never fully evaporated before the next rain storm came rolling in.  This was pure heaven for any insects that use standing water as their breeding grounds.   If you lived in an area that also went through similar weather, I'll bet you also had as much fun as I did fighting mosquitos every day.

Seriously, these blood suckers were absolutely merciless.  I mean it didn't matter whether it was the middle of the day or late at night, those pesky critters were biting my pets, my children and our friends like it was their last meal.   (For some of the slow flying ones..it was their last meal.  haha)    One night as I looked out my back patio door, I took a look at one of our solar lights we had installed and it was pitch black and covered with dead mosquitos.  I knew right then and there that I had to find a good solution to killing these bugs.

I did some research online and found that there really isn't a true bug zapper for mosquitos.  In fact mosquitos aren't attracted to UV light like other bugs.  What that means is that the cool blue neon bug zappers that you are used to seeing in summertime are essentially worthless in killing mosquitos.  There is good news though. It was recently found that what does seem to work fairly well is to kill them with mosquito traps.  These new devices contain and put out Octenol, which is a non-toxic, pesticide-free pheromone mosquito attractant.  These  mosquito killers  emit CO2, water vapor, and this attractor.  The mosquitos fly into the machines netting and will slowly die because they get stuck.   I found a good quality machine online for less than 200 dollars and think that there are often sales on them in the winter time which is the off season for most moderate climates.

If you struggled last year with a mosquito problem, make sure this year you take control.  Investigate into these mosquito traps yourself and find one that makes sense to invest in. Your family will thank you.