Mosquito pheromone trap
Mosquitoes of the genus Culex, like Culex quinquefasciatus, release a volatile pheromone from their eggs that induces gravid females to oviposit around the pheromone source. This fact is used in mosquito control for fighting against adult females as well as mosquito larvae.
The major mosquito pheromone component is known to be 6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide. The trap using this component is designed to alert other mosquitoes that a good egg laying location is near by. When females ready to lay eggs detect the pheromone, they will follow the smell to the source. When they enter the trap, they simply cannot escape. The trap looks like a simple jar; it has a tube running through the middle and is filled with water (for mosquitoes to drown). The tube is open on either end and allows mosquitoes to enter through these openings as well as for pheromone to disperse.
Pheromone trap should be used along property borders and in dark, damp and shady areas where mosquitoes are likely to reside when searching for a place to lay eggs. For best results pheromone should be refilled every 4-6 weeks. At least 2 to 4 traps are recommended for average yard, several more could be needed if there are swampy areas nearby or mosquito numbers are high. Most of the mosquito pheromone traps on the market come under “OakStump Farms” brand name (by SpringStar LLC.)
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