Written By VDCI Team
The BG-Sentinel trap was designed with two specific mosquito species in mind, Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito). The two species are known to vector dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses and thrive in urban environments. Both species use natural and artificial containers for breeding, making them notoriously difficult to catch in significant numbers. The BG-Sentinel trap is made of a tarp like material, about the size of a 5-gallon bucket, and utilizes an attractant such as Octenol lure, human scent lure, or carbon dioxide (CO2). A funnel located at the top of the trap leads mosquitoes to an electric fan (outlet or battery powered) that pulls them into a collection net. The BG-Sentinel traps do well at catching the elusive Aedes species when placed in the proper areas and with the appropriate attractants.
Gravid Traps
Gravid traps are designed to catch Culex species, such as Culex tarsalis or Culex pipiens, that are capable of transmitting West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and both Western and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Culex mosquitoes are attracted to the trap by the stagnant water placed under a battery-powered fan which blows mosquitoes into a collection container. The water contains a solution of organic material, often grass or hay, that has been left to sit for several days or longer and serves as an attractant by mimicking the naturally occurring stagnant water, where the Culex species often prefer to lay their eggs. If a trap is left at its location, the water attractant should always be drained on days that no trapping is occurring. For public health reasons, this is especially important if the trap is located near any residences since the trap will act as a breeding site if no collection container and battery are attached.
New Jersey Light Trap
The New Jersey light trap is a generalized adult mosquito trap that is designed to capture a broad spectrum of mosquito species. This particular mosquito collection device is meant for a more permanent trap location as it needs to be firmly mounted about 5 to 6 feet above the ground and powered by an outlet. Dry ice can also be suspended directly above a New Jersey light trap in a vented container as an additional attractant. Due to the New Jersey light trap’s ability to catch a large variety of mosquito species, and in large quantities, it is a great tool for any mosquito control program. The broad survey of mosquito species caught can help determine relative mosquito populations for an area, identify local species of mosquito vectors, and assist technicians in finding local breeding sources. The attractants for this trap tend to entice more aggressive mosquito species. Nuisance mosquito control programs, in particular, may benefit from having a well-placed New Jersey light trap.
CDC Light Trap
CDC light traps are an industry standard in adult mosquito surveillance. Developed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, these portable traps are powered by a 6V battery with a motorized fan and a mosquito collection cup. CDC traps are portable and can be utilized in a variety of ways, but the most common model is accompanied by a small light and a carbon dioxide (CO2) bait source. The flow of CO2 emanating from the trap will lure adult mosquitoes by simulating the exhaled respiratory gasses of birds or mammals. Mosquitoes attracted to the trap are drawn in at the top and forced downward by the fan into the collection net where they cannot escape. Many mosquito species are active during the evening, and therefore CDC traps are typically deployed at dusk and collected after dawn the following day. The live-trapped mosquitoes can then be analyzed at the lab.
Counting and Identification of Adult Mosquitoes
Adult mosquito surveillance traps play a key role in an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program. The successful collection of adult mosquitoes provides mosquito management experts with an understanding of population levels as well as allows for the proper identification of species in a given area. Correctly identifying species and having knowledge of their bionomics offers insight into desired breeding habitats, active periods during the day/night, host preferences, and, maybe most importantly, which mosquito-borne diseases they can transmit. Additionally, understanding population levels can determine the severity of a nuisance mosquito outbreak. Collection, counting, and identification all aid in determining which abatement solutions should be employed to reduce the health risk to a community.
VDCI is committed to public education and spreading awareness throughout the U.S. about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and their preventability, with the overarching goal of reducing illness and fatality statistics. Our dedicated and experienced team works tirelessly to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in all of the contracts we service. If you would like more information about any aspect of an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program, including mosquito surveillance, disease testing, or adult control, please contact Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) at 800.413.4445, and we will help you get started immediately.
Since 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, military bases, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective Integrated Tick and Mosquito Management programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our tick and mosquito management professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an Integrated Tick and Mosquito Management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial applications in emergency response situations.
