If you have the Asian Tiger or other container-breeding mosquitoes in your yard, and you get rid of as many breeding sites as possible, then the Mosquito Swallow
TM will help.
The Asian Tiger and other container-breeding mosquitoes. The Mosquito SwallowTM is designed for the control of container-breeding mosquitoes, in particular the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), known as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.
Where and when the Asian Tiger came to the United States. The Asian Tiger first appeared in the United State in Houston, Texas, in 1985. Since then, it has spread throughout the southeastern United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") published a map showing the spread of this nuisance mosquito as of 2000, just 15 years after it first appeared in the United States.
The mosquito has continued to spread, as far north as Chicago, Illinois; New Cumberland (York County), Pennsylvania; and Cumberland, Salem, and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey.
Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee have reported the Asian Tiger in every county of those states.
If in doubt as to whether you have a problem with Asian Tiger mosquitoes, check with your local or state authorities concerning what kinds of mosquitoes you may have.
Why the Asian Tiger is such a problem. The Asian Tiger is such a nuisance because of its fierce nature and its tendency to eat during the day rather than at night. It also aggressively cross-mates with other mosquito species, resulting in the displacement of more passive native mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti. This displacement may mean that the Asian Tiger could be the only mosquito species in a given area, if it has driven off the indigenous species.
This aggressiveness may also explain why mosquitoes in your neighborhood seem worse than you remember as a child, even if you grew up in the same area.
In addition to being a nuisance, in the U.S., it is possible for the Asian Tiger to transmit eastern equine encephalomyelitis and Cache Valley viruses to humans. In other parts of the world, it also transmits dengue.
Why the Asian Tiger is particularly vulnerable to the Mosquito Swallow trap. The Asian Tiger has been labeled a "floodwater," "tree hole," or "container breeder" species because of its practice of laying eggs in places that are subject to later flooding, such as tree holes and containers. It favors water collected in small containers or spaces, such as used tires, old tin cans, and potted-plant saucers. Submersion in water causes the eggs to hatch.
The Asian Tiger is attracted to dark colors and are not known to travel more than half a mile from their breeding site. They survive winter in the egg stage.
The Mosquito Swallow trap is small and dark, and holds water, like the used tires and tree holes that the Asian Tiger prefers for laying eggs. The trap provides a breeding site that competes with the mosquito's "home" breeding site, whether it is on your own property, your neighbor's yard, or a nearby greenbelt or park. With proper placement and maintenance, the Mosquito Swallow will trap and kill mosquitoes that otherwise would be breeding nearby.
Other species of mosquito. While this invention was designed specifically with the Asian Tiger in mind, it may be effective with other species. Examples include Ochlerotatus japonicus, an non-indigenous tree-hole breeder recently discovered in much of the northeastern part of the United States and an aggressive biter, and Aedes sierrensis, a tree-hole breeder common throughout California and parts of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Idaho and Utah and a carrier of dog heartworm. Aedes sierrensis adults stay within 100 feet of their breeding sites.
The trap does not affect species which do not breed in small containers, such as salt marsh or swamp mosquitoes. You may need to take other steps to address these species separately. (There are over 160 species of mosquito in North America.)
If in doubt as to whether you have Asian Tiger mosquitoes, ask your local or state authorities.
Learn more about how to use the Mosquito Swallow or frequently asked questions. Or if you are ready, place an order now.
I have 3 traps and have been VERY pleased with the results-we have a large covered back porch and love sitting out several hours a day. I am really a mosquito magnet and have been able to spend as much time outside as I want with very few mosquito problems. I have recommended your traps to several others and they have also had good results.
- G.H., Austin, TX
