Frequently Asked Questions

How does the trap attract mosquitoes to lay eggs in it?
Asian tiger mosquitoes are attracted to fermenting leaves, stagnant water, and sites where other adults have laid eggs (leaving behind pheromones to attract other egg-laying mosquitoes), sites that already contain other mosquito larvae, and sites dark in color. The Mosquito Swallow provides all these elements using things that are already present in your yard. As the summer progresses and more mosquitoes lay eggs in the trap, the amount of pheromones deposited on the trap and the number of larvae inside the trap will increase, making the trap even more attractive. All you need is water and leaves to start the process.

How does the trap keep new mosquitoes from coming out?
Eggs are deposited on the trap. The resulting larvae and pupae will swim in the water that is exposed to the outside. With the addition of water, the larvae and pupae naturally dive for protection, and due to the design of the trap, they are also flushed downward. (Movement of a person or animal near the trap also can trigger this diving reflex.) When the larvae and pupae dive or are flushed, the only place they can go is through a small gap that leads to the inside of the trap. They then swim back to the surface (to breathe) on the inside of the trap. With food and light available on the inside of the trap, they have no reason to swim back through the gap to the outside. Many of the larvae may starve on the inside of the trap. Those that do not starve grow to adulthood inside the trap and cannot escape.

Will the Mosquito Swallow^TM get rid of all my mosquitoes?
Used by itself, no. The Mosquito Swallow trap is intended to be part of an Integrated Pest Management program. It will help reduce the number of container breeders in your yard, but you will still need to take other steps to trap or repel container breeders as well as other species that come into your yard from nearby sources (neighbors' yards, estuaries, and greenbelts, for example). But used by itself with no other steps whatsoever, no mosquito trap we know of is 100% effective, 100% of the time, and the Mosquito Swallow is no exception.

How many traps do I need for my yard?
There should be a trap near every discrete area where mosquitoes congregate, typically in shaded areas protected from the wind. You will want a trap to compete with each potential breeding site in your yard, such as gutters that collect leaves, tree holes that hold water, and beds of deteriorating and fermenting leaves. Ultimately, the number of traps depends on your unique circumstances and how aggressive you want to be, though four traps is a good assumption for most standard third-acre or half-acre homes (two or three for shed and bushes in the back, and one or two for bushes in the front). Some experimentation may be required.

Where should I place my traps?
Placement is important for the effectiveness of the trap and for the safety of small children and pets. First, if you have small children or pets, be sure to place the trap out of their reach (the water will contain mosquitoes, plant matter, and other naturally occurring organisms). Second, you want to place the trap where it will be the most effective and require the least attention by you. Place the trap where mosquitoes congregate, near shady places such as under decks, sheds, and bushes, and out of the direct sunlight of midday. If possible, put the trap where it will catch water from your sprinkler system and/or the rain (so you won't have to add water yourself). Also, if possible, attempt to attach the trap to a fence or shed using screws, to ensure that it does not spill, and be sure to use all four screws. Only if it is not feasible to use the screws should one-inch PVC pipe be used to mount the trap in the ground. Finally, if convenient, placing the trap near a high traffic area will help keep the larvae and pupae on the inside of the trap. Ideal locations are on the sides of decks and sheds; on fences near gates or pathways; near driveways and garage doors; and in bushes near front and back doors as shown here.

What if I don't add any leaves when I first set up the container?
You may not catch any mosquitoes. One study has shown that mosquitoes can be lured to lay eggs on fermenting vegetation more than in distilled water. The combination of old leaves and water ensures that mosquitoes get started on your trap.

Why add water at least once a week?
Adding water does several things. First, it disrupts the surface tension of the water, causing larvae to fall inside the device, and it flushes them into the inside chamber. Second, it maintains a water level that provides a barrier between the trapped adults and the outside. This keeps them from escaping. During hotter months, you should attempt to add water more frequently, up to two or three times per week. Third, it helps dilute the food that the mosquitoes eat. This will cause the larvae in your trap to compete for food, increasing the number which will die before even becoming adults.

Am I still going to have mosquitoes?
Yes, but you won't have as many. The Mosquito Swallow will trap offspring of adult mosquitoes that are coming into your yard from other areas. The trap is designed to keep those mosquitoes from continuing to reproduce. However, the original source for the mosquitoes will likely continue to produce additional mosquitoes. This is why taking additional steps, including getting rid of as many breeding sites as possible and helping neighbors to reduce their breeding sites, is key to limiting the total number of mosquitoes in your yard.

Is there a time when the Mosquito Swallow is more effective?
Yes. The trap has more impact on your overall mosquito population after dry spells (usually late summer) as well as when rains are intermittent. This is due to two factors. First, the trap is the most attractive during dry spells and intermittent rain, when breeding sites that depend on rain are more likely to run dry. In contrast, after heavy, recurring rains, all potential breeding sites are attractive, lessening the effectiveness of the Mosquito Swallow. Second, breeding sites that you have not (or cannot) eliminate are more productive after big rains, when water causes dormant eggs to hatch. Wherever the first mosquitoes of the year came from, odds are those sites will still produce mosquitoes. The Mosquito Swallow will prevent a portion of this population from getting to you, but its impact on your overall mosquito population still depends on available breeding sites as well as the weather.

How often do I add more leaves to the trap?
When you first set up the trap at the beginning of mosquito season,add a pinch of leaves to the inside of the trap before filling with water, and then add one leaf to the top of the open pool after filling with water. During mosquito season, drop a single leaf into the open pool once a month, or more frequently if the leaf in the open pool gets flushed inside (for example, after heavy rains). While not required, keeping a leaf in the open pool may increase your catch rate.

How do I know whether the traps are working?
Larvae should be swimming in your trap within two to three weeks. If you want to check for larvae, empty the contents into a clear container. The larvae should be visible to the naked eye. If you don't have any larvae, you may have much more attractive sites for laying eggs nearby, including a mulch pile, tree hole filled with water, or a bird bath that is seldom cleaned.

Why don't I just dump out the larvae every few weeks and be done with it?
Mosquitoes are more attracted to sites which already contain other mosquito larvae. Leaving the larvae in the trap makes the trap more attractive for others to lay their eggs, increasing your catch rate as well as the starvation effect. As the summer gets under way, ideally the trap will become the best site in your yard for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Additionally, the larvae create toxins which, over time, will create a toxic soup over the summer.

How do I install the traps?
Check out the most recent instructions included with each trap.

What do I do with the traps in winter?
At the latest, empty your traps before the next spring. Be sure to empty them onto dry pavement (to kill any remaining larvae and pupae), and rinse the traps well (to eliminate eggs that would otherwise survive the cold). Store them out of the way, and remount them after the last hard freeze of the winter. Be sure to wash your hands after coming into contact with the water from the trap.

If your climate experiences hard freezes, you may want to empty the traps earlier, before the first freeze, to prevent the traps from breaking.

What is your return policy?
Please view our return policy.

What other environmentally friendly steps can I take to complement the Mosquito Swallow?
Check out our tips on eliminating standing water, and other steps to control container-breeding mosquitoes. We will update the page with additional ideas emailed from our viewers.

If you are ready, place an order now.