FAQ’s – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHERE TO PLACE THE MOSQUITO TRAP?

Many species of mosquitoes have an adult life span that lasts about two weeks. Approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes have been identified world-wide, with approximately 170 species found in the United States. Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, but only the female requires a blood meal. The blood meal is needed for each batch of eggs the female lays, typically feeding once every 3-4 days. If the mosquito is not disturbed, during the biting process, a blood meal usually lasts about 90 seconds and the amount of blood is 1-1/2 times its body weight. A single female mosquito may lay thousands of eggs, during her lifetime. The female mosquito is attracted to a host by carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, scent, color, shape, movement and for some species, even sound. The female mosquito is usually most active between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degrees Fahrenheit while in calm or light breeze conditions. Mosquitoes tend to travel up-wind when seeking a blood meal. The placement of the Mosquito Trap will greatly affect the success of the unit’s ability to capture mosquitoes. The largest amount of mosquitoes will be captured by positioning the Mosquito Trap 30 to 40 feet away from the location you want to protect, in the normal down-wind direction towards were mosquitoes are living (trees, bushes and water). To find the best starting point in your yard for trap placement, walk about 10-15 feet away from the deck (patio, porch) area that you want to primarily protect. Light a smoky incense and watch which direction the smoke drifts while standing there. Next, move about 5-8 feet to the left of the original spot and repeat. Then 5-8 feet to the right of the original spot. This is all to help you identify the normal airflow pattern. Repeat this procedure at your deck and see if the air movement is in the same direction. You should find a common area of your yard that the air moves toward. This is where you want to place the trap, ideally at a distance of 40-50 feet away from the deck area. Placing the trap close to shrubs, bushes, or other vegetation can help to increase mosquito capture. Research has demonstrated plants like mint and lemon grass can decrease capture while bushy and leafy plants without strong odor increase capture. WARNING: Minimum clearance 24 inches to walls or ceilings is required.

HOW THE MOSQUITO TRAP WORKS?

The Lentek Mosquito Trap utilizes the documented attractiveness of carbon dioxide (CO 2), moisture, body temperature (thermal imaging), color, shape and airflow in an effective design that captures and kills mosquitoes. Similar traps have been in use for years by universities, state monitoring programs and researchers around the world. The Lentek Mosquito Trap uses this traditional trapping approach, combined with the latest in research, to turn the female mosquito’s natural hunting techniques toward seeking out the trap and thus, facilitating their capture in a product that private home owners can use. This is how the female mosquito reacts to the trap: At a fairly long distance (up to 40 ft away), it senses the Co2 and moisture coming from the unit’s burner. This tells the mosquito that there is a “breathing” creature around. It flies towards the source of CO2 and moisture. As it travels, at a range of approx. 15 ft, it start sense temperature similar to that of a living creature (thermal imaging). The unique design of the MK-12 has three different thermal-imaging systems (patents pending): a) static thermal imaging, where in the body of the trap, there is warmth at the top surfaces of the “neck” similar to that of living beings. This temperature is constant and generates consistent heat waves that attract the mosquitoes closer to trap. b) Spot thermal imaging: The black dome-like surface of the trap is warmed up at different points to be similar to living being’s temperatures. Live beings do not have a consistent temperature across the body. This sends a message to the saying that this variation of temperatures is similar to a live animal. c) Dynamic thermal imaging: The heaters inside the trap turn on and off constantly to send a movement-like signal to the mosquito which incites it’s hunting instincts. Once the mosquito senses this temperature variation at the black surface, it will ltry to land on top of it because it “thinks” the warm spots are bloodstrem veins under the skin of a living creature. The top of this area is covered by a vacuu air flow caused by the internal fan which pulls the mosquitoes into the trap in a swirl-flow motion thanks to the unique design of the internal components of the trap. The vacuum airflow goes straight into the Receptacle with grilled openings depositing inside of it all the mosquitoes that were attracted, where thay stay trapped until they dehidrate and ultimately die.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE MOSQUITO TRAP?

To achieve the best results from your Mosquito Trap, you must leave it in operation full-time during the mosquito season. The trap is not meant for occasional use, such as during an outdoor party. A capture of only a few mosquitoes daily, can have a future impact. It is for this reason, we recommend to leave the trap operating full-time. Over time, you may notice a reduction in the number of mosquitoes in the trap. 6 www.lentek.com 888-3-LENTEK Open the gas valve on the tank to the full open position by turning it counterclockwise until the knob stops rotating STARTING THE MOSQUITO TRAP Step 2: MK12 Press and hold the safety button. While looking into the center of the burner unit through the window, press the red button until a blue flame appears inside the window directly in front of you. WARNING If the unit does not light within approximately 10 seconds, then release the gas button and wait at least 60 seconds for any built up gas to dissipate before attempting to relight. Note: When installing a new or refilled propane tank, it may take up to 30 seconds for the gas to reach the burner. Step 3. Continue to hold the safety button in for 30 additional seconds after the initial ignition. Then release safety button. Step 4. Wait 60 seconds between lighting attempts to allow unburnt gas to escape. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if the burner goes out. There is a safety device that must warm up enough to allow gas to the burner after the safety button is released (No longer pushed in).