Mosquito University	Consumer Tips Myths & Mosquito Control

Researchers have found that while these traps do attract and kill thousands of insects within a 24-hour period, mosquitoes comprise only 6.4% of a five-day insect catch.

Not only was the mosquito population a small percentage of all insects killed during this study, but also only half of the mosquitoes killed were the blood-feeding females.

The Myth of Bats

Build a bat house in your yard and your mosquito problems are over. Right? WRONG!

Studies have shown that while bats devour a huge number of insects, mosquitoes are only a small part of their diet.

A recent study of fecal pellets of the evening bat in Indiana conducted throughout an entire summer revealed that the primary food items were beetles, moths, and leafhoppers. A very small number of mosquitoes-0.7%--were found in the stomachs of bats in another study.

Bats are "selective opportunists" when it comes to their feeding habits, and they will take a variety of prey. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are not a significant part of that diet. Also, bats generally migrate south in late summer; so few bats are around to feed on mosquitoes that may be reaching a late season population peak.

The evidence from stomach analysis and feces examination does not justify the hypothesis that insectivorous bats specialize on particular types of insects.

The Myth of the Citrosa Plant

A commonly perceived mosquito deterrent is the Citrosa plant, which was created by crossing tissue cultures of an African Germanium with the Grass of China. The Grass of China contains citronella oil, and has been used for years as an active ingredient in mosquito repellent candles. No studies support the idea that the Citrosa plant actually repels mosquitoes. In fact, some researchers believe that the only way the Citrosa plant release the Citronella oil is if the plant is touched or disturbed.