Patience and experimentation are the keys to getting the best out of your Premier Trap. While the Premier has been designed to catch immediately there is any mosquito activity in the vicinity, it may take as much as 6-8 weeks of continuous use to reduce local populations to the point that breeding cycles are interrupted.
The Trap should not be operated without the external skirt. That's because it is a very important design feature - important because it acts as a visual attractant for several species of mosquitoes as well as acting as a baffle, directing the air plume out of the bottom of the trap.
Catch Bag vs Catch Bucket
While the catch bag requires less attention, the wet catch bucket can produce better capture rates when filled with a mixture of water and any sugar based drink. This creates an airflow that is humidity enriched - much like human breath - as well as containing traces of sugar which mosquitoes identify as a source of energy.
With or without Lures
Octenol, a known mosquito attractant, and key ingredient in Mega-Catch™ fragrance strips, has been proven to enhance trap performance and increase capture rates of a wide variety of mosquito species as well as black flies, sand flies and biting midges.
However, the effectiveness of lures does vary greatly between different species and we recommend experimenting with and without lures. There may be 30 species in your yard, and only some of them will be a nuisance. Other attractant odors such as old sweaty smelly socks or even smelly Limburger cheese can also assist with increasing catch rates.
Location
Trap location has a significant affect on catch rates and is worth experimenting with. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce. Once they hatch and are airborne they will typically reside in vegetation such as shrubs/bushes/trees and long grass during the day.
When placing your trap think shade, shelter from strong winds, damp areas, and vegetation. Place your trap in the shade between your house and the mosquito area, but no closer than 20-30 feet from where people tend to dwell outside.
If there is a gentle prevailing wind, then place the trap so that any added attractants, such as mosquito lures, will waft back into the mosquito area. If one location doesn't work, move the trap to the next one that you have identified. Note: in one study trap location made up to a 4 fold difference in catch rates, hence the importance of experimentation to find the best location. Even a move of 20 feet can make a big difference in some instances.
