Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the Midge Magnet?
American Biophysics Corporation, in consultation for a decade with the US Dept. of Agriculture and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, developed the Midge Magnet as an effective, consumer-friendly biting insect trap.
What attracts biting insects to us?
Our breath. Carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, and heat that result from exhaling lets the female midge know that there is a blood meal in the area. She will navigate to you by following the plume of CO2.
How does the Midge Magnet work?
Mimicking human breath, a warm, moist carbon dioxide plume is produced from propane gas to attract the blood-seeking insects. As the biting insects approach the source they are vacuumed into a net where they dehydrate and die. The Midge Magnet also uses octenol which, when combined with carbon dioxide, enhances the catch rate for certain species of mosquitoes and midges.
What is octenol?
Octenol (1-octen-3-ol) is a naturally occurring by-product that comes from plants and some animals, such as cows, that ingest large amounts of vegetable matter. It is irresistible to midges who can detect minute fluctuations of CO2 and Octenol in their environment from 100 yards away.
Which biting insects will the Midge Magnet trap?
Female blood seeking insects such as midges, blackflies, sandflies, horseflies (clegs), birch flies, mosquitoes.They are trapped before being able to lay eggs.
Will the Midge Magnet trap beneficial insects?
Midges and other biting insects have receptors which detect carbon dioxide, which helps them to find their victim. Non-biting insects, such as bees and butterflies, do not have these receptors and are not attracted to carbon dioxide.
Where should I place the Midge Magnet?
We recommend that you place the Midge Magnet near where the midges rest (foliage) and breed (water), not near people. It is best to place the trap 30 feet from the area you want cleared. If placed properly, the Midge Magnet will draw the midges to it and away from you. It is strongly recommended that you do not place machines directly in bushes or hedges. You do not want to obstruct the flow of the plume! Likewise buildings, thick hedges and similar objects act as a barrier. This must be factored into your placement. Remember that midges tend to fly upwind towards the machine. Try adjusting the position of the machine a few times when you first obtain it to be certain that it is sited at the place for maximum catch rate.
Can it dramatically reduce the midge population?
Yes. 90% of the midges biting you live within 100 metres of where you are. The other 10% are brought in passively by the wind. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to detect your carbon dioxide beyond 100 metres. As the females are trapped, the generations are eliminated, thereby interrupting the breeding cycle in that area. This usually occurs after 4 to 6 weeks of continuous use.
How soon will I see a difference?
The Midge Magnet will begin trapping female midges immediately if placed properly in your garden. You should begin to see a difference within a few weeks. Within 4-6 weeks the midge breeding cycle will be interrupted, drastically reducing the population in your garden. Noticeable results have been observed in as little as 5 days!
How many midges can I expect to capture?
The quantity of midges caught varies greatly, depending on your region's infestation level and how it is placed on your property. In tests in Scotland as many as 2.5 million were captured in one night with one machine. In more urban areas, catch results may be much less. A good yardstick is "Am I being bitten?"
What maintenance does the Midge Magnet require?
A 13kg propane tank should be replaced every month and the octenol cartridge should be replaced every 21 days: the systems all use just under 0.5 kg of gas per day. (We recommend having a full tank on-hand to replace empty ones as the midges will quickly repopulate if the Midge Magnet is turned off). The net should be emptied when it is half full. It can be reused but the mesh will eventually clog up. At every third gas bottle replacement and at the end of use for the season, the fuel line should be flushed through using a 12g canister of carbon dioxide.
Is the Midge Magnet cost-effective?
Yes. Estimated propane costs are relatively small but of course this depends on the cost of propane gas in your area. The Midge Magnet Liberty consumes no more electricity than an electric clock.
Which Midge Magnet is right for me?
We advise you to look on the user page for specific guidance for your type of use. In general, we advise that the Defender is suitable for a light infestation,the Liberty Plus for a medium infestation and a Pro or Pro Plus model for a heavy infestation. For further guidance on this matter, you are welcome to contact us.
Is the Midge Magnet quiet?
Yes. The only moving part is the internal fan, which has the same sound level as a standard desktop computer fan.
How will it protect grazing animals in a big area?
The area protected is up to 1-1.5 acres (depending on Midge Magnet model and landscape features). If the animals need to graze over a wider area during the day, they can be gathered to the protected area in the evening and let out to the larger area again in the morning. This gives them protection when active midge numbers are at their highest.
Will it help my pony with Sweet Itch?
The Midge Magnet dramatically reduces the number of midges. Fewer midge bites mean a less severe skin reaction. As there will probably still be a few midges about, the use of Midge Master alone is unlikely to completely cure Sweet Itch. The use of the Midge Magnet in combination with other control methods will give the most effective results.