How MidgeBlaster can help Kennels and Catteries
My name is Juliet Caird and I have been a veterinary surgeon for 18 years. I suffer from organophosphate (pesticide) poisoning and, as a result, cannot use insect repellents or pesticides on myself or animals. We live in the west of Scotland in an area of high midge density and this caused huge problems to all of us, including the cats and dogs when they were outside. During the worst midge times, the cats and dogs and people could hide from the midges in the house, with the windows and doors closed. The llamas, ponies and sheep, however, were tormented by the midges. Even in the stables, the midges got to the animals through the space between the doors and walls and cracks in the wood.
Last year, in desperation, we purchased a MidgeMaster. We have been delighted by the results, which have far exceeded our expectations. The MidgeMaster has greatly reduced the number of midges and the animals are much more settled and contented.
An added benefit of the MidgeMaster has been that the garden and vegetable plot are now protected from midges as well as the livestock area. In the evenings, the cats can now concentrate on hunting or soaking up the sun, the dogs can play or sleep on the lawn, and the humans can enjoy gardening and having barbecues.
I was so impressed by the MidgeMaster that I told a lot of other animal owners and veterinary colleagues about it and I have now become an agent for the company.
Benefits of the MidgeMaster to kennels an catteries
- effectively reduces the midge population over a large area, protecting many outside runs· reduces the number of midges entering kennels or catteries through windows and small gaps.
- greatly reduces stress suffered by cats and dogs due to midges (particularly black animals which seem to attract more midges)
- happier animals and happier owners
- improved conditions for kennel/cattery workers
- low running costs
- robust & weatherproof
- easy to operate and maintain
- reliable
- environmentally friendly – uses no harmful chemicals
- reduces the need for pesticides and insect repellents which are often expensive, ineffective and potentially hazardous to health
- quiet and virtually undetectable odour
- happy owners will use your services again and recommend you to friends
- registration on the MidgeBlaster website and, if requested, links between our site and yours, to encourage business
MidgeBlaster’ tips for using the MidgeMaster at a Kennel/Cattery
Which MidgeMaster model should I choose?
Choose a MidgeMaster model to suit your circumstances, mainly depending on the size of area to be protected and the number of animals (the more animals present, the more carbon dioxide they will emit to compete with the MidgeMaster, although cats and dogs do not emit octenol as done by herbivores).
I recommend a Liberty Plus model or, preferably, a Pro or Pro Plus model. All of these models have good coverage and are easily positioned as they have dual wheeled bases and do not have electricity cables.
The Liberty Plus model protects an area of up to one acre and can potentially catch up to a million midges in 24 hours.
The Pro model covers up to 1.25 acres and has been proven to be able to catch around 3 million midges in 24 hours in areas of high midge density. It was the best selling midge trap in the UK in 2003.
The new Pro Plus model is the ultimate midge trap, covering up to 1.5 acres and catching an enormous number of midges.
Depending on the layout of your premises, it may be wise to consider purchasing two Liberty Plus models rather than one Pro series model. This may be more effective in the following situations:-
- The premises consists of two or more blocks of buildings well apart from each other. Two machines situated in separate locations may be more likely to effectively protect the area including all the buildings.
- Two large blocks of buildings are positioned back to back or one large building block has entrances at the front and the rear. The presence of a large object, such as a building, will impede the flow of carbon dioxide and octenol (midge attractants), so the side of the building on which the MidgeMaster is placed will benefit more than the opposite side. The use of two machines will ensure that each side of a large building has equal benefit.
- There is more than one major source of midges (wet areas) on different sides of the premises. Ideally, the MidgeMaster should be placed between the midge source and the animals to be protected so that the midges reach the MidgeMaster before their victim. Two machines would allow for this and be likely to be more effective than one large machine.
- The cost of two Liberty Plus machines is only a little more than one Pro Plus model.
- You could consider the purchase of one machine initially, to find out if this is adequate. It may well be enough. My machine (2003 Pro model) certainly protects a large area of two small paddocks, a small yard, the garden and vegetable plot. In addition to this, it has to compete with carbon dioxide from ten large herbivores, two humans and several cats and dogs, and octenol from the ten herbivores. These areas are, however, all in front of my house and the area to the back of the house is slightly less well protected.
Where should I place the MidgeMaster?
It is very important to establish the position for maximum midge catch rate. This is generally between the main midge source and the animals to be protected. Remember, also, that the attractant travels downwind and the midges tend to fly upwind towards their victim. If the machine does not appear to be very effective at first, change its position and you will probably be delighted with the results.
When will I notice an improvement?
An improvement is often noticed within 7 – 10 days. This reduction in midge numbers generally continues steadily and then there is usually another big drop in the midge population, after about a month, once the breeding cycle has been interrupted. Fewer midges will be caught each day as there are fewer present to catch. At the beginning of the following season, there is a lower initial number of midges hatching than in previous years. I have observed all of this with my MidgeMaster.
How do I keep the machine operating to maximum capacity?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions (these are very straightforward), particularly remembering to replace the octenol every 21 days. Octenol is a powerful attractant and failure to replace it results in a noticeable reduction in performance (this, however, demonstrates the superiority of the MidgeMaster over insect traps which rely solely on carbon dioxide as the chemical attractant). We recommend making a note on your calendar of each octenol change date.
An observation of midge behaviour at kennels
Midges are strongly attracted to dogs’ urine, often turning a patch on a tree or a puddle black by landing in such large numbers. To reduce the attractiveness of kennels to midges, it is therefore also helpful to ensure good hygiene (although this is probably the case already).
Keep the machine away from direct contact with animals where possible
Any person or animal, standing next to an operating MidgeMaster is likely to pick up a few of the midges which have been attracted to the machine but not yet trapped. When a horse owner last came to see my MidgeMaster in operation, my cat, who had previously enjoyed many midge free months, sat under the machine, shaking his head and scratching!
It is preferable to check the machine during the times of less dense midge populations, generally around mid-day.
Commercial benefit for your premises
If you purchase a MidgeMaster from us, your premises will be registered on our MidgeBlaster website. We will happily arrange for links between our website and yours, if requested.
Report from a satisfied MidgeMaster owner
‘ I recently purchased a MidgeMaster for my boarding kennels and ride and
drive heavy horses near Loch Fyne. There was a large and often intolerable local
midge population here but, since starting to use the MidgeMaster, there has
been an enormous reduction in the number of midges. The animals and I are now
much less bothered by the insects. It is important to place the machine at the
correct site for maximum trapping ability. While there are a few midges still
present here, the situation would be a hundred times worse without the machine.
The MidgeMaster is an excellent machine and I would recommend it to anyone
with a midge problem.’ Miss P. Jane Dawson, Croft Kennels, Croitachonie, Cairndow, Argyll, PA26 8BG.
Further information from MidgeBlaster
You are welcome to contact us to discuss the MidgeMaster further, or to enquire about the possibility of inspecting a machine in operation in your area click here
Ordering and Delivery – click here
