In summer, with the good weather and the days ending late, we all like to enjoy our outdoors: swimming pool, barbecue, aperitif, or simply relaxing in the hammock (not necessarily in that order ;-). But there is a little creature that can quickly turn all this into a nightmare: the mosquito! Fortunately, there are very effective equipment available today, such as Biogents mosquito traps.
The mosquito population can be very different from one place to another. The main cause of mosquito proliferation is stagnant water, in which mosquitoes lay their eggs to reproduce. Here, in Sologne, we have a lot of ponds. It is not for nothing that it is nicknamed the region of 1000 ponds (in fact there are 3000 in the Loir et Cher alone). Suffice to say that it is a paradise for mosquitoes. For us bipeds, on the other hand, outdoor evenings are unfortunately complicated. Not to mention that with the growing proliferation of the tiger mosquito, other problems are appearing, notably with the transmission of diseases such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever and Zika.
Other regions previously little affected by mosquitoes are also appearing, because of climate change, mosquitoes becoming more resistant, or even the cessation of heavy chemical treatments that are harmful to the environment (which therefore protects the fauna and flora, and consequently also the mosquitoes).
Having a good mosquito trap is therefore essential today. Last year we discovered the Thermacell mosquito shield, which has the great advantage of being mobile.
The Biogents mosquito traps I tested this year are different, as they are designed to be placed in the garden very early in the season to prevent breeding from the start. They therefore have a long-lasting effect, unlike the Thermacell, which is temporary, lasting for a meal, for example. I was able to test two systems: one plugged into the mains, the other completely autonomous, and without any electronics.
The Biogents Mosquitaire Mosquito Trap
Biogents is the benchmark in the field of mosquito traps. Its flagship model is the Biogents Mosquitaire Mosquito Trap, the result of 16 years of research on mosquito behavior.
Made in Germany, this system is equipped with a fan that generates an artificial airflow diffusing an active ingredient that acts as a bait. It actually replicates certain substances naturally present in human skin. Attracted, the mosquitoes are then captured by the trap. The force of the ventilation prevents them from escaping. And if the power goes out, the top flap closes, trapping them.
Rest assured, unlike UV lamps, this bait does not attract other beneficial garden insects, such as ladybugs, bees, butterflies, etc. And this bait is not an insecticide, so it is non-toxic, either to the environment or to children.
While the trap is extremely effective, its proper functioning still depends on its placement. It should be placed near mosquito resting places: hedges, shrubs, damp, and shady areas. You should also choose a somewhat sheltered location, as mosquitoes do not like rain. Finally, for the Mosquitaire Biogents mosquito trap, you will also need to have a nearby electrical outlet (the trap has an 8m cable).
Properly positioned, this mosquito trap is capable of reducing the mosquito population by 85% over an area of 200m² (an optional CO2 kit can increase this effectiveness up to 1000m²).
This trap is truly effective and operates completely autonomously, requiring no maintenance. Simply leave it plugged in 24/7, and it does its job. Only the bait will need to be replaced every 2 months (or every month if the weather is very hot). The basic kit includes a refill. They are then available for €18 (for 2 months) or €54 (for 6 months).
The trap itself costs €165.A significant price, but one that will pay for itself over the coming years, since only the bait will need to be replaced. The Biogents Mosquito Larva Trap
While the Biogents Mosquitaire mosquito trap is extremely effective against mosquitoes, it doesn't eliminate the risk of mosquitoes laying eggs (although, of course, if the mosquito population decreases, so do the eggs).
For this, the manufacturer offers another system: the Biogents Mosquito Larva Trap. There's no electronics here; the system is simply designed using different interlocking parts.
The lower container contains water, to which a few twigs are added so that the water breaks down these elements and attracts mosquitoes (the principle of stagnant water). A net covers this part to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water. But once they get into the system, they will have a very hard time getting out because of the funnel-shaped upper part, and will generally end up stuck to an adhesive plate inside the trap (which needs to be changed from time to time, but around ten plates are provided).Here you can see the adhesive plate on the inside, on the left.
Thanks to this system, we tackle the problem at its root. And all without the need for any chemicals. As with the previous one, the trap must of course be properly placed (there's no need for a nearby electrical outlet). You'll also need to remove any other areas of standing water (buckets full of water, old tires, etc.) so that mosquitoes have no choice but to approach these traps. These traps, yes, because they are sold in pairs, so they can be spread out throughout the garden.
Moreover, if the garden is larger than 100m², it's strongly recommended to use them in conjunction with the Mosquitaire seen above, which provides incredible effectiveness!
I've already trapped a few mosquitoes after a few hours.
Biogents Mosquito Traps: Effective?
I was able to test these traps this year thanks to our partner ProtectHome. They've been in place since the beginning of June and have caught many mosquitoes. In fact, the evenings are much quieter, and we've been able to enjoy a few evening meals without any bites, something that's usually almost impossible here!
The Biogents Mosquitaire mosquito trap is particularly effective. It's certainly expensive, and it's not always a budget you're willing to spend on a mosquito trap. But its effectiveness means that no other trap is necessary. Between the various other traps you might be tempted to buy, which end up in the trash, and the years the Biogents model can withstand, the choice is easy. It's an investment, but one that won't cost anything in subsequent years (just the replacement of the bait, which is a consumable). The larvae traps are also very interesting. In fact, they're a perfect complement to the Mosquitaire. That's why it's even possible to buy a kit that includes the Mosquitaire and the larvae traps. At €199, it's a perfect combo! Having tried many solutions, from UV lamps to citronella lanterns, I can only recommend these Biogents mosquito traps: they're the best system I've had so far. I used them all last summer and just put them back into service for this year. There are, of course, even better professional solutions, like the Mosquito Pratiot Pioneer, but they're more expensive (€660). The Biogents range therefore offers excellent value for money given its performance.
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