Lentek MK12 Guardian Mosquito Trap


Lentek MK12 Mosquito Trap

The MK12 Guardian is the latest in a series of successful mosquito traps from Lentek that began with the original Lentek MK01 Mosquito Trap in 2002. While based largely on the technology of the original model, the Lentek MK12 Guardian mosquito trap has several features not found on its predecessor models including a push-button ignition start, advanced thermal imaging, lighter weight and wheels that make it much easier to move around, and octenol attractant strips which can help improve capture rates for certain species of mosquitoes.

Like many other mosquito traps, the Lentek MK12 Guardian Mosquito Trap utilizes the documented attractiveness of CO2, moisture, warmth, airflow, and octenol to attract, capture and kill mosquitoes and other blood-seeking flying insects. Similar commercial traps have been in use for decades by universities, government monitoring programs and researchers around the world. For more information on how the trap works, see below...

Five Attractants

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When assembled, the Lentek MK12 Guardian mosquito trap stands approximately 35 inches tall at it's peak. The completely packed box weighs just under 25 pounds and measures 24 x 13 x 18 inches. Smartly placed rear mounted wheels make for convenient portability.

Assembly has been designed for simplicity - no tools are required. The unit has 2 hammer-in plastic ground stakes located on the base for affixing the unit to the ground, the propane tank (not included) then sits atop the base and stakes to further stabilize it. The MK12 requires the use of an approved, outdoor-use power cord (not included) for a 120 volt AC outlet. Only use an outdoor extension cord having a 3-prong plug and receptacle that accepts the mosquito trap's plug. The MK12 Guardian Mosquito Trap has a 3-conductor cord and a 3-prong grounding type plug to fit a properly grounded outlet. The electrical rating of the extension cord must be greater than or equal to the electrical rating of the Lentek MK12 Mosquito Trap Guardian (120 Volt / 0.6 Amp). Use an extension cord with 16 gauge or thicker wire and that has a label stating it is suitable for outdoor use.

Lentek MK12 Mosquito Trap How it works

All warm-blooded mammals, including humans, exhale carbon dioxide (CO2) as they breath. To mimic the breath of a human, The Lentek MK12 Guardian mosquito trap converts propane to CO2, through the use of proprietary ceramic catalyst. The CO2 is released into the air in a plume that sends a scent trail inviting mosquitoes inhabiting your back yard or outdoor living space to the trap. Scientists consider carbon dioxide as the single most important cue used by mosquitoes for locating a source of blood (female mosquitoes can detect a host to feed on at a distance of 20 - 40 yards!). At a fairly long distance, a mosquito can sense the CO2 and moisture coming from the unit's burner. This tells the mosquito that there is a "breathing" creature around. It flies towards the source of CO2 and moisture looking for a blood meal.

As a mosquito converges on the trap, it is further attracted by temperature, light stimulants, and octenol. The body of the MK12 trap is slightly warmed to similate the temperature of human skin. The unique design of the MK12 has three different thermal-imaging systems (patents pending):

A). Static thermal imaging: where in the body of the trap, there is warmth at the top surfaces of the neck similar to that of living beings. This temperature is constant and generates consistent heat waves that attract the mosquitoes closer to trap.

B). Spot thermal imaging: The black dome-like surface of the trap is warmed up at different points to be similar to living being's temperatures. Live beings do not have a consistent temperature across the body. This sends a message to the mosquito saying that this variation of temperatures is similar to a live animal.

C). Dynamic thermal imaging: The heaters inside the trap turn on and off constantly to send a movement-like signal to the mosquito which incites it's hunting instincts. Once the mosquito senses this temperature variation at the black surface, it will try to land on top of it because it thinks the warm spots are bloodstream veins under the skin of a living creature.

Octenol (1-octen-3-ol) is a naturally occurring by-product that comes from plants and some animals, such as oxen and cows, that ingest large amounts of vegetable matter. Studies have shown that octenol when combined with carbon dioxide, is highly attractive to many species of mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and biting midges. Research indicates that the use of the octenol attractant can boost capture rates for certain mosquito species quite dramatically compared to use of the trap without the octenol. Lentek's octenol attractant is in the form of a packet with a peel-off top that is hung from the trap. The octenol attractant needs to be replaced every 21 days for best results (30 days maximum recommended). Please note, the cartridge which contains the attractant will not dissolve, but the octenol will evaporate and no longer be effective after 30 days. Be sure to replace attractant according to instructions for optimal results.

When a mosquito approaches the trap and lands on it, it is sucked into the trap by a vacuum created by the powerful fan. The mosquitoes remain trapped until they dehydrate and ultimately die.

Many species of mosquitoes do not travel far from where they hatch during their short life cycle. Continuous use of the MK12 Guardian mosquito trap in one area can literally collapse the mosquito population over an area of up to 1 acre, virtually eliminating biting mosquitoes. This is accomplished by both immediately removing biting females from the area and by eliminating them from the breeding pool. Less mosquitoes laying eggs means less mosquitoes period! Accordingly, to achieve the best results from your Lentek MK12 Mosquito Trap Guardian, you must leave it in operation full-time during the mosquito season. The trap is not meant for occasional use, such as during an outdoor party.

Given that the Lentek MK12 Guardian mosquito trap is new to the market, there is far less research data available regarding capture rates and effectiveness, however, based on the initial success of our customers with the product and the core technology, we expect the MK12 Guardian to have very similar effectiveness as the highly tested and aclaimed Lentek MK01 mosquito trap on which it is based. In fact, for certain species, the addition of the octenol attractant strip should significantly improve capture rates! In a comparison of mosquito traps, Consumer Reports Magazine concluded that the Lentek MK01 Mosquito Trap and The Mosquito Magnet Liberty caught the most mosquitos in the test area over a 20 hour period, making them the two highest performing mosquito control products in the test.