Lentek Mosquito Trap - Frequently Asked Questions

Operating the Mosquito Trap

How does the Lentek Mosquito Trap work?

CLICK HERE for a detailed explanation.

Why should I purchase the Lentek brand as opposed to other brands on the market?

Not all mosquito traps are created equally, in fact, there is a huge variance in the performance of units on the market. Virtually all independent tests, including a test by Consumer Reports Magazine in 2003, conclude that the Lentek MK01 Mosquito Trap and Mosquito Magnet are the best performing commercial units on the market and that they have very similar (no statistical difference) capture ratios. 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. 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! We have chosen to sell the Lentek Mosquito Trap exclusively because it costs substantially less than the Mosquito Magnet, and it has a more powerful fan that captures larger biting insects which can escape other traps. Further most competing traps require owners to purchase replacement glue boards or CO2 which can be very inconvenient. For these reasons, we feel that the Lentek Mosquito Trap offers the best value on the market. For a thorough comparison to other products, please CLICK HERE.

When should the Lentek Mosquito Trap be operated?

Mosquitoes tend to become active when the outdoor temperature rises and consistently stays above approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The movement of outside temperatures into this range generally marks the beginning of the mosquito season. Similarly, the season tends to end when temperatures drop below this level in the fall. In warmer regions, the season may last the entire year.

Will the Lentek Mosquito Trap capture other insects?

Yes, the Lentek Mosquito Trap is designed specifically to mimic the blood meal of all biting insects including mosquitoes and no-see-ums (gnats, black flies, and sand flies). The fan on the Lentek Mosquito Trap is powerful enough to capture these insects - the same cannot be said for most competitors! Recent testing has also found that The Lentek Mosquito Trap can capture some deer flies and horse flies! The Lentek Mosquito Trap will not generally capture non-blood feeding beneficial insects.

Why does the Lentek Mosquito Trap need to run 24 hours per day?

There are many different species of mosquitoes and each are more active at different times of the day. Around the clock operation of your Lentek Mosquito Trap will ensure that each species is trapped. Long intervals between operation would also give breeding females the opportunity to lay more eggs. The Lentek Mosquito Trap is designed specifically for safe and economical long-term, continuous operation.

Isn't the carbon dioxide (CO2) released by the trap bad for the environment?

The amount of carbon dioxide released by the trap is very small relative to other equipment. In fact, the amount of CO2 released is about the same as that from an adult human over the same period of time. Also, don't forget that the Lentek mosquito trap is an alternative to chemical insecticides which are much more harmful to the environment.

How loud is the Lentek Mosquito Trap?

The sound emitted from the vacuum fan noise level is roughly comparable to that of a home dehumidifier or countertop fan. This level of sound is easily dissipated outdoors. Since you should ideally place the trap away from your primary outdoor living space, you should hardly notice the noise of the trap, if at all.

How long will it take to notice a reduction in mosquitoes?

While some relief can be expected within a few days, the process of systematically reducing mosquitoes from an area is not an overnight process. Most customers report a significant difference in bothersome mosquitoes within two weeks. After two months, the population of mosquitoes in the area should be dramatically reduced. The number of mosquitoes caught daily should start to decrease significantly as the breeding population has been substantially eliminated. If after three weeks you do not notice an improvement in mosquito control and see evidence of trapped mosquitoes in the trap, consider repositioning your trap (see below).

Where should I place my trap?

The Lentek Mosquito Trap will capture the most mosquitoes when positioned 30 to 40 feet from your main outdoor living area (the area you most want to protect). Biting female mosquitoes generally fly upwind in search of their blood meals since they have a difficult time flying back to the resting area when they are weighed down by their heavy meals, so ideally your trap should be located upwind of the a primary breeding area (if known) and in between this breeding area and your outdoor living space. This positioning will enable the trap to intercept mosquitoes before they reach the area you are trying to protect. The CO2 plume attractant will also be distributed over the breeding area to attract the greatest number of mosquitoes. Also, when placing your trap, remember that mosquitoes do not generally like direct sun. Try to position your trap in the shade and away from tall grass or other barriers that might interfere with the release and distribution of the CO2 attractant.

Can the Lentek Mosquito Trap be used indoors?

No, the Lentek MK01 and MK12 Mosquito Traps are designed for outdoor use only. However, you can use the Lentek EcoTrap indoors as it does not derive its C02 source from propane.

My trap is not catching many mosquitoes? What's wrong?

If you trap has been in operation for several weeks and you have recently noticed that it is not catching as many mosquitoes as it used to, this is because you have already collapsed the breeding mosquito population around your home. This means that your mosquito control efforts have been successful. Alternatively, a major increase in temperature can also cause a temporary reduction in mosquito populations in your area, as can a drop in temperatures below 50F or 10C. Simply stated, there are fewer mosquitoes around to catch. If none of the above appear to be the reason, make sure the capture cup is attached properly and that the lid is opening while the trap is turned on. If you still notice mosquitoes on your property, they may also be male mosquitoes which do not bite (they are not attracted to the trap as they do not seek a blood meal for breeding purposes like female mosquitoes. Please call us for assistance in trap re-location or other troubleshooting if you are not catching mosquitoes - we can help!

Maintaining the Mosquito Trap

How often does the propane tank need to be refilled?

Approximately once every 3 to 4 weeks based on continuous operation.

How often does the capture cup need to be emptied?

The new capture cup utilized on the Lentek Mosquito Trap is self cleaning and rarely needs attention. The large amount of airflow through the capture cup grinds the mosquitoes captured against the metal mesh of the capture cup, breaking the mosquitoes into small pieces that are blown out through the mesh.

How do I clean my Lentek Mosquito Trap?

Simply wipe off the outside of the trap with a clean, slightly damp cloth to remove dust, pollen, or other contaminants. DO NOT clean the unit by immersing in water, spraying with water, etc., otherwise electric shock could result.

What should I do if my trap stops working?

Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Consult your owner's manual and contact the manufacturer, Koolatron, for assistance.

Order, Warranty, and Guarantee Questions

What is the Warranty on the Lentek MK12 Mosquito Trap?

Lentek International/Koolatron warrants the Mosquito Trap to be free of manufacturing defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. Lentek/Koolatron will replace the entire product, or at its option, repair or replace defective parts, without charge. See our policies page for more details.

Do you have a satisfaction guarantee?

Yes absolutely! If you are not satisfied with the quality of the Mosquito Trap or it does not capture mosquitoes, simply return it within 30 days of original purchase for a full refund less original shipping charges. If you are having difficulties with your unit, please call us - in most cases we can quickly resolve the problem and ensure you are trapping a maximum number of mosquitoes.

Is my credit card number safe?

Secure order processing is of paramount importance to us. Security is provided by industry standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology (128 bit encryption). All sensitive personal and financial information entered during the checkout process, including your credit card number, is encrypted while traveling over the Internet. Your Internet browser will display either a 'complete key' icon in the lower left corner (Netscape Navigator) or 'lock' icon in the lower right corner (Internet Explorer) of your screen when the SSL technology is enabled.

How do I know if my order went through?

Once your order is placed, you will be taken to an order confirmation screen that will provide you with an order tracking / reference number. You should receive a confirmation e-mail within a few hours, or in the morning of the next business day. This email indicates that your payment was successfully approved and that your order has been processed. If you have any questions about your order, please call us toll free at 1-866-376-2690 or e-mail us at info@home-mosquito-control.com.

I am having problems adding items to my shopping cart or using the checkout - what should I do?

Your browser settings or a firewall may be conflicting with our order system software. You can place your order by phone by calling us toll free at 1-866-376-2690.

What are your shipping and return policies?

Please refer to our policies page: CLICK HERE.