5/02/2010

Review of Mosquito Magnet MM3100 Liberty Plus

After doing my research, I decided to give Coleman's Mosquito Deleto 2500 a try.I first considered the Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus. But, after reading numerous reviews detailing all of the quality control issues and/or quirky problems people have getting that unit to start and stay lit, I decided that the street price for the Liberty Plus was just too high for a product that didn't seem very reliable or serviceable by the consumer.I also work with 4 people who own either the Liberty or the Liberty Plus and it turns out that 3 of the 4 people have gone through one or more of the well documented non-recoverable problems with these units. I also found a CBS News link that did an excellent test on both the Coleman 2500, the Liberty Plus, and third mosquito trap called the Skeeter Vac - and based on reading that article, I decided to get the Coleman unit.

The Coleman Mosquito Deleto 2500 unit I bought appears to be a re-engineered version of the Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus, at half the cost, about $330.(Do not confuse the Coleman 2500 with the earlier Coleman mosquito trap which uses sticky paper to trap the bugs.Many reviews of that Coleman sticky trap unit show that it doesn't catch many bugs. - so I decided to stay away from that one also.)

After installing the unit in my back yard, I can tell you that it catches lots of mosquitoes and tiny no-see-ums, and it makes a big difference in getting bitten in my yard.I live adjacent to my town forest, so I placed the unit at the edge of the woods, thinking the bugs will get attracted to the unit before flying around my back yard and biting me and my family.I had a camp fire out back a couple of nights ago, and I was actually able to sit there in shorts without taking a DEET bath! The unit started up easily and I like the fact that Coleman used a simple battery pack which consists of 3-AA NiCad batteries which can be purchased cheaply virtually anywhere when they finally run out of juice. (Try replacing a dead "power module" on the Liberty Plus -HA!!! Good luck and empty your wallet!)

I do have to say that ALL of these propane driven mosquito traps have an inherent problem which potential buyers should be aware of.They use propane at an extremely SLOW rate.A 20 lb. bottle of gas is suppose to last about thee weeks - while running continuously.Because of this, the fuel nozzle opening is VERY tiny and is virtually guaranteed to eventually get clogged - don't be fooled, I believe that the majority of these type of mosquito traps will fail to work because of partial or total clogging of the fuel nozzle!In fact, my Deleto 2500 got clogged and stopped working after a while.What I like once again is Coleman's simple and practical solution to this problem.First of all - the gas nozzle is a $3 part and they give you an extra one.Secondly, it is easily removable by the use of a hand tool that is mounted on the trap so you don't loose the tool. Since you can remove the nozzle, unclogging it is accomplished by simply removing the tip from the nozzle - and cleaning it with a solvent like carburetor cleaner and blowing it out with compressed air.The solvent does an excellent job of clearing out a totally clogged tip and you don't have to shell out $$$ for CO2 cartridges every month to clear out the fuel system like the Liberty.Plus, CO2 alone doesn't clean out the tiny tip as effectively as a solvent- never can, never will!!! You will never be able to clean out the Liberty fuel tip with solvent because, guess what....it is NOT serviceable by the owner.What where they thinking when they designed this!!! Personally, I think this is why there are so many problems with the Liberty units during the second season of use.Coleman's approach to this problem is simple, practical, and cheep!I hope I continue to feel this way next year....only time will tell.Because of this, I think the Coleman Mosquito Deleto 2500 is the way to go, but don't forget, you will have to occasionally clean the tip out to keep it running(or replace it for $3 if you don't want to deal with cleaning it).


Click Here to see more reviews about: Mosquito Magnet MM3100 Liberty Plus

Product Description:
The Mosquito Magnet is the only mosquito trap with patented Counterflow Technology that will significantly reduce the mosquito population in your yard.
Constructed of stainless steel and covering one acre, the Mosquito Magnet Pro is ideal for golf courses, restaurants, and resorts, as well as large backyard environments.
How It Works
Mosquitoes and other biting insects are attracted to humans by the carbon dioxide (CO2) we exhale. The Mosquito Magnet mimics a human by converting propane to CO2, heat, and moisture with its patented catalytic conversion technology. There is no external flame involved in this process.
Attracted by the CO2, mosquitoes and other biting insects are drawn to the Mosquito Magnet. When they reach the trap, our patented CounterFlow technology vacuums them into a net where they dehydrate and die within 24 hours.
The Mosquito Magnet is silent and odorless. When properly placed in your yard, the trap begins working immediately. Noticeable results are achieved in 7 to 10 days. To greatly reduce your biting insect population allow 4-6 weeks.
Only biting insects are targeted including mosquitoes, no-see-ums, black flies and biting midges, not beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees or moths.
What is Octenol?
Octenol is a naturally occurring by-product that comes from plants and some animals, (pheromone and kairomone) 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.
Which biting insects will the Mosquito Magnet capture?
Female blood seeking insects such as mosquitoes, no-see-ums (biting gnats), black flies, and sand flies. In some regions, the Mosquito Magnet has captured the yellow biting fly.
Will the Mosquito Magnet capture bees, moths, butterflies, ladybugs, or other beneficial insects?
No. Blood seeking insects have receptors in their maxillary palps (mouth parts) that sense carbon dioxide. Non-blood seeking insects, without these receptors, are not attracted.
Where should I place the Mosquito Magnet?
We recommend that you place the Mosquito Magnet near where the mosquitoes rest (foliage) and breed (water), not near people. If placed properly the mosquitoes and no-see-ums will be drawn to the Mosquito Magnet and away from you.
How soon will I see a difference in my yard?
If placed properly the Mosquito Magnet will begin trapping female mosquitoes immediately. You will begin to see noticeable results within 7-10 days. Within 4-6 weeks the mosquito breeding cycle will be interrupted, drastically reducing the population in your yard.
Is it possible to dramatically reduce the biting insect population in an area?
Yes. 90% of the mosquitoes biting you live within 100 yards of where you are. The other 10% are brought in by the wind (most mosquitoes do not migrate). They cannot detect your carbon dioxide beyond 100 yards. 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 many mosquitoes can I expect to capture?
The quantity of mosquitoes caught varies greatly, depending on your region's infestation level and how it is placed on your property. In tests in the Florida Everglades (high infestation) 1,500 were captured in one night. In more urban areas, catch results may be much less. A good yardstick is "Am I being bitten?"
What maintenance is necessary to keep the Mosquito Magnet running effectively?
The propane tank and octenol cartridge should be replaced every 21 days. We recommend having a full tank on-hand to swap out. The mosquitoes will quickly repopulate if the Mosquito Magnet is turned off. The net should be emptied when it is half full.
What other fuel can be used to run the Mosquito Magnet?
Any combination of propane and butane can be used, including pure butane. Natural gas cannot be used.
Is the Mosquito Magnet cost-effective?
Yes. Estimated propane costs are $10 - $12 per month. The Mosquito Magnet Liberty consumes about the same electricity as an electric clock.
Is the Mosquito Magnet quiet?
Yes. The only moving part is the internal fan, which is virtually silent.
When can the Mosquito Magnet be turned off?
The Mosquito Magnet should run continuously to catch both day- and night-biting mosquitoes until the temperature is consistently below 50º F.
Features
  • Up to 1 acre coverage--perfect for large yards with deck, patio, or pool areas
  • Advanced diagnostics
  • Easy to operate--plug it in, push the button, and relax
  • Made from furniture-grade plastic which allows for all-weather performance
  • Wheels for mobility
  • Includes one net, one octenol cartridge, 50-foot cord with burying clips
  • No open flame
  • Patented Counterflow Technology
  • All-weather, round-the-clock performance
  • Silent, odorless operation
  • 24-hour protection from mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and black flies

Specifications
  • Size: 25" x 18" x 33"
  • Coverage: 1 acre
  • Construction: Furniture-grade plastics
  • Self powered; no power cord required
  • Additional attractant: Octenol Cartridge
  • Maintenance: Refill propane tank and replace Octenol cartridge every 21 days. Empty net when half full
  • Warranty: Limited One-year warranty


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