AGENDA #5i
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: “Mosquito Magnet” Program
DATE: August 28, 2000
A Council member recently referred the attached media advisory titled “Huntington Unveils Mosquito Magnet” to staff for review to see if such a program would be feasible for Chapel Hill.
The “Mosquito Magnet” program involves use of a standard twenty pound propane tank, which operates without electricity or batteries and lasts about three weeks, burning twenty-four hours daily. The tank emits a mix of carbon dioxide, water vapor and humidity, and then releases a plume of carbon dioxide to attract biting insects. This effect eradicates the female population of mosquitoes within a three-quarter to one acre area.
We discussed the program with the suggested contact person in Huntington, New York, and learned that their use of the program has been in effect for about a month and that they have not had sufficient data to reach conclusions as to its effectiveness in controlling mosquito populations there. They are encouraged by preliminary results.
The New York contact provided us with sources of additional information about the program. We find that the mosquito magnet program is most effective when the source of mosquito problem relates to a single location, such as a wastewater treatment plant or marsh. One magnet is reportedly effective at removing mosquitoes within a three-quarter to one acre area. The magnet also seems to be effective at reducing mosquito populations around a central location, such as a restaurant.
Our mosquito problems generally stem from narrow strips of flooded woodlands that run for many miles, as well as from small isolated sites. Given an effective service range of about one acre per magnet and a unit cost of about $1,000, plus $15 per month maintenance per magnet, the Town would require a significant outlay to provide sufficient magnets throughout all troublesome areas. For example, in the Cleland Drive area, we would need an estimated seven magnets at an annual cost of about $8,300.
By comparison, our program last year for the entire Town involved placement of bacterial larvicide at the beginning of the mating season (March – April) and periodic inspections to deal with specific problems. This is a relatively safe, effective and environmentally friendly method which selectively kills mosquitoes in their larval stage. Our cost for this material was less than $500 for the year. Based on our information, it appears to us that the likely benefits from changing to the “Mosquito Magnet” would not justify the costs.