FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions to help you become familiar with our service. Can’t find an answer? Contact us for additional information.

What is a MosquitoMate ZAP Mosquito?

A ZAP male mosquito is an Aedes albopictus mosquito (common name: Tiger mosquito) that carries a naturally-occurring bacterium called ‘Wolbachia’. This bacterium occurs naturally in 60-70% of all insects already in your yard. Our ZAP Male mosquitoes are NOT genetically modified (Non GMO). ZAP males DO NOT BITE and DO NOT transmit disease causing agents. Our MosquitoMate technology is EPA registered and scientifically proven.

What is an invasive mosquito?

Invasive mosquitoes are mosquitoes from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment. Our target is the invasive Tiger mosquito from Asia. This invasive species is locally known to carry dog heartworm and is globally known to carry other disease pathogens. Reducing this invasive mosquito will not impact the native ecosystem.

How does the MosquitoMate service work?

MosquitoMate will produce the ZAP mosquitoes in our local facility and then deliver and release them weekly at your property throughout the mosquito season. We typically release near shady areas and places of dense vegetation where mosquito habitats are most likely to occur.

Will I see ZAP males on my property?

Yes. And every one of those ZAP males is working hard for you as they search for breeding sites and female mosquitoes. You may notice more male mosquitoes, however, males DO NOT BITE and do not transmit disease-causing agents.

What are “abatement” activities?

Abatement monitoring is part of your MosquitoMate season plan and includes removing standing water (potential mosquito breeding sites), applying non chemical mosquito dunks to standing water sources, and ongoing measures to prevent the establishment of mosquito breeding sites.

Will MosquitoMate harm my pets, birds, pollinators, or aquatic life?

No. MosquitoMate ZAP males are non GMO. There are no chemicals or toxins involved in the production or release of ZAP male mosquitoes. Our ZAP males are pollinators and will not bite you or your pets. Birds and fish may even enjoy eating a few!

Will MosquitoMate eliminate ALL the mosquitoes at my property?

No. MosquitoMate ZAP male mosquitoes will mate with invasive Tiger mosquito females, which are not native to the USA. This mosquito is a dawn-to-dusk-biting mosquito that is the main nuisance mosquito in Kentucky urban areas. If you are getting bitten by a mosquito during the day, it is likely a Tiger mosquito. By reducing this nuisance mosquito, you will be able to enjoy your outdoor living spaces again.

What does it mean to “survey” my property?

When you request an estimate for a summer season plan, MosquitoMate will schedule an appointment for a licensed professional applicator to survey your property for mosquito breeding habitat, identify potential items that could become breeding sites during the summer months, and answer questions you may have about our service. This will typically happen prior to sending the property estimate.

Is there a benefit to having several neighbors purchasing MosquitoMate season plans?

Neighbors working together to solve a problem is always a good thing. Those who live side by side or in front / behind one another can purchase individual plans at a cost savings. Releasing more ZAP males across a larger area will increase your protection zone and reduce or render more breeding sites ineffective, therefore, reducing your biting females. Everybody wins.

When do summer releases start and finish?

ZAP male releases will start at the beginning of the mosquito season (i.e., at first sign of mosquito activity) and continue until the mosquito population declines at the end of the season; approximately a 20 week / 40 application plan. The MosquitoMate ZAP method relies on the sustained presence of our male mosquitoes to mate and sterilize tiger female mosquitoes. When new mosquito eggs hatch or females fly into your property, the ongoing presence of ZAP males prevents the population from increasing. MosquitoMate will release ZAP males weekly, to ensure the wild type female mosquitoes will have more opportunity to mate with ZAP males than the wild type male mosquitoes. The result is population suppression of the tiger mosquito.

MosquitoMate releases an excess of ZAP males, relative to the number of wild type males at your property. Male mosquitoes DO NOT BITE! More ZAP males means better odds that female mosquitoes will mate with ZAP males (i.e., instead of mating with the male Tiger mosquitoes that are already in your yard). The result is suppression of the Tiger Mosquito at your property.

How often do MosquitoMate professionals come to my property? Do I have to be present during the visit?

Our professional applicators visit your property twice a week to release ZAP males. You do not need to be home. Ideally, we will be able to set a release schedule that works for you and have the access we need to perform our releases and conduct needed abatement activities.

What is the difference between a suppression approach versus a barrier spray?

Most barrier sprays include chemicals that can kill good insects (not just mosquitoes). Additionally, barrier sprays do not reach the small places containing water where mosquitoes like to breed and lay eggs. Barrier sprays can knock down adult mosquito populations, but the effectiveness wears off quickly.

MosquitoMate does not do barrier spraying. Instead, we introduce ZAP male mosquitoes to sterilize female tiger mosquitoes in your yard. ZAP males only mate with female tiger mosquitoes and will not bother beneficial insects.

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