The Ruggedized Storm Sewer Trap Model 519.55 was developed in
concert with entomologists with the Mosquito Control
Division of the Harris County Public Health and
Environmental Services in 2002-2003 for trapping primarily
Culex quinquefasciatus females in the storm
sewer system of Harris County surrounding the city of
Houston. The body and lid are made of virtually
indestructible ABS plastic; the other parts of the trap
are either aluminum, stainless steel, or bronze.
The trap comes complete with a double-ring collection bag and D-cell battery holders mounted to the side of the trap. A rotary switch permits the trap to be turned on and off without removing or installing the batteries. The trap operates at 3 volts DC using 4 alkaline batteries; this wiring permits at least two trap nights per set of batteries.
This trap can be used above or below ground; it is essentially nothing more than a ruggedized version of some of our other miniature light traps such as the Model 512. The major differences include:
An ABS body that does not permit light transmission (unlike the transparent acrylic body of the
Model 512).
Operation at 3 volts vs. 6 volts for other, similar traps. This results in a slower fan speed and
light output shifted towards the yellow end of the spectrum.
Optional CO2 Release (PN 1.1)
Harris County suspends the ruggedized trap below our Insulated Dry-Ice Container (Igloo) (PN 1.10). The addition of dry ice
which involves CO2 gas, results in significant increases
in the number and diversity of mosquitoes caught and
makes the location of the trap less critical.
Used in the afternoon, it allows the collection of diurnally
active mosquitoes that are not normally attracted to
light traps. Our Insulated Dry Ice Container is simply
a modified Igloo® drink
cooler with stainless steel hardware to make it easy
to use with 2kg of dry ice. The
insulation slows the rate of sublimation and by hanging
the trap from the hook below the cooler, the CO2 is released
at the correct location, right above the trap.
