Chuck -

Being from MN (close to you) we deal with the d@m# things all the time.
I have yet to find anything that will trap and kill on its own, but I
have found something that is a tremendous asset inside the van.  It's a
device shaped like a small tennis racket (about the size of a badminton
racket, actually) and powered by two AA batteries.  The "net" or "head"
area of the device is electrified when you depress two buttons on the
handle.  Once the head of the racket is juiced up, just start swinging
and sweeping areas (like the ceiling) and you can kill dozens in a
single stroke.  And since it kills with a shock, and not with impact,
you avoid the nasty mess and barely have to make contact to kill the
buggers!

They work great for flies and other insects as well.  In fact, Ben Huot
and I used the one I have extensively on our trip to Baja.  I can still
hear the triumphant shouts from Ben's bus as he zapped dozens of winged
insects in minutes.

No $ interest on my part - just very happy with the gadget.  I have
found them at Harbor Freight Tools, sold under the name "Electronic Bug
Racket," or something similar.

Regards,
Derek

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Chuck Hill
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 7:08 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Camping question

This year the mosquitos are doing really well in my part of the country,
which raises a question in my mind.  Does anybody know of a gadget or
whatever to trap, catch, or get rid of the ones that have gotten into
the van and want to happily feast on you overnight?  It seems that
there's always one, buzzing by my ear, landing on my forehead, or
drilling into me somewhere, after the lights are out.  Camping with kids
is a real challenge, as they tend to be in and out of the van more
times, somehow bringing bugs with them.

I don't want to hear about fogging chemicals into the van, that may not
be such a good idea from a health standpoint.

Chuck Hill