Air Curtain for Flying Insect Control

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

We love the outdoor patio at our new-to-us home here in the Southwest, especially during the evening hours. Fortunately we are not inundated with mosquitos, but we do have a problem with other flying insects congregating near the patio doorway and flying into the house - in droves - whenever we open the door, even for a few seconds.

I've been researching ways to control this problem, and I'm considering installing an air curtain. An air curtain is a longitudinal fan which mounts over a doorway and is activated whenever the door is opened, creating a blast of air which keeps out the bugs (and dust and whatnot) and keeps in the cooler air. Truth be told I wasn't even aware of their existence, or their function, until just recently, but now I do recall encountering these devices many times at restaurants and shops during our visit to Florida several years ago.

It would appear there is now a large residential market for these devices, and the newest ones are claiming to be much quieter than those of years past.

Does anyone here have any experience with them, and if so do they really work? Any recommendations?
Alternately, any ideas for keeping the flying insects away from our patio door?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jacko264]

No experience but sounds a good idea

 

[jonesg]

turn off all lights over the door, block interior lights from shining through any glass in the door.
use a screen door. hang an ultra violet bug zapper.... not too close to the door.

 

[ordpete944]

My first job at an ice cream place in Florida had one of these to keep bugs out of the screened patio area. It worked great. I remember it was loud but there were no bugs. You should install one.

 

[strutaeng]

Interested.

No experience but I've also thought about this. My little kids will often open the door and leave it open and we get flies and mosquitoes. I absolutely hate both! Sometimes it has even happened to me: as soon as open the door I see a fly buzz by!

The kiddos are getting better at it after me yelling across the house or backyard, LOL.

 

[manwithtools]

No experience, but at the cost of electricity that is at it's highest from 4-9 PM here in our area, I'd be curious to know what the power consumption is?

 

[kbuhagiar]

No experience, but at the cost of electricity that is at it's highest from 4-9 PM here in our area, I'd be curious to know what the power consumption is?

Excellent point.

I'm also curious about the noise level, although the ones I've researched (which are geared toward residential applications) are claiming to be very quiet (50dB) and it would only operate while the door is open.

 

[FredWanaker]

dim the lights in the house, turn off the light near the door, and set up a bright light where you want the insects to congregate. I always wondered what was special about yellow lights and insects - the answer is nothing. The yellow light is supposed to be used near the door because it is dimmer, and then a bright light placed elsewhere. They go to the brightest light. We get flies in the garage sometimes and to get rid of them we turn off all the lights in the garage, open the door about a foot for a minute or two and they go for the light. That is also why you find dead flying insects on your windowsill.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Would just hanging a strong fan on the wall above the most-used door way pointing downward work? It wouldn't turn on and off with door opening but it would knock down any flying bugs.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Would just hanging a strong fan on the wall above the most-used door way pointing downward work? It wouldn't turn on and off with door opening but it would knock down any flying bugs.

Thought about this idea, too, but because of the door's location, it may not be practical.

 

[ZRX61]

Would just hanging a strong fan on the wall above the most-used door way pointing downward work? It wouldn't turn on and off with door opening but it would knock down any flying bugs.

That's basically what they do in stables to keep flies off the horses. Multiple fans pointing different directions.