Carbon dioxide alone is not enough. To complete the chemical profile, a cartridge containing octenol or lurex must be added.
Octenol is a versatile molecule that mimics phytochemicals. Lurex is a proprietary blend of chemicals that resemble sweat.
These chemicals act as effective attractants for different types of mosquitoes. Lurex-type chemicals are the most effective against imported tiger mosquitoes. Octenol is the most effective against mosquitoes native to the United States.
Chemical attractants are blown into the surrounding air by mixing with carbon dioxide and moisture. This creates a burst of gas that mosquitoes cannot resist. They fly against the wind and follow the plume to their source.
When the mosquitoes reach the trap, they encounter a vacuum created by the fan. It’s like a vacuum cleaner. The fan sucks in air and mosquitoes. They are trapped in a net bag.
There they die of dehydration.
