Question 1

What size area does the product cover?

Accepted Answer

One trap covers up to 300m² (with CO2 700m²) depending on mosquito population & design of the garden. There are many different criteria that influence the catch rate such as mosquito population, breeding waters, resting places, coppice, climate, surroundings, etc. As such, it’s hard to give a reliable indicator. Depending on whether your garden has a lot of plants or not, you may need a different number of traps for the same area. But, as a general rule, one BG-Mosquitaire trap covers roughly the area of one average-sized house and garden. Mosquitoes often fly around their surroundings in search of a host, and sooner or later they will pass by a well-placed trap running 24/7.

Question 2

How far should I distance the trap from human beings?

Accepted Answer

We recommend maintaining a distance of at least 5m between people and the trap. A human will always be more attractive than even the best trap, so the trap shouldn't be placed directly on stone, but in the greenery nearby; in a shady, humid, and wind-protected location where mosquitoes like to rest and breed.

Question 3

Where should I place the trap?

Accepted Answer

The best place to position our outdoor traps is somewhere shady, humid, and wind-protected, where mosquitoes like to rest and breed. To find the best position and to get the highest catch rates, test different locations! A few meters can make a big difference. To find the best place for our BG-Home indoor trap, find the place where mosquitoes enter the house, or find a dark corner on the floor or near plants. It is important to make sure that the fan of the trap runs 24 hours a day and especially if you are not at home. More info

Question 4

How many traps do I need to put in my garden?

Accepted Answer

One good trap in the right place is more effective than many traps in the wrong place. The catch area of a given trap depends primarily on wind direction, but also on many other factors. It is very important to place the trap in the vicinity of mosquito resting places such as bushes and greenery.
If you have several resting areas around your house at least 20m apart, it might be necessary to place extra traps.
Try a single trap first, and you will soon find out if you need more, or if you want to add CO2 to increase your catch. One trap covers up to 300m² (with CO2 700m²) depending on mosquito population & design of the garden.

Question 5

Will I be able to kill all the mosquitoes?

Accepted Answer

The trap itself doesn't kill mosquitoes, but they dehydrate and die once they are caught in the catch bag.
Looking at the whole population of mosquitoes in your area, you will be able to decrease the local population. However, you will not eliminate the whole population, because there will always be some breeding areas in the neighborhood where fresh mosquitoes can hatch. In general, the wider the area is that is covered with the traps, the better the effect. Therefore, to join forces with neighbors is a good idea!

Question 6

How many mosquitoes will I trap per day?

Accepted Answer

It is amazing how many mosquitoes can be caught in a short time. It depends on the size of the mosquito population where you are. If precautionary measures (e.g., destruction of breeding sites) have been correctly performed, the number of mosquitoes in the trap should decrease over the course of the season.

Question 7

How many times do I need to refill during the season?

Accepted Answer

All our traps need regular refilling to function properly throughout the season. One BG-Sweetscent sachet in the BG-Mosquitaire or BG-Home trap is effective for up to two months. After that, it should be replaced. BG-Sweetscents are also available as a season pack for six months (3 sachets). The sticky card in the BG-GAT should be replaced every two weeks or as soon as the card doesn't stick anymore. The sticky cards are available in sets of 10.

Question 8

Can I leave traps out in the rain? Will the electrical part and the attractant still work?

Accepted Answer

Our outdoor products are all rainproof to IP68, however, we recommend unplugging the BG-Mosquitaire in the case of a thunderstorm. The trap will not be damaged by the rain and the fan will continue to run but since mosquitoes do not fly in heavy rain, the trap will not catch as many mosquitoes as usual. Also, the catch rate will be reduced until the white upper part and gauze are dry again. Please consider that the BG-Home is an indoor trap and should not be used outdoors.

Question 9

Why does the attractant smell bad?

Accepted Answer

A major component of the Biogents suction trap attraction mechanism is a patented scent dispenser. It fills the upward-moving air that leaves the trap around the suction funnel with an artificial human skin scent. The dispensers release small amounts of substances that are also given off by human skin (by sweating). The development of an artificial human scent represents a huge milestone in over 16 years of mosquito research. It is a patented three-component scent imitator. The effect of our attractants has been measured and is scientifically proven. After opening a Biogents attractant, the smell remains relatively strong for the first three days. During this time, the odor is normally too strong for mosquitoes, so optimum attraction levels are usually only reached about three days after opening. From then on, odor release is lower, but remains constant.
For users of the BG-Home indoor trap, the smell of the BG-Homescent might be too strong to be used indoors during the first few days after opening a new pack. In this case, we recommend placing the sachets outdoors for two or three days to let the strong initial odor fade away. The trap can be used without an attractant in the meantime.

Question 10

Why is the fan making noise?

Accepted Answer

Our fans are designed especially for our traps (12V for BG-Mosquitaire, 5V for BG-Home). In order to catch the mosquitoes, the fan needs a certain amount of power. The noise is caused by friction and airflow created by the mechanical components in the product. The BG-Mosquitaire trap produces a noise level of about 50dB (measured at a distance of 1m from the trap in an empty room), and the BG-Home produces 47dB in the same conditions. The BG-GAT doesn’t need electricity and is therefore completely silent. The Biogents Team is constantly researching and developing to produce even quieter traps for you that don’t compromise on effectiveness.

Question 11

Are the traps dangerous for animals?

Accepted Answer

Traps are completely safe for pets, and no insecticides or pesticides are used whatsoever. However, pets and also children should be kept away from the electrical components of the BG-Mosquitaire or the BG-Home trap. All Biogents traps are insecticide-free and target specifically mosquitoes and no other beneficial insects (butterflies, bees).

Question 12

Is the BG-Home suitable for pregnant women and children?

Accepted Answer

Traps are safe for pregnant women and children, and they are all insecticide-free. However, children should be kept away from the trap’s electrical connections or the fan of the BG-Mosquitaire and BG-Home.

Question 13

Can I use the BG-Sweetscent for the BG-Mosquitaire and the BG-Home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The artificial human skin scent BG-Sweetscent is suitable for the BG-Mosquitaire and the BG-Home.

Question 14

Where can I find the BG-Homescent refills?

Accepted Answer

We no longer offer the BG-Homescent. Instead, use the BG-Sweetscent with longer effectiveness of up to 2 months for your BG-Home Indoor trap. This will also give you access to our subscriptions.

Question 15

Can I use the BG-Home outside?

Accepted Answer

The BG-Home is an indoor trap, which should not be used outdoors.

Question 16

Can I use the BG-Mosquitaire inside?

Accepted Answer

You can use the BG-Mosquitaire inside (without CO2). Don't forget that the BG-Mosquitaire is designed for outside use. In Europe, mosquitoes are mostly present outside, and therefore we recommend catching mosquitoes outside before they enter the house. The BG-Home will help you catch the few mosquitoes that enter your home.

Question 17

Where can I buy spares?

Accepted Answer

Here in our webshop.

Question 18

What do I have to do if my trap doesn't work anymore?

Accepted Answer

Our products are guaranteed for two years. The guarantee is subject to use in accordance with the instructions for use. If you have an issue, you can always contact us at webshop@biogents.com or contact your local distributor. You can also find many spare parts for the traps here in our webshop.

Question 19

Why does Biogents recommend using three different traps?

Accepted Answer

To achieve the best mosquito protection in your garden and inside your home, we recommend using the Biogents Trap System. This consists of one BG-Mosquitaire + two BG-GATs + one BG-Home. While the BG-Mosquitaire targets mosquitoes that are seeking a host and want to bite you, the BG-GAT targets tiger mosquitoes that are looking for a place to lay their eggs. Each egg-laying female that is trapped can eliminate 30-300 offspring from the next generation and prevent the potential for disease transmission from virus-infected mosquitoes. With these two strategies, you can reduce biting pressure as well as the next generation of tiger mosquitoes. Of course, mosquitoes are not only found outdoors, they also enter the house. Here the BG-Home indoor trap can help: It captures mosquitoes and other flying pest insects inside the house. Should you want to increase your outdoor catch rates even further, the best solution is provided by the BG-Mosquitaire with CO2. Our BG-Booster allows you to add CO2 to your BG-Mosquitaire from a CO2 cylinder. The addition of CO2 makes the BG-Mosquitaire even more attractive for a wide range of mosquitoes including flood water or dawn biting mosquitoes and can multiply the catch rate of tiger mosquitoes by 10.

Question 20

What is the BG-Booster CO2 for?

Accepted Answer

The BG-Booster CO2 combines our traps with CO2 which attracts more mosquitoes. By releasing the optimum quantity of CO2, you can increase catch rates. The addition of CO2 through our BG-Booster CO2 by connecting the trap to a CO2 bottle (not included) makes the BG-Mosquitaire even more attractive for a wide range of mosquitoes including flood water or dawn biting mosquitoes and can multiply the catch rate of tiger mosquitoes by 10.

Question 21

What is the BG-CO2 Timer for?

Accepted Answer

The BG-CO2 Timer helps you regulate the flow of your CO2 cylinder. We recommend releasing 0.5kg CO2 per day (see gauge on the BG-Booster CO2). You can program the BG-CO2 Timer to only release CO2 in the hours the mosquitoes are most active (features two timing windows). These are usually at sunrise and sunset. We suggest programming the timer from 06:00 to 10:00 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to midnight (time to be adapted for each region).

Question 22

Where can I find CO2 bottles?

Accepted Answer

The CO2 used is the same as used in the restaurant industry. CO2 Cylinders can be purchased locally in most countries across the world at beverage wholesalers. The regulator can be used in Europe and some other countries outside of Europe with DIN 477 No. 6 CO2 gas cylinders. This regulator is W 21.8 x 1/14".

Question 23

Why do I have to use CO2?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide (also known as carbonic acid or CO2), a component of human breath, is the most important attractant for the majority of blood-sucking insects, and therefore for mosquitoes. If you are mainly bothered by mosquitoes in the evening, or if you live near flood areas, the reason for the nuisance is most probably not tiger mosquitoes, but house or flood mosquitoes.
In this case, you need to add CO2 to the BG-Mosquitaire trap to increase capture rates for these mosquito species. CO2 is an important attractant for all mosquito species. CO2 and the BG-Sweetscent work together in synergy. Together they can greatly increase the amount of captured mosquito species and maximize the capture rate (also for tiger mosquitoes). Through our BG-Booster CO2, the CO2 is optimally distributed, and the release can be adjusted to the local and seasonal mosquito situation. The release of CO2 from each trap is roughly equivalent to the amount of CO2 produced by a small child.

Question 24

Is CO2 dangerous for me?

Accepted Answer

CO2 must always be handled safely, but if you only use it outside as recommended, there should be no risk at all for you or the environment. A CO2 cylinder should always be placed vertically, ensuring that it cannot fall. Please refer to your supplier's instructions.

Question 25

Is CO2 dangerous for the environment?

Accepted Answer

The quantity of CO2 released per day is the same as the amount a young child breathes in one day. CO2 is colorless, tasteless, non-flammable, with a very faint sour smell. It is reclaimed from industrial production units (production of ammonia, bioethanol, etc.), so its use as a mosquito attractant does not constitute an additional contribution of harmful CO2 to the planet, but is in fact only a delayed diffusion of recycled CO2 (industrial waste).

Question 26

How long does a CO2 bottle last?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the size of the CO2 bottle. We recommend releasing 0.5kg per day, which means that a 10kg CO2 tank will last around 20 days. Using a BG-CO2 Timer, you can reduce the CO2 release to only eight hours a day (a third of the first example), then the tank will last about two months (60 days).

Question 27

When do mosquitoes bite? Day or night?

Accepted Answer

There are around 3500 different mosquito species worldwide with about 100 in Europe. Species can vary with distinct living patterns. Certain species appear in relatively low densities, while others gather en masse such as flood water mosquitoes. In general, tiger mosquitoes are day-biting mosquitoes while common mosquitoes will bother you at sunrise or sunset.

Question 28

Are mosquitoes attracted by light?

Accepted Answer

No, it is scientifically proven that light doesn't attract mosquitoes. It is commonly said that mosquitoes are attracted to light, but this is a misconception. Mosquitoes are not attracted to light, but enter your home when you are there, simply because you are breathing and therefore emit signals that are attractive to mosquitoes: heat, skin odor, CO2.

Question 29

Where are the mosquitoes in my garden?

Accepted Answer

Mosquitoes’ preferred resting areas are usually shady, humid, and wind-protected locations. In addition to that, water reservoirs such as flowerpots, vases, buckets, water barrels, rain gutters, puddles, or even discarded cups that contain water are usually breeding sites for mosquitoes. The most shady and humid place at noon time is usually the best place to catch mosquitoes. Experiment and try several places or move the trap a few meters and analyze the difference.

Question 30

Where do they lay their eggs? And how many do they lay?

Accepted Answer

Each female lays between 30 and 300 eggs. Culex lay their eggs in "pods" on the surface of the water. Tiger mosquitoes lay their eggs on a moist substrate at the water's edge. For more information, please have a look here.

Question 31

How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?

Accepted Answer

The lifecycle of a mosquito can take from seven days to one month depending on the mosquito species and the temperature (the hotter it is, the faster the cycle).

Question 32

Why do I need to keep my trap continuously plugged in?

Accepted Answer

The BG-Mosquitaire should be plugged in 24/7 to keep the catch rate constant and significantly reduce the mosquito population also when you are not in the garden. Catch them before they bite you! The same applies to the BG-Home.

Question 33

When do I have to install the traps in my garden?

Accepted Answer

The sooner you can activate the trap the better. Around springtime, or when temperatures rise above 15° C. By using the trap, you will be able to maintain the mosquito population as low as possible by catching every single mosquito as soon as possible in the season, where each one could lay up to 300 eggs. Those eggs would turn in potential biting mosquitoes, reproduce and increase the mosquito population exponentially. A mosquito that you find in your garden probably hatched within 200m of your home.

Question 34

What is the difference between the three traps?

Accepted Answer

Our traps catch mosquitoes in different stages of their development and are made for mosquito control outdoors and indoors. While the BG-Mosquitaire targets mosquitoes that are seeking a host and want to bite you, the BG-GAT targets tiger mosquitoes that are looking for a place to lay their eggs. Each egg-laying female that is trapped can eliminate 30-300 offspring from the next generation and prevent the potential for disease transmission from virus-infected mosquitoes. With these two strategies, you can reduce biting pressure as well as the next generation of tiger mosquitoes. Of course, mosquitoes are not only found outdoors, as they also enter the house. In this case, the BG-Home indoor trap can help: It captures tiger mosquitoes and other flying pest insects inside the house. Should you want to increase your outdoor catch rates even further, the best solution is provided by the BG-Mosquitaire with CO2. Our BG-Booster allows you to add CO2 to your BG-Mosquitaire from a CO2 cylinder. The addition of CO2 makes the BG-Mosquitaire even more attractive for a wide range of mosquitoes including flood water or dawn biting mosquitoes and can multiply the catch rate of tiger mosquitoes by 10. To achieve the best mosquito protection in your garden and inside your home, we recommend using the Biogents Trap System. This consists of one BG-Mosquitaire + two BG-GATs + one BG-Home.

Question 35

Do the traps really work?

Accepted Answer

The control effect of our traps is scientifically proven. There are more than 400 publications using the traps or evaluating their effectiveness. Biogents traps have now been sold in more than 100 countries. For more than 16 years, Biogents mosquito traps have been used by researchers, organizations, city councils, and individuals around the world. Our customers include the U.S., German and French armed forces, numerous mosquito control districts, and public health organizations around the world, including WHO, CDC, Institut Pasteur, .... More information.

Question 36

Why should I purchase Biogents traps instead of other mosquito traps that are on the market?

Accepted Answer

If you are suffering from a mosquito infestation and want to reduce the number of bites, then you should buy the BG-Mosquitaire trap. The BG-Mosquitaire has been specifically developed for use against tiger mosquitoes. Many international scientific studies that have been published in the top global scientific journals and also presented at major scientific conferences, conclude that the BG-Mosquitaire trap catches a much higher number of mosquitoes than other mosquito traps do. As such we can say with confidence, it is the best tiger mosquito trap. These publications can also be viewed on our website.

Question 37

Do they work for camping?

Accepted Answer

Biogents mosquito traps can be installed on permanent campsites (outdoor BG-Mosquitaire and BG-GAT) and in campsite accommodation (BG-Home). It is important to choose the right position near mosquito resting areas (https://eu.biogents.com/positioning-application/). In order to increase your catch rate and the range of mosquito species captured, you would need to use an additional attractant with your BG-Mosquitaire, such as CO2.

Question 38

Can I use the BG-Home in my RV, campervan, motorhome or caravan?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, we would recommend running the trap while you are out and keeping the windows and doors closed on your return to avoid further mosquitoes entering.

Question 39

When will the trap begin to be effective?

Accepted Answer

The Biogents trapping method needs about a week to start working properly. The traps (“artificial human beings”) are permanently present as opposed to human beings, and they catch wandering mosquitoes, so the active population (and its reproduction rate) will be kept down in the long run.

Question 40

Is it possible to run the traps with batteries or solar power?

Accepted Answer

Theoretically, this possibility already exists, but we do not yet have a suitable solution for this in our product portfolio for private customers. The BG-Mosquitaire can be run off a 12V leisure battery which you could add a solar panel to (30-50W recommened). Be aware that a mosquito trap should be placed in a shady area, while the solar panel has to be in a sunny place. The Biogents Team is constantly researching and developing to produce even better solutions in the future. In the meantime, you can use our extension cable to be able to plug the trap in, but still have the best possible positioning for it.

Question 41

How and when do I change the catch bags of the BG-Mosquitaire?

Accepted Answer

We recommend changing bags regularly, at least every time you change the attractant. A bag that is clogged with captured mosquitoes does not allow the fan to suck properly and makes the trap less effective. The steps for changing the catch bag can be found in the instructions manual that is provided in the packaging.

Question 42

How can I ensure that the mosquitoes caught in the catch bag of the BG-Mosquitaire and are still alive do not fly out of the bag while I am changing it?

Accepted Answer

Slightly pull the intake funnel out of the trap so that the catch bag is still within the suction current of the fan. Pull the catch bag off the funnel net, and simultaneously tighten the cord of the bag so it is shut. You can find these directions in the instructions manual that is provided in the packaging.

Question 43

Where should I store the trap during the winter?

Accepted Answer

The best location for storage is somewhere enclosed and not exposed to winter weather. Do not store the trap below freezing point for an extended period of time.

Question 44

Does the trap work also for biting midges?

Accepted Answer

The BG-Mosquitaire used with CO2 (BG-Mosquitaire + BG-Booster + CO2) does also catch biting midges. Although the BG-Mosquitaire is optimized to catch mosquitoes, our experience shows that midges (no-see-ums, or as scientists call them, Ceratopogonidae) are indeed captured when CO2 is added. However, there are currently no studies for this use, unlike mosquitoes which we have lots of study data on.

Question 45

How do Biogents mosquito traps affect the environment? Doesn't this take away a food source for birds and bats?

Accepted Answer

In many countries, insecticides are used extensively to control mosquitoes, which are exterminated on a large scale there, not only because of mosquito bites, but because of disease transmission such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya fever. Due to the use of insecticides, the entire animal and plant world also suffers. Other types of mosquito traps, on the other hand, often work with UV light, which attracts and kills any insects. All of this can be prevented by using our mosquito traps, which attract mosquitoes only by using an attractant developed based on 16 years of mosquito research. Due to the establishment of the tiger mosquito in our region, it is also important to control mosquito populations in a sustainable manner due to disease transmission. This is because invasive mosquitoes are not among the species that are becoming extinct, but are increasingly spreading in Europe as well, posing a major risk for disease. (See: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/surveillance-and-disease-data/mosquito-maps) Moreover, mosquitoes are a very small food source for birds, bats, etc. (less than 5%). The 5% is based on studies that have examined the food intake of bats and birds. But also in other scientific publications you can read that the percentage of natural predators for mosquitoes is only a very marginal proportion. Mosquitoes have a huge reproduction potential (there are 300+ eggs produced by a single female). Mosquitoes die mainly because of abiotic factors such as outside temperature. As our company was founded by biologists, we are always eager to have our traps tested and evaluated in long-term studies worldwide in order to be able to scientifically verify the impact on biodiversity. You can find out more at:
https://eu.biogents.com/scientific-foundation-publications/
In a large project in the Maldives, the use of our mosquito traps has allowed the environment to recover from years of insecticide spraying, allowing native insects and flowering plants to return. can find more information on this topic at:
https://blog.biogents.com/soneva-and-biogents-lead-the-way-in-sustainable-mosquito-management-in-the-maldives
Mosquito control therefore only has a negative ecological effect if the extermination is carried out over a wide area and is not targeted, thus affecting a wide range of insects and animals. This is not the case with our traps.
And last but not least: Our traps are live traps. You could even change the trap bags daily and release the catch at a safe distance or freeze them and then feed them frozen to birds and fish.

Question 46

What is the power consumption of the traps?

Accepted Answer

Our active traps have all a very low power consumption. The BG-Mosquitaire trap needs only 5 watts to run. A BG-Home trap needs 10 watts (in order to support the LED lights, the heat, and the fan). In both cases that is less than some energy saving lamp requires. The BG-GAT tiger mosquito trap does not need any electrical power at all.

Question 47

Where is the Biogents company based?

Accepted Answer

Biogents Head Quarters are in Germany. The best way to get in touch is using the contact form.

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions about Biogents mosquito traps

Sign up for our newsletter