Question 1

Why is CO2 so important for mosquitoes?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a particularly important attractant for most blood-sucking insects. It is a component of our exhaled breath and helps mosquitoes find people over greater distances. While ambient air contains only about 0.04 % CO2, human exhaled breath contains around 4 %.

Question 2

Which mosquito species are attracted by CO2?

Accepted Answer

Almost all mosquito species respond to CO2. It is particularly important for many species found mainly in Central Europe and other temperate regions, including house mosquitoes and floodwater mosquitoes. Tiger mosquitoes also respond to CO2 and can be caught even more effectively thanks to the additional CO2 source.

Question 3

Do I also need CO2 for tiger mosquitoes?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Tiger mosquitoes already respond strongly to the other cues of Biogents traps, particularly to human skin odour, which is mimicked by Biogents SWEETSCENT. However, CO2 can also significantly increase the catch rate for tiger mosquitoes – in studies, adding CO2 was able to multiply catch rates.

Question 4

What are the advantages of a mosquito trap with CO2?

Accepted Answer

Without CO2, a Biogents trap is particularly attractive to certain mosquito species that are mainly active during the day. Adding CO2 makes the trap attractive to a considerably broader range of species. This means that species such as house mosquitoes or floodwater mosquitoes, which are often active in the evening or at night, can also be caught more effectively.

Question 5

Why is CO2 particularly effective together with Biogents SWEETSCENT?

Accepted Answer

CO2 and Biogents SWEETSCENT mimic different human cues: CO2 simulates exhaled breath, while SWEETSCENT imitates human skin odour. Together they create a particularly realistic attractant profile that guides mosquitoes directly to the trap. Studies show that this combination can significantly increase the catch rate.

Question 6

How does CO2 help mosquitoes find the trap?

Accepted Answer

Mosquitoes use CO2 to track down potential blood meals. Since CO2 is a component of human exhaled breath, it serves as an indication that a human or another suitable host is nearby. Biogents CO2 traps release CO2 in a controlled way, imitating the CO2 released by a human.

Question 7

How much CO2 does a mosquito trap need?

Accepted Answer

With optimal release, even a comparatively small amount of CO2 can generate a high level of attractiveness. The Biogents information page cites a CO2 amount of around 500 g per day as a guideline. Actual consumption, however, depends on the trap used and in particular on the CO2 time windows that have been set.

Question 8

Can I reduce CO2 consumption?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With the Biogents CO2 CONTROL SET and the MyBiogents App, you can define the times at which CO2 is released. This allows the CO2 supply to be limited specifically to the times when mosquitoes are particularly active. This can reduce consumption and extend the service life of a CO2 cylinder.

Question 9

Which CO2 cylinders can I use for Biogents mosquito traps?

Accepted Answer

Biogents traps are compatible with various CO2 cylinder sizes – from 425 g sparkling water cylinders to larger cylinders containing, for example, 10 kg of CO2. Which size makes most sense depends on whether you want to run your trap with CO2 permanently or only occasionally.

Question 10

Is CO2 safe for humans and the environment?

Accepted Answer

CO2 is a naturally occurring component of the air we breathe. The CO2 used for the mosquito traps is the same gas that is used, for example, in the beverage industry. When used outdoors and in accordance with its intended purpose, the CO2 is released in a controlled way and in comparatively small quantities.

Question 11

Where does the CO2 in the gas cylinders come from?

Accepted Answer

The bottled CO2 is not produced specifically for use in mosquito traps. Among other things, it arises as a by-product of industrial processes and biological fermentation processes, and is then purified and bottled for various applications.

Question 12

How long does a CO2 cylinder last?

Accepted Answer

How long a CO2 cylinder lasts depends primarily on its size and on the CO2 time windows that have been set. With the MyBiogents App, you can schedule the release and thus adapt CO2 consumption to your actual needs.

Question 13

Do I need a CO2 trap if I am only bitten during the day?

Accepted Answer

If you are mainly bitten by mosquitoes during the day, a Biogents trap without CO2 can already be very effective – particularly against tiger mosquitoes. However, if you are also bothered by mosquitoes in the evening or at night, or if several mosquito species occur in your garden, a trap with CO2 offers the advantage of a considerably broader range of effect.

Question 14

Can I upgrade an existing Biogents mosquito trap with CO2?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Biogents suction traps can be upgraded to a CO2 trap with the Biogents CO2 CONTROL SET. This also allows the CO2 supply to be controlled and scheduled.

Question 15

Is there scientific evidence for the effect of CO2 in mosquito traps?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The effect of CO2 in combination with mosquito traps has been examined in scientific studies. A field study by Degener et al. (2019), listed on the Biogents website, investigated among other things the effect of CO2 on the trapping performance of the Biogents Mosquitaire and showed that adding CO2 can significantly increase catch rates of Asian tiger mosquitoes.
Source: Degener, C. M. et al. (2019): Field Trials to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Biogents®-SWEETSCENT Lure in Combination with Several Commercial Mosquito Traps and to Assess the Effectiveness of the Biogents-Mosquitaire Trap with and Without Carbon Dioxide. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 35(1), 32–39.

CO2 as an attractant for mosquito traps

Effectiveness, application & sources of supply

Frequently asked questions about CO2 as an attractant for mosquito traps