• Scent: CO2 and Octenol (a product that mimics cow's breath) are components of human and animal breath and attract mosquitoes.   More recently, lactic acid (a component of perspiration) has been added as a lure. It is particularly good at attracting the Asian Tiger mosquito. CO2 released from a tank or as a byproduct of converting propane can be perceived by a mosquito up to a distance of 100 feet to lure, trap and kill mosquitoes.  CO2 mosquito trap is the lure that reaches out the farthest.  Octenol is contained in a fragrance strip that is distributed by movement of the wind.  Octenol and Lactic Acid alone can be perceived at a distance of around 50 feet.  It has been shown that CO2 combined with Octenol is much more attractive than CO2 alone to all mosquitoes and that CO2, Octenol and Lactic Acid together are very attractive to the Asian Tiger Mosquito.  The most recent mosquito trap lure, the Combo lure, combines Octenol and Lactic Acid and has tested much more attractive to Asian Tiger mosquitoes and midges.  It is also more attractive than Octenol alone to most other mosquitoes.
• Movement and Light: Mosquitoes can perceive movement and objects that differ in color from the background from a distance of around 30 feet. As the mosquito following the scent comes nearer, it senses movement of an animal or human and targets it. Some of the models we carry create the appearance of movement to the mosquito by tiny flashing LED lights in the body of the mosquito killer or repellent machine.
• Moisture: Animals perspire which can be perceived by mosquitoes close to the source. A mosquito machine that uses propane gives off moisture, to lure and kill mosquitoes.
• Heat: Animals are usually warmer than their surroundings. Receptors on the mosquito's antenna help locate warmer areas from a distance of 10 feet, more if it is humid. The mosquito machine styles that convert propane give off some heat as the final lure in order to trap and kill mosquitoes.

So in summary, mosquitoes are first attracted by CO2 up to 100 feet distant and start to fly towards the source.  Next Octenol and Lactic acid start to be perceived around 50 feet (the Combo lure is particularly effective).  As the insect continues toward the source, the lights and apparent movement in the mosquito traps add 2 more attractants.  Finally, the mosquitoes sense the heat and moisture from the CO2 release (if present) and fly into the mosquito machine, where they are blown by a fan into a container from which they cannot escape, which makes these types of traps mosquito killer machines.

Why is one mosquito trap better than the other?  The shape, size, color and height of the mosquito machine can make a huge difference.  So does the amount of CO2, octenol and lactic acid released. Some frequencies of lights work better than others.  For these and many other reasons, it is very hard to make an effective mosquito trap or mosquito killer machine. We only carry mosquito traps that test well.  For the best protection, you need to kill mosquitoes effectively using one or more of the mosquito traps we recommend and use mosquito repellent devices to keep any that remain away from you.