Mosquitoes love CO₂ and we love CO₂ flow measurement

Before Biogents PLC was founded, its founders spent over 12 years researching the host-finding behavior of mosquitoes. Biogents applies this knowledge to develop traps that monitor and regulate mosquito populations. Carbon dioxide plays a key role in this process, as it is especially attractive to mosquitoes. People who emit more CO₂—such as pregnant women or individuals with a higher body weight—are particularly appealing to these insects.

Why CO₂ is such an effective attractant

CO₂ is the primary attractant for most blood-sucking insects, as it is naturally present in the air we breathe. While ambient air contains only 0.04% CO₂, human breath has a much higher concentration of about 4%. CO₂ plays an especially crucial role for nocturnal mosquito species, as visual stimuli are less effective in the dark. In these conditions, the gas acts as a remote attractant. Closer to the trap, artificial skin scents are added, further drawing mosquitoes towards it.

But don’t worry—the CO₂ emissions from these traps are minimal. An adult human exhales around one kilogram of CO₂ per day, while these traps operate efficiently with just 500 grams per day. By using a timer to release CO₂ only during peak mosquito activity, the consumption can be reduced to around 250 grams per day—just a quarter of the CO₂ an adult exhale daily.

The CO₂ for these traps comes from commercially available gas cylinders, like those used in beverage production. The gas is delivered to the trap through a hose, allowing the cylinder to be stored discreetly. Importantly, carbon dioxide is not specifically produced for bottling but is instead a by-product of industrial processes. It is generated during biological fermentation, then purified and bottled.

CO₂ as a Part of a Complex Attraction System

While CO₂ is the main attractant, it is not the only factor that draws mosquitoes. Individual skin odour also plays a significant role. People are attractive to mosquitoes depending on the unique composition of their skin’s odours. For more information on how CO₂ interacts with other stimuli, visit the Biogents website.

Studies have shown CO₂ ’s effectiveness as an attractant: catch rates for house and Asian tiger mosquitoes increase fivefold when CO₂ is used. Detailed results are available in a scientific publication.

The Challenge of Precise CO₂ Measurement in Research

In mosquito research, the exact amount of CO₂ is crucial for comparing the effectiveness of different traps or attractants. To maintain high comparability, researchers frequently move the traps, as mosquito distribution can vary locally. It’s also essential for the traps to have identical CO₂ release rates, unless the effect of CO₂ dosage is being studied.

Pressure reducers allow a rough adjustment of the release rate. When precision is required, we rely on CO₂ flow meters.

The Solution: Precise CO₂ Measurement with the red-y compact Flow Meter

The red-y compact flow meter offers a reliable method for precisely measuring CO₂ flow rates and gas consumption. With the modern MEMS technology of Vögtlin’s mass flow meters, the device ensures quick response times and easy Plug-&-Play operation.

Automatic temperature compensation ensures high repeatability, while long-term stability is maintained with a clean and dry gas supply. Its compact design and AA battery operation make the device highly flexible, perfect for independent research projects.

Advantages of combining Biogents Traps with Vögtlin Technology:

• Versatility: Adaptable to various research conditions.
• High Efficiency and Sensitivity: Delivers precise results, even with small amounts of CO₂.
• Modular Expandability: Perfectly suited for advanced research projects.

Conclusion

Mosquitoes are attracted to CO₂ – and with the right measurement technology, it is possible to optimise its use for both research and practical applications. The combination of Biogents traps and Vögtlin CO₂ flow measurement technology provides an effective solution for mosquito control and valuable support for scientific studies.