Carbon Dioxide & Mosquito Repellent

Carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes to humans.

Mosquitoes looking for a blood meal find their host by detecting carbon dioxide, body heat and moisture. Their detection of carbon dioxide has prompted mosquito-repellent researchers and manufacturers to create repellents that make use of the behavior.

Candles

Some candles that release certain extracts into the air reduce the likelihood of bites. Some theorize that the extracts have insect-repelling properties, but others believe that the carbon dioxide from the flame diverts the mosquitoes toward the candle and away from people.

Fruit Compounds

Some fruits release odorants that inhibit carbon dioxide detection in insects. No repellent products containing these compounds have entered the market as of 2011. However, entomologists believe these compounds have the potential to repel mosquitoes from humans.

Traps

Traps that release carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes don't work effectively enough to end mosquito problems. Jonathan Day from the University of Florida believes this is because mosquitoes can fly over long distances and their breeding sites can be located far away from where the trap is.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Travel to Developing Countries
• Scientific American: Waiting for Next-Gen Anti-Mosquito Chemicals with Bated Breath
• University of Florida: Carbon Dioxide Mosquito Traps No Magic Bullet