Does adding dry ice to light traps increase catch compared to light alone?

• A. Sometimes
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

Adding dry ice to a light trap increases catch because the CO2 released by the dry ice acts as a powerful host-attractant for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes use CO2 plumes—signals from breath—to locate hosts from a distance, so introducing a CO2 source near the trap enhances its appeal beyond what light alone provides. The combination of a visual lure (the light) and an olfactory cue (CO2) tends to draw in more females seeking blood meals, especially for species that are highly responsive to CO2. The degree of increase can vary with species, wind, and how the CO2 is released, but overall this setup produces more catches than light alone.