Dragonfly II Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the Dragonfly II work?

Placing the Dragonfly II between you and a mosquito habitat gives mosquitoes a lure that smells better to them than people do. The Dragonfly lure's scent (CO₂ and kairomones found on human breath and skin) is carried on the wind and attracts mosquitoes up to 100 feet away. As they draw near, these insects use extremely sensitive thermal sensors on the tips of their antennae. From 10 feet away they can feel the warmth of the Dragonfly II thermal lure. The thermal lure produces the infrared image of their favorite landing spot - blood near the surface of the skin.

No matter what the temperature, the Dragonfly II keeps the CO₂, Octenol and thermal lure at optimum levels. Dragonfly II lures will attract and kill biting insects, but are harmless to non-target insects. Remember that the visual range of mosquitoes is about 30 feet (10 m). It is important to keep the Dragonfly II at least 30 feet away from your deck, pool, porch or patio so that mosquitoes drawn to it cannot see you as you move about.

2. What makes the Dragonfly II unique?

BioSensory entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with the United States Department of Agriculture to develop Dragonfly II technology. BioSensory holds dozens of national and international patents and patent applications on the Dragonfly, with more on the way. BioSensory patents cover every aspect of the Dragonfly II: capture mechanism, control system, communication system, kairomone emission system and lure housing.

3. How do I get the most protection from biting insects?

It is important to position BioSensory products properly. Place the Dragonfly II lure between you and the primary mosquito habitat -- more than 30 feet from the deck, pool, patio or area you want to protect. Keep the Mosquito 'Cognito dispenser in the area near the people you want to protect. Biting insects within 30 feet can see you and are attracted by movement. Once they see you and detect your body heat, the Dragonfly II lure may not draw them away and the Conceal inhibitor may not stop them.

4. Can a line of CO₂ and Octenol traps form a barrier that stops mosquitoes?

Yes. Even when the location is surrounded by a mangrove swamp, mosquito breeding site.

Watch a video aired on the PBS series American Environmental Review about an environmentally safe barrier system used around a condominium complex in Florida surrounded by a swamp.

5. What are the alternatives to traps?

Pesticide Spraying: Using pesticide spraying will give you relief from mosquitoes - but only for two to four hours. But every good insect that comes in contact with the insecticide will die, including butterflies, ladybugs and praying mantises.

Zappers: Contrary to popular belief, the ultraviolet light from a conventional zapper attracts mosquitoes to the general vicinity, but not into the zapper itself. Mosquitoes see better under UV light and use it to locate water where they lay their eggs. Zappers kill thousands of beneficial insects each night but almost no mosquitoes.

6. Should I run the Dragonfly II 24/7?

Yes. The Dragonfly II will automatically activate during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk, and adjust automatically as the sunrise and sunset change throughout the summer. You just program the Dragonfly II for extra protection during your leisure time outdoors: afternoon, evening or night. If you don't keep a regular schedule of outdoor activity, you can just push a button for 4 hours of protection any time of day.

7. Are the attractants in Dragonfly II safe?

Yes, when used as directed. U.S. government regulations define pesticides as "any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, repelling, or mitigating any pest," so Dragonfly II lure attractants are also registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The active ingredient in the Dragonfly lure is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food additive. Octenol, the attractant in the Dragonfly lure, is an alcohol. It is produced in the digestive tract of livestock and by fungi such as edible mushrooms. Small amounts are used as a flavoring in foods and as a fragrance in makeup and colognes. Like all alcohols, it can be toxic if ingested at full strength in very large doses. For this reason, Octenol is dispersed in a gel or wax material, and placed inside a plastic housing.

8. Is CO₂ bad for the environment?

Although CO₂ is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, it is also essential for life on earth. Plants need CO₂ to grow. Plants "breathe in" CO₂ in the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis plants convert CO₂ back into the oxygen we breathe.

The Dragonfly II is carbon neutral. The CO₂ used in the Dragonfly was recovered from atmospheric CO₂, so it does not increase the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

9. Do I need to worry about which way the wind blows?

No. Every mosquito that has ever bitten you tracked your scent by flying upwind — no matter which way the wind is blowing. The Dragonfly II will lure mosquitoes to it and the Mosquito 'Cognito with Conceal inhibitor will hide you from them...no matter which way the wind is blowing.