Adult Mosquito Surveillance

The City of Kelowna monitors seven adult mosquito light traps within municipal boundaries. These light traps are not intended to eliminate large mosquito populations, but do help determine the species of mosquitoes active in an area and whether potential West Nile virus vector species are present.

One of the ways that a mosquito finds us is by sensing the carbon dioxide that we exhale. There is dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) in a small cooler attached to each trap. After the coolers are filled with dry ice pellets, they will emit carbon dioxide gas throughout the day and evening to attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are also attracted to the dull glow of the trap’s black light.

A fan sucks them in and once inside the collection canister with the fan running, the mosquitoes cannot escape.

Mosquitoes are collected once a week and sent away for counting and identification. This data will be used to help “Fight the Bite!” and monitor West Nile virus risk reduction efforts in the area.