What is 1-octen-3-ol?
1‑Octen‑3‑ol is an eight-carbon volatile alcohol also known as octenol or mushroom alcohol. Many fungi produce it from linoleic acid, and it contributes to the characteristic odor of fresh mushrooms.
THE REAL MOLECULE BEHIND BAIT!
1-OCTEN-
3-OL
A SCENT CUE SOME INSECTS USE
TO FIND A HOST.
1‑Octen‑3‑ol, usually called octenol, is a volatile molecule found in mushrooms and in human and animal breath. BAIT! uses it as its active ingredient.
MOLECULAR IDENTITY
CH₂=CH–CH(OH)–(CH₂)₄–CH₃
FORMULAC₈H₁₆OMOLAR MASS128.22 g/molCOMMON NAMEOCTENOL
01 / WHAT IT IS
A REAL MOLECULE
WITH A FAMILIAR SMELL.
1‑Octen‑3‑ol is an eight-carbon volatile alcohol made by many fungi from linoleic acid. It is one of the molecules responsible for the characteristic smell of fresh mushrooms.
The molecule is also found in human and animal breath and other body odors. Its earthy, mushroom-like scent can be familiar even when its chemical name is not.
02 / WHAT IT DOES
HELPS SOME INSECTS
FIND A HOST.
Some mosquitoes and biting flies have odor receptors that respond to octenol as part of a larger host-odor field. It is not a universal signal: responses vary by species, concentration, carbon dioxide, and other environmental cues.
HOST-SEEKING SIGNAL
RECEPTIVERESPONSE DEPENDENT ON SPECIES AND CONTEXT
03 / WHY BAIT! USES IT
A HOST CUE,
IN A CAN.
Octenol is already used in some insect-trap lures. BAIT! takes the cue out of the trap and puts it in a personal aerosol.
- 01RELEASE THE CUEAs octenol evaporates, it joins the surrounding odor field.
- 02ENTER THE SIGNALSome insect receptors detect it alongside carbon dioxide and other host odors.
- 03BECOME THE DESTINATIONBAIT! puts the lure on the person instead of inside the trap.
ORIGINAL FORMULA · GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
20%
OCTENOL.
80% carrier system and other ingredients standing between one molecule and modern personal attraction.ACTIVE INGREDIENT:1-OCTEN-3-OL20.0%
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:80.0%
TOTAL:100.0%
04 / QUICK ANSWERS
THE SHORT
ANSWER.
Direct answers about 1-octen-3-ol, the active ingredient behind BAIT!
Does octenol attract mosquitoes?
Octenol can act as an olfactory cue for some mosquito and biting-fly species. The response is not universal: it varies by species, dose, location, and the presence of other host cues.
Does octenol work with carbon dioxide?
Researchers often study octenol alongside carbon dioxide. Some mosquito taxa respond more strongly to the combination, while others show little added response, so the interaction is species- and context-dependent.
Why is octenol used in mosquito traps?
Some trap lures use octenol because some mosquitoes and biting flies detect it as a host-associated odor cue. Results depend on species, location, dose, and accompanying cues such as carbon dioxide.
THE ACTUAL SCIENCE
THE MOLECULE.
THE PAPERS.
CLAIMS IN CONTEXT.
01EPA summary of R-octenol as an insect-trap attractant ↗02Fungal biosynthesis of 1‑octen‑3‑ol ↗03Carbon dioxide and 1‑octen‑3‑ol as mosquito attractants ↗041‑Octen‑3‑ol, insect receptors, and species differences ↗
SOURCE REVIEW UPDATED AUGUST 30, 2026 · CLAIMS REFER TO THE CITED RESEARCH AND REMAIN SPECIES- AND CONTEXT-DEPENDENT.
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