Raleigh Soccer Park Tested Pesticide-Free Mosquito Traps

The pilot program at WRAL Soccer Park successfully captured over 9,000 mosquitoes since mid-July 2026.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Asthma

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a simple conical insect trap standing in a grassy field, representing pesticide-free mosquito management. — NCFC Youth and Biogents reported that their pesticide-free trap pilot at WRAL Soccer Park successfully captured over 9,000 mosquitoes since mid-July. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local parks prioritize non-chemical mosquito control methods over traditional pesticide spraying?

NCFC Youth partnered with Biogents to trial pesticide-free mosquito traps at WRAL Soccer Park in Raleigh starting in mid-July 2026. The system uses carbon dioxide, airflow, and artificial scents to attract and capture insects without the use of light or chemical sprays.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to improve comfort for local athletes while addressing the rising challenge of pyrethroid insecticide resistance in Wake County mosquito populations. These efforts reflect a broader shift toward non-chemical pest management as environmental conditions increasingly favor insect activity.

NC State University researchers found resistance-associated mutations in 39% of sampled mosquitoes in 2023, while 84% of surveyed residential blocks in Wake County showed similar markers. The pilot traps have captured more than 9,000 female mosquitoes since mid-July.

The players

NCFC Youth

This is a youth soccer organization based in Raleigh that oversees various local leagues and tournaments.

Biogents

This company specializes in the development and manufacturing of sustainable, science-based mosquito control products.

NC State University

This is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh known for its extensive programs in agricultural and life sciences.

The details

The traps function by utilizing a fan to draw insects into a collection net, with an automated counter recording activity in 15-minute intervals. NCFC Youth may expand the system, which Biogents estimates would require 10 traps to secure a perimeter around a larger section of the soccer park.

Raleigh gained 27 additional days of conditions favorable for mosquito activity between 1979 and 2022.
NC State researchers sampled mosquitoes for resistance mutations throughout 2023.
The pilot program began at WRAL Soccer Park in mid-July 2026.
This report was published in September 2026.

The Big Picture

This program reflects a response to the increase in favorable mosquito activity days in Raleigh from 1979 to 2022, which has extended the duration of insect pressure on the region. This pilot follows a pattern set by that multi-decade climatic shift in mosquito-prone areas.

The pilot highlights a potential non-chemical option for those managing insect-related health concerns, with home systems starting at approximately $200 per unit. Residents can consider these devices as a supplement to traditional pest management, especially as resistance to chemical treatments grows locally.

The takeaway

As mosquito resistance to standard insecticides continues to rise, local communities are increasingly exploring integrated, non-chemical traps. Residents looking to reduce local insect populations should consider non-light-based options that rely on carbon dioxide or specialized scents.