High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! 1-Octen-3-ol, octenol for short (also known as mushroom alcohol), is a chemical that attracts biting insects such as mosquitos. It is contained in human breath and sweat, and it was once believed that insect repellent DEET works by blocking the insects` octenol odorant receptors. Octenol is used in combination with carbon dioxide to attract insects in order to kill them with certain electronic devices.