A comparative study was conducted in Tamaulipas, Mexico to assess the efficacy of the traditional ovitrap design (CDC ovitrap) versus a novel modified design. The modified ovitrap consisted of a dark blue 300 ml plastic cup lined with a layer of cream-coloured, low tread count cotton fabric, covering from the rim of the cup to about three quarters of the way down and held in place with a paper clip. The same dark blue plastic cups were used to make traditional ovitraps, employing a single, plain wooden tongue depressor paddle instead of fabric as the oviposition substrate. Both types of ovitraps were filled three quarters of the way with water and left in situ in both the interior and exterior of 293 houses. After one week, the ovitraps were collected and analysed for A. aegypti eggs. Results showed that the modified ovitraps detected oviposition in more homes than traditional ovitraps (47 of 293 homes vs. 25 of 293 homes). The modified trap detected more oviposition indoors compared to the traditional trap (35 of 27 traps vs. 12 of 266 traps). The modified ovitraps yielded significantly greater quantities of eggs (P<0.001; 36.3 eggs/trap vs. 7.9 eggs/trap). A. aegypti was the only species detected.