How to keep mosquitoes away with new gadgets

Mosquito calls may soon become less irritating thanks to more and more new devices.

Developed for military use with the help of University of Florida researchers, the device reportedly protects against mosquitoes. plug. The World Health Organization estimates that mosquito-borne diseases kill about 725,000 people annually.

The newly created gadget “can be attached to different clothing at different levels of the body,” says Daniel Kline, a research entomologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and one of the device’s creators, of Lifewire. said in an email interview. “For example, a fisherman, a golfer, or a hiker wearing a hat.”

Are the mosquitoes gone?

The mosquito device uses repellent transfluthrin, effectively preventing multiple species of mosquitoes from entering the test site. Transfluthrin is an organic pesticide considered safe for humans and animals.

The gadget consists of a 2.5 cm long tube of polypropylene plastic containing two small tubes and cotton containing repellent. The team used fishing line to attach his 70 devices to the openings of a large military tent, but none to a similar control tent. The caged mosquitoes were released at various locations along the outer surface of the tent and within 24 hours, nearly all were killed or repelled.

“Our device can be used for topical repellent applications or sprayed throughout open areas, which can contaminate surrounding plants and water bodies and adversely affect beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It eliminates the need for pesticides,” said Nagarajan Rajagopal, the inventor of the device, said in a news release. “It’s versatile, portable, easy to deploy, and requires no electricity or heat to boot the solution.”

Gulshan Hajara Banu, CEO and founder of PestKeen, told Lifewire in an email that potential users of the new gadget will have different outcomes depending on several factors, including levels of mosquito activity in specific areas and individuals. He said we should be aware of the possibility. User exposure level.

“It is important to note that it should be used in combination with other protective measures such as wearing long sleeves and trousers and using mosquito nets to ensure maximum protection,” Banu added. I got

Klein said the effectiveness of conventional chemical repellents depends on the user. He said the device was developed with soldiers in mind.

“Often deployed soldiers don’t like to use the conventional topical skin repellents that are available,” he added. “Many people like the smell and feel of these chemicals. No. They can use it, but compliance is an issue. Spatial repellents hopefully protect one or a group of deployed soldiers with minimal participation and compliance.”

Klein says his team has just started evaluating new devices against ticks. “In this case, they are either attached to the laces of his boots on the hike or to a cuff that is placed at the interface of the pants and boots,” he added.

More help in progress

Scientists at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) recently developed another new type of wearable repellent delivery device. Using a 3D printer, the active ingredient is first “encapsulated” and formed into the desired shape, such as a ring. The ring is then worn to release an agent designed to repel mosquitoes for an extended period of time.

Researchers developed a prototype using IR3535, an insect repellent developed by MERCK. “Mosquito repellent sprays containing IR3535 are very gentle on the skin and have been used around the world for many years. stated in the release. It is usually applied as a spray or lotion and provides several hours of protection. But Androsh and his team are looking for ways to release agents for longer periods of time, such as encapsulating them in wearable rings and bracelets.

Ultimately, the choice of which anti-mosquito device to use comes down to personal preference and needs, Banu said. development and may offer very effective protection against mosquitoes,” she added.