Clip-on device repels Zika-transmitting mosquitoes
Mosquito-repellant company OFF produced a clip-on device that repels the Aedes aegypti mosquito — the primary vector of Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever.
The clip-on repels mosquitoes by releasing a vapor form of insecticide through a battery-powered fan, forming an insecticide “cloud” around the wearer of the device.
Christopher Bibbs and Rui-De Xue of the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in Florida studied how the device performed against hungry Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The study was done outdoors in order to replicate real-world conditions.
They found that the OFF! Clip-On caused high mosquito mortality and knockdown rates up to 0.3 meters from the device, enough to protect a single person wearing the device.
“In vector control, we see more often than not that tools available for consumers don’t work for the intended purpose,” said Bibbs. “Just look at all the bug zappers, repellent bracelets, sonic bug repellents, and other zany creations that wax and wane in popularity. Skepticism is inherent to the trade. But it was nice for a change of pace that one of these devices could actually do some good.”
Their findings are published in an article in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
