We earlier profiled an innovative product from Bangalore based Mozziquit that kills mosquitoes and there is another innovation in this space from a Bangalore based company – Mosquito Killing System (MKS).
Unlike Mozziquit, MKS relies on mosquito’s natural hunting techniques of heat sensing and carbon dioxide detection. The system creates a source of heat and CO2 in the proportions that the female blood sucking mosquito is genetically programmed to find. It mimics body temperatures and breathing patterns of humans, horses, livestock, poultry, and domesticated pets by the release of carbon dioxide. Through thermal imagery and precisely measured releases of CO2, mosquitoes are attracted to the unit, and captured and eliminated.
Maintenance free Mosquito Killing System acts as a magnet to attract mosquitoes, and then vacuums them into the unit where they are quickly and quietly eliminated. As far as the product efficiency is concerned, it can kill 200 – 15,000 mosquitoes/night (upto an acre area), depending on the density of mosquitoes in that area. The mosquito carcasses fall out of the unit to the ground and are disposed of by nature. (i.e. ground insects, wind or reintroduction back into the soil).
Priced at Rs. 69,000 the product is best suited for office/outdoor usage.
MKS works as follows
- A photo sensor turns the unit on at night and off at daylight. For the unit to come on earlier or stay on later, you simply place the cover on the photocell and plug the Mosquito Killing System™ into a timer for desired settings.
- Body heat signatures are produced with a heat blanket in the heat chamber cycling every few minutes from 85 Degree Fahrenheit to 110 Degree Fahrenheit. This feature is performed continuously when unit is running.
- The CO2 is warmed and released to mimic breathing. When the unit first comes on at night, the CO2 is programmed to release for 5 hours. It cycles on for 2 minutes and off for 1.5 minutes, releasing CO2 equivalent to what a human being or a mammal normally exudes.
- The fan produces different air currents. One air current creates a vacuum to draw mosquitoes into the unit. Other flows away from the unit carrying and disbursing the attractants away from the unit magnifying the attractants. The fan also acts as a killing mechanism throwing mosquitoes against the inner wall. Plus, mosquitoes are killed when they pass through the electrocution grid.
- The interior electrocution grid is spaced to create a kill zone when mosquitoes pass through, with a 99% kill ratio. The remains are then expelled through the bottom of the unit and returned to the environment.
- The capture net is to be used only for selecting the best location for placement of the Mosquito Killing System™ units. Continued use of the capture net decreases the airflow by 1 mph.
The product has been developed with NASA’s assistance and the most interesting part is that the product stores CO2 and releases it back into the atmosphere, i.e. environment friendly.
Unlike products that use propane or chemicals, the Mosquito Killing System is as environmentally friendly as having an additional tree in the yard, since it stores carbon dioxide and releases it back into the atmosphere. The system uses a standard 20-pound carbon dioxide tank—the same tank used throughout the beverage industry. Carbon dioxide provides a safe alternative to chemicals and pesticides found in competing products, because it is nonflammable, nonexplosive, and nontoxic.
The system captures several times as many mosquitoes as any other machine or product, according to the manufacturer. The female mosquito—which feeds on blood from people, animals, and birds, unlike its male counterpart—lays an average of 300 eggs at a time. In essence, for every 1,000 female mosquitoes eliminated, the mosquito population is actually reduced by 300,000. – NASA site
Watch demo video
What’s your take on this? Questions for the team?
PS: The product was invented in US and has gone through multiple testing in different parts of India (for the last one year). Eventually, it will be customized and indigenously developed in India.
