A product developed in a University of Florida lab, designed to protect American
soldiers from insect-borne diseases, is helping wage war against the surge of
mosquitoes in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian.
The INZECTO Mosquito Trap, co-created by Dr. Phil Koehler, a UF distinguished professor in
the department of entomology and nematology, is an easy-to-use, environmentally
friendly, and effective mosquito-killing device. The Gainesville-based company
donated 100,000 traps this week to communities struggling with large populations of
mosquitoes due to the floodwaters left behind by the hurricane’s rain and storm
surges.
“The INZECTO trap is designed to provide
protection and relief from mosquitoes
after major weather events like Ian
where there is limited or no power,” said
Koehler. “The trap does not need
electricity to work – it only needs to be
filled with water, placed in shade and left
undisturbed. There is no spraying or
zapping. Beneficial insects like bees and
The INZECTO Mosquito Trap (black, red top) sits in a UF lab other pollinators are not attracted to the
where it was invented alongside a container of live mosquitos. trap.”
Photo by TylerJones UF/IFAS Photography
The traps have been deployed in four Florida counties, including Orange, Lee,
Charlotte and Collier. The $2.3-million donation supplements the counties’ efforts
with air and ground assaults through their mosquito control divisions. INZECTO has
joined forces with partners, including the UF/IFAS Extension offices, Florida Master
Gardner Volunteer programs, mosquito control districts and county parks and
recreation centers to distribute the devices.
Koehler, who invented the trap in UF’s urban entomology laboratory with involvement
from UF entomology professor Roberto Pereira and Chris Batich, a professor in the
department of material science and engineering, said the commercialization and
deployment of INZECTO Mosquito Traps are a culmination of about 10 years of
research.
Initial R&D funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Deployed
Warfighter Protection program. The Pentagon needed mosquito traps that would be
easy to use by American troops overseas.
“We took what we know about mosquitoes and what attracts them to create the
perfect trap for pests,” he said.
The INZECTO Mosquito Trap is made of partially recycled and fully recyclable plastic
with ribbed sides. Its red and black colors are highly preferred by resting and egglaying
female mosquitoes that bite. The trap requires minimal maintenances and is
simply activated by adding water. The females enter the trap to lay their eggs and
100% of the mosquito larvae are killed by the micro-dose coating of insecticides
imbedded into the plastic. The insecticides are on the inside of the trap for no
contact.
Orange County Extension Director Kevin
Camm said several areas in Orlando
received an influx of water from the
hurricane, and nearly a month later, they
still contend with floodwaters and
continued rainfall.
“When you have this much standing
water, you are going to get large
populations of mosquitoes,” he said. “We
need to get rid of them as quickly as
possible because not only are they a
nuisance, but they also carry disease.”
Camm said the county is grateful for the
“friendly” donation of INZECTO’s mosquito Jamie Fowler, (with clipboard) with the Lee County traps, which are being distributed in the Mosquito Control District, helped distribute the INZECTO
east and west side of Orange County to Mosquito Trap in Fort Myers on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
homeowners at no cost. Each mosquito
trap covers 1,500 square feet, and they are
offering two traps per household.
“We are very happy to have UF-patented technology help our community,” Camm
said. “They will last for months and right into the dry season.”
Originally Published by Karen Dooley October 28, 2022
© University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
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