Dengue fever remains one of the most significant public health issues in many areas of the world, especially tropical countries in Asia and Africa, including Thailand with an average of 100,000 patients and over 100 deaths per year. This is due to the prevalence of tiger mosquitoes, which are fast-propagating carriers responsible for widespread transmission of the disease.
 

   Therefore, the key to solving the problem of dengue fever lies in prevention by reducing the propagation of disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes. The Institut Pasteur, a world-class research institute in France that has devoted over 20 years to the study and innovation of measures to reduce the spread of dengue and the founder of the Defeat Dengue Program, is collaborating with Chemicals Business, SCG, to share knowledge and expertise on functional materials, materials science and design, an endeavor which has yielded the innovative mosquito trap.
 

The Innovative Mosquito Trap
 

   This innovative mosquito trap consists of two major mechanisms: the trap which draws mosquitoes in to lay their eggs, and a special compound that inhibits the growth of tiger mosquito larvae within the trap.
 

   The primary principle in designing the trap is the understanding of the natural behavior of the tiger mosquito and environments conducive to their breeding in order to create a suitable trap. The design is well combined of different state of arts including the color selection of the plastic material used; the size and the shape of the opening; the water level; the space for mosquitoes to fly, perch, and lay eggs within the trap; and an interior coating of a tiger mosquito attractant (developed by the Department of Medical Sciences under the Ministry of Public Health, and Ikari Trading (Thailand)). Additionally the design also well addresses the user friendly aspect with optimal product sizing and suitability for outdoor use.
 

   In addition to attracting egg-laying mosquitoes and utilizing a well-known larvicide of BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), the trap features a functional material that SCG has innovatively applied to enhance the effectiveness of BTI by promoting its adherence to the appendages of mosquitoes. The interior of the trap contains a sponge coated with this special compound. When a mosquito lands on the sponge while laying eggs, the substance adheres to its legs and is then transferred to the next body of water that the mosquito comes into contact with, wherein it dissolves and inhibits the growth of larvae without adverse effects on the environment and other living organisms within the ecosystem. This increases the efficiency of controlling mosquito larvae in a more widespread area, thus reducing the propagation of tiger mosquitoes and the spread of dengue fever.
 

   Most recently, SCG has coordinated with Map Ta Phut Municipality of Rayong Province to pilot-test the mosquito trap in 50 households within the community not only to reduce the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes during the rainy season but also to collect data for further research and development of the mosquito trap in order to improve functionality for future application in other areas. Prior tests were conducted in labs, and also field test in Chantaburi province to target Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which have satisfying results.จ
 

   Chemicals Business, SCG, is equipped with a team of experts ready to present complete service solutions that meet all client needs, from material selection and design to application-specific design and molding, for the sustainable growth of businesses and the environment.
 

สอบถามรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ medandwellness@scg.com