Description:
Background
Mosquitoes are considered one of the deadliest animals on Earth because of the devastating pathogens they carry. Due to high cost of development, vaccines and drug therapies are not available for the majority of mosquito-borne pathogens. Therefore, efforts to reduce disease transmission have traditionally focused on suppressing the mosquito population. However, increase in insecticide resistance over time and establishment of mosquito populations in new areas due to human commerce and travel, has made it clear that current control methods are insufficient and novel, human safe approaches for mosquito control are needed.
Description
Our researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a new, non-toxic, human-safe compound which can be used to reduce mosquito population and the diseases they carry. The design is based on using existing insect bait stations to lure the mosquitoes to feed on our novel solution. Our technology can be kept around the house or in public places to reduce mosquito bite nuisance.
Advantages
- Our novel solution leads to a decreased longevity and physiology of mosquitos.
- Using a human-safe compound will mitigate the issues with accidental poisoning of kids and pets.
- The cost to produce our attractant is low.
UNR19-014
