Inside the US: 1.800.498.5923
Outside the US: +1.651.632.6784
| Product | U.S.A. | European Union |
| Dragon Fly II | Octenol Lure (PDF) | |
| Dragon Fly | Octenol Lure (PDF) | Octenol Lure (PDF) |
| Mosquito ‘Cognito | Mosquito Cognito (PDF) | Conceal Cartridge (PDF) |
| Conceal Candle | Conceal Candle (PDF) | Conceal Candle (PDF) French language version Italian language version |
| Mosquito L (bulk) | Mosquito L (PDF) | |
| Linalool (bulk) | Linalool SDS (PDF) | Linalool (PDF) |
Dr. Jeffrey Stivers, head of Research for the Collier Mosquito Control District in Florida, built an experimental 2,400-foot (730 m) mosquito barrier to protect the Stevens’ Landing Condominium Association. Then, for several months, he empirically measured the number of mosquitoes inside and outside the barrier, and he systematically recorded the level of satisfaction expressed by the residents of Stevens’ Landing. The research report concludes, “The system worked so well that the community at Stevens’ Landing voted to have it installed permanently.” The report goes on to say, “Once the system is installed and operational, the District will no longer need to aerially apply insecticide to the area, reducing the potential impact of such an application to the surrounding mangrove marsh environment.”
BioSensory believes this is breakthrough research on several counts:
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Linalool Candles as Spatial Repellents against Natural Populations of Mosquitoes
Susan McKnight
Abstract:
In this field study to characterize the action of linalool candles as spatial repellents against natural populations of mosquitoes, subjects received 25.8% fewer mosquito landings at positions with candles containing 65% +enantiomer of linalool with 35% enantiomer of linalool compared with the unscented tea candle.
Introduction
Spatial repellents can provide new technology for protection of humans from mosquito transmitted disease. Glouck et al. (1967) defined spatial repellent as a repellent that is effective at a distance from the point of application. Nolen et al. (2002) further defined a spatial repellent as an inhibiting compound, dispensed into the atmosphere of a three dimensional space, which inhibits the ability of mosquitoes to locate and track a target, such as humans or livestock. D.L. Kline (personal communication) observed that linalool, when used alone, attracts mosquitoes to a trap; however, when used with CO2 or with CO2 + octenol, linalool reduces mosquito collection sizes by as much as 50%. Kline et al. (2003) found that linalool manifests spatial repellency against Aedes aegypti in a dual port olfactometer study.
As early as 1911, linalool, C10H18O, was described in the British Pharmaceutical Codex as an unsaturated alcohol, isomeric with geraniol, that occurs in a large number of essential oils, such as oils of coriander, lignaloe, bergamot, spike lavender, and thyme. Linalool was initially registered as a pesticide with the U.S. E.P.A. in 1985 for the control of fleas on pets and pet bedding (Cornell Fact Sheet 77, 1985). However, despite the long and common use of linalool, research into biological activity of linalool has recently revealed such divergent activities as being a mate attractant pheromone component in the bee Colletes cunicularius (Borg-Karlson et al., 2003), producing antinociception in two experimental models of pain in mice (Peana et al., 2003), and exhibiting antileishmanial activity in an in vitro study of Leishmania amazonensis in mouse peritoneal macrophages (Rosa et al., 2003).
Candles are commonly used to dispense odors into the atmosphere. Candles containing oil of citronella are sold commercially in the United States and Canada, with some manufacturers claiming that these products “reduce the annoyance of biting insects,” specifically mosquitoes. In a study of citronella candles using human test subjects, Lindsay et al. (1996) reported that the overall percent reduction in mosquito bites provided by the citronella candles was 42.3% and by plain candles was 23.1%. Considering the reduction in mosquito biting activity produced by the act of burning candles, the addition of 3% citronella to candles further decreased biting activity by only 19.2%.
The purpose of this field study was to characterize the action of linalool candles as spatial repellents against natural populations of mosquitoes.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted on a trail through a deciduous woodlot in Northwest
Park, Windsor, Connecticut USA (41.88° N, 72.67° W). This park is located in the Connecticut River valley. Four subjects (2 female, 2 male) were used in this study, which was conducted on 4 nights (August 12, 13, 14 & 15, 2003). An additional person timed landing rate counts. Subjects wore clothing that permitted exposure of legs from knee to ankle. Subjects had clean bare legs free of insect repellant, lotion, or other scent sources.
Four test stations were set up on folding metal chairs at 30 m. intervals on a 3 m. wide park trail adjacent to a swamp. Four wooden stakes driven to the height of 1 meter created a 2.5 m. square around each folding metal chair. Candles were placed on the top of the stakes so that each test station was surrounded by 4 candles of the treatment. The treatments were Fragrance A (65% +enantiomer of linalool with 35% -enantiomer of linalool), Fragrance B (linalool=35% -enantiomer of linalool with 65% +enantiomer of linalool), OFF Citronella candle, and plain unscented tea candle. On the first night, four candles of OFF® Citronella candle were placed at “1” station, four candles of Fragrance
A were placed at “2” station, four candles of plain unscented tea candle were placed at “3” station, and four candles of Fragrance B were placed at “4” station. On three subsequent nights, the candles were placed at different stations so that each type of candle was tested at each station. Candles were lit thirty minutes before beginning experiment to insure the presence of a molten pool of wax in each candle.
Landing rate counts were initiated by 1900 h each night. Subjects were assigned to one of the 4 test stations at the beginning of the evening and rotated through all 4 stations each night. Subjects sat on the back of the test station chair with feet on the seat of the chair. Subjects collected mosquitoes landing on their legs with a battery-operated hand aspirator for 10 minutes. The collection vials were removed and sealed for mosquito identification. For the three subsequent trials each night, human test subjects moved to another test station. After taking position at the new test station and inserting new collection vials in the aspirator, test subjects repeated the mosquito collections for 10 minutes. Each test subject tested at each station each night.
All mosquitoes collected were identified to species using the keys of Darsie and Ward (1981) and Darsie (2002). Weather information was obtained from the Bradley International Airport weather station located 1 km north of the study area (NOAA, 2003).
.Results
Each night 141-187 mosquitoes were collected (Table 1). The mosquito species collected and percent composition were: Aedes cinereus Meigen 1.2%, Aedes vexans (Meigen) 25.3%, Anopheles punctipennis (Say) 16.2%, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say
3.3%, Coquilletidia perturbans (Walker) 24.7%, Culex pipiens Linnaeus 0.2%,
Ochlerotatus canadensis (Theobald) 0.5%, Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald) 9.9%, Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Say) 0.5%, Ochlerotatus trivittatus (Coquillett) 18.2%, and Ochlerotatus excrucians (Walker) 0.5%. Daily high temperatures were 32.2° to 30.5° C. and daily low temperatures were 18.3° to 22.2° C. during the landing count evaluations. Wind speed was less than 5 km/h during all nights. No rain fell during the evaluations.
The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) (Freund, 1984). The treatments were significantly different at a 90% confidence level (Table 2). Subjects received the fewest mosquito landings with Fragrance A candles and the greatest number of mosquito landings with OFF® Citronella candles (Table 3).
Subjects received 25.8% fewer mosquito landings at positions with Fragrance A (65% +enantiomer of linalool with 35% -enantiomer of linalool) compared with the unscented tea candle (Table 4). Mosquito landings on subjects surrounded by Fragrance A candles was less variable over the four nights than in the other 3 treatments (Graph 1).
Table 1. Total mosquitoes collected by treatment, day, and location.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | |
| Location 1 | Citronella =71 | FragranceA=29 | Tea Candle=45 | FragranceB=35 |
| Location 2 | FragranceA=23 | Tea Candle=46 | FragranceB=53 | Citronella=50 |
| Location 3 | Tea Candle=41 | FragranceB=37 | Citronella=43 | FragranceA=33 |
| Location 4 | FragranceB=52 | Citronella=48 | FragranceA=30 | Tea Candle=23 |
| Total | 187 | 160 | 171 | 141 |
Table 2. ANOVA totals for location, day, and treatments.
| Source of Variation | Degrees of Freedom | Sum of Squares | Mean Square | F |
| Location | 3 | 134.68 | 44.90 | 0.377 |
| Day | 3 | 280.18 | 93.40 | 0.783 |
| Treatment | 3 | 1238.18 | 412.73 | 3.462 |
| Error | 6 | 715.37 | 119.23 | |
| Total | 15 | 2368.44 |
Table 3. Mean number of mosquitoes collected per 10-min landing rate count at positions with Fragrance A (65% +enantiomer of linalool with 35% -enantiomer of linalool) candles, unscented tea candles, Fragrance B ((racemic linalool=35% -enantiomer of linalool with 65% +enantiomer of linalool) candles, and Off® Citronella candles.
| Rank | Treatment | Total Collection | Mean Day Collection | Mean Subject Collection |
| 1 | Fragrance A | 115 | 28.75 | 7.19 |
| 2 | Tea Candle | 155 | 38.75 | 9.69 |
| 3 | Fragrance B | 177 | 44.25 | 11.06 |
| 4 | Citronella | 212 | 53 | 13.25 |
Table 4. T-test comparison of mean number of mosquitoes collected per 10-min landing rate count at positions with Fragrance A (65% +enantiomer of linalool with 35% enantiomer of linalool) candles, unscented tea candles, Fragrance B ((racemic linalool=35% -enantiomer of linalool with 65% +enantiomer of linalool) candles, and Off® Citronella candles.
| Comparison | Difference | 90%
Confidence Interval |
Lower Limit % | Upper Limit % |
| Tea Candle – Fragrance A | -40 | 7.50 | -30.64625586 | -20.97 |
| Tea Candle – Fragrance B | 22 | 7.50 | 9.353744135 | 19.03 |
| Tea Candle – Citronella | 57 | 7.50 | 31.9343893 | 41.61 |
References Cited
British Pharmaceutical Codex. 1911. Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/bpc1911/linalool.html.
Borg-Karlson, A.K., J. Tengo, I.Valterova, C. R. Unelius, T. Taghizadeh, T. Tolasch, and W. Francke. 2003. (S)-(+)-Linalool, a Mate Attractant Pheromone Component in the Bee Colletes cunicularius. J of Chem Ecolog 29 (1): 1-14, January 2003.
Darsie, R. F., 2002. Revision of Darsie and Ward (1981) to include Ochlerotatus japonicus Theobald and a checklist of species referred to the genus Ochlerotatus in the Neartic region. J. Am. Mosq. Control Asso. 18(4):237-240.
Darsie, R. F. Jr., and R. A. Ward. 1981. Identification and geographical distribution of the mosquitoes of North America, north of Mexico. Mosq Sys. 1(Suppl): 1-313.
Freund, J. E. 1984. Modern Elementary Statistics, 6th ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc. New Jersey. 561 p.
Glouck, H. K., T. P. McGovern, and M. Beroza. 1967. Chemicals tested as space repellents against yellow-fever mosquitoes. I Esters J Econ Entomol 60:1587-1590.
Kline, D. L., U. R. Bernier, K. H. Posey, and D. R. Barnard. 2003. Olfactometric evaluation of spatial repellents for Aedes aegypti. J Med Entomol 40(4):463-467.
Lindsay, L.R., G. A. Surgeoner, J.D. Heal and G. J. Gallivan. 1996. Evaluation of the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense for protection against field populations of Aedes mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Asso 12(2): 293-294.
NOAA-Bradley International Airport. 2003. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/dailystns.shtml
Nolen, J. A., R. H. Bedoukian, R. E. Maloney, and D. L. Kline. 2002. Method, apparatus and compositions for inhibiting the human scent tracking ability of mosquitoes in environmentally defined three dimensional spaces. U. S. Patent No. 6,362,235.
Peana A.T., P.S. D’Aquila, M.L. Chessa, M.D. Moretti , G. Serra, and P. Pippia. 2003. ()-Linalool produces antinociception in two experimental models of pain. Euro J Pharmacol. 460(1) Jan: 37-41.
Rosa, M. S. S., R. R. Mendonça-Filho, H. R. Bizzo, I.A. Rodrigues, R .M. A. Soares, T.Souto-Padrón, C. S. Alviano and A. H. C. S. Lopes. 2003. Antileishmanial Activity of a Linalool-Rich Essential Oil from Croton cajucara. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 47 (6): 1895–1901.
Put Away That Malathion Mayor Giuliani!!!!
Mosquitoes made headlines in New York City last summer when they caused an outbreak of a rare form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), prompting controversial aerial sprayings of malathion and other toxic Even when they’re not transmitting life-threatening diseases, mosquitoes can certainly make life outdoors unpleasant. Now the patented Dragonfly Mosquito-Eater gives homeowners a new nontoxic alternative to chemical spraying.
The design of the Dragonfly (aptly named after Mother Nature’s best mosquito eater) is based on USDA research showing that mosquitoes and other biting insects are attracted to body heat, as well as to the carbon dioxide and octenol (a form of alcohol) that warm-blooded animals release when they exhale. Mosquitoes have ultrasensitive receptors that can detect these compounds from up to 100 feet away. The Dragonfly unit uses three attractants: A heat source is combined with a lure that releases both carbon dioxide and octenol. A specially designed grid surrounding the unit uses a low pulse of electricity to kill insects that come near it, without any annoying zapping noise or unsanitary spraying of insect parts and germs into the air.
The Dragonfly is made by BioSensory of Willimantic, Connecticut (860-928-1113; www.biosensory.com). The residential model sells for $280, plus shipping. (There is a professional model available for larger areas.) The unit should be at least 30 feet away from your home, positioned to intercept mosquitoes flying in from the most likely nearby habitat -swampy areas or shrubby woods.
The company also markets the Mosquito ‘Cognito, a $30 unit that can be used near outdoor living spaces to repel any mosquitoes that get past the Dragonfly. The ‘Cognito releases either a Citronella repellent or a new, more effective inhibitor called Conceal, a synthetic form of linalool, a nontoxic, naturally occurring compound used for food flavoring and perfumes.
We have reviewed the USDA research and the company’s literature, and we are impressed. Unlike so many products being sold these days, the Dragonfly and the Mosquito ‘Cognito appear to be solidly based on legitimate research. The explanatory information provided by BioSensory is some of the most complete, honest product literature we’ve ever seen. The Dragonfly is, admittedly, on the pricey side, but at least it promises to be effective, which is more than can be said for the millions of bug zappers that have already been sold. As we reported on page 65 of the September/October 1999 issue, numerous studies have shown that electronic bug zappers that use light to attract bugs are not effective against most mosquitoes, which are not attracted to the light.
Our message to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani: When the skeeters start biting again next spring think twice before ordering aerial assaults with toxic pesticides. We are concerned about keeping people safe from disease, too. But safer alternatives do exist.
The Center is situated on 20 acres of picturesque garden landscaping, including ponds, meandering pathways and patio areas. In 2002, the hospital experienced several incidences of West Nile Virus, and needed to keep its population well protected. As a start, the grounds department purchased two Dragonfly units.
Hospital patients and staff enjoy the outdoors to get recreation or simply relax. Groundskeepers use CDC trap monitors in various places around the property to determine where to place the Dragonflys. Since they’ve been in use, mosquito counts have decreased approximately 40%.
Soon, the hospital bought more Dragonfly units and also purchased ‘Cognito units to keep mosquitoes off the patients. “When you talk about the cost effectiveness of BioSensory’s products at our hospital, you have to evaluate cost differently,” explains the head of the grounds department. “How would you equate patient safety from West Nile Virus against the cost of these units?”
BioSensory’s Mosquito ‘Cognito dispensers are placed in smoking areas, outside doorway entrances, patio and courtyard areas, recreation areas, and the front lobby. Cognitos are placed near every entrance.
West of the hospital, there are inactive well sites and swamp areas that are notorious breeding grounds for mosquitoes. In the afternoon, mosquitoes can hop on a tail wind which carries them right to the hospital. The grounds crew likes the photocell timers on the Dragonflys that turn on automatically at sundown.
“I’m at ease with the Dragonflys, as they allow me to breathe easier knowing that our patients are protected without having to use insecticides,” states the pest control manager. “For peace of mind’s sake, I recommend Dragonflys and Cognitos because when you put them to use, mosquito traffic drops. It’s a low-profile device with a Las Vegas-style attractant for mosquitoes – that’s the Dragonfly!”
Brian Mozzer, owner of Jonathan Pasco’s Restaurant, had a recurring problem. Once the warmer weather hit, his restaurant’s outdoor patio deck would be plagued with mosquitoes. The patio area is located on the second level and sits on the flat roof of the newer portion of the building. When rainwater would accumulate between the decking slats, it would create an ideal breeding ground for mosquito larvae. After the mosquitoes hatched, they’d nest in nearby trees and “go to dinner” on restaurant patrons! The solution: create an effective mosquito barrier by placing BioSensory’s Conceal® Candles as part of the tabletop package. “Not only did the candles provide a nice ambiance, they worked excellent in terms of keeping the mosquitoes away from my customers,” states Brian. “There’s nothing better for a dining experience than being able to sit outside and not have to worry about getting bitten.”
The candles are uniquely suited for dining use because – unlike Citronella – they work and have a pleasant fragrance. Unlike pyrethrum or permethrin products, the Conceal® inhibitor molecule is found in food additives and is uniquely suited to the dining environment. “I’ve had a mosquito problem for the past 16 years, and for the first time we’ve been able to advertise a ‘bug-free deck’ here. It’s all thanks to Conceal® Candles,” Brian notes. “They seem to last forever and I was shocked at the longevity. I use them every night for five hours, or 35 hours each week. If the summer lasts 10 weeks, that’s 350 candle burn hours per table. I used three 3” x 6” candles per table for the season. In comparison, regular votives only last 7 hours. The convenience and cost-savings of not having to keep ttttt buying these candles is great, and they have a pleasing smell – not like Citronella.” Brian developed his own unique tabletop display using the candles, by putting them in a hurricane globe with marbles and water which reflects and displaces the candlelight nicely.
“Bottom line is, my revenue has been enhanced from the use of the Conceal® Candles. I can seat patrons outside longer, and they order more drinks and food,” he explains. “Prior to using the candles, customers would sit for maybe ten minutes, tops. Now they stay for a 1.5- hour dining period and I can re-seat it. In the evening, I can seat between the hours of 8:30 pm and 1:00 am, so it’s approximately 4 hours of revenueproducing time. The candles have certainly increased my revenue and ROI because the deck’s usability is 100%.”
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Betty Galligan, APR
Newberry Public Relations
(401) 433-5965 betty@newberrypr.com
NEW PRODUCT DETECTS EARLY
BEDBUG INFESTATIONS
NightWatch Bedbug Monitor for pest control operators helps control bedbug outbreak worldwide
PUTNAM, Connecticut USA (June 1, 2009): BioSensory, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of environmentally-sensitive pest management products to monitor and control bedbugs, mosquitoes and biting insects, announces the development of its NightWatch ™ Bedbug Monitor – an innovative new product for pest control operators to use to detect bedbug infestations at the earliest stages.
Once eradicated in the United States in the 1950s by the use of DDT, bedbugs are back with a vengeance infesting clean and tidy homes, five-star hotels, college dorms, and living spaces across the country and beyond. Bedbugs have been identified as a rapidly emerging public health pest by the Environmental Protection Agency, which recently held a national summit in Washington, DC to assemble experts and gather ideas about how to address the problem.
“The bedbug problem is so severe the EPA Summit was convened over two days. Over 400 experts at the EPA Summit identified the need for early detection by persons with minimal training such as hotel housekeeping staff or facilities managers for university housing,” states Jim Nolen, president of BioSensory Inc. who attended the Summit. “NightWatch Bedbug Monitor is the only available technology that can meet this need. Anyone can learn to use NightWatch in 5 minutes. Experts, dogs, glue traps, and one-night monitors cannot detect a new infestation of a few bedbugs, but NightWatch can.”
BioSensory developed the NightWatch Bedbug Monitor based on knowledge of a bedbug’s physiology and an understanding of how the pest seeks a blood meal, combined with extensive field and laboratory testing. Because bedbugs bite once every 7 to 10 days, a new infestation of a few bedbugs often goes unnoticed. It is undetectable by the person being bitten and by the most expert professionals in the field. At first, the person thinks the bite is a pimple, then a rash. By the time a skin reaction is recognized as insect bites, the infestation has grown to hundreds of bedbugs and eggs and is expensive to eliminate.
“Early detection is among the most important factors when it comes to eliminating bed bug infestations in an efficient and cost effective fashion,” notes Richard Cooper, entomologist/technical director of Bed Bug Central
(Lawrenceville, NJ) and co-author of official Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs and Their Control. “Unfortunately, due to the cryptic and secretive behaviors of bed bugs, infestations are often not detected for several months or more, allowing the population to become well established. The population distribution of and infestation that is detected early on tends to be rather isolated and can typically be eliminated with relative ease. However, over time, the bugs will disperse and become widely distributed and are much more difficult and expensive to eliminate. For these reasons early detection is absolutely critical in the control of bed bugs and can equate to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in savings during the elimination process.”
NightWatch is designed to function as a monitor, as it mimics a living, breathing human body — combining CO2* and a patented thermal heat source for a powerful two-pronged attractant and trapping system. When bedbugs approach to feed on what they think is a human, they fall into the pitfall traps made of highly polished material and cannot escape. NightWatch can catch both mature and immature bedbugs, since the monitor’s detection period spans the 7-10 days bedbugs take between meals.
BioSensory recommends NightWatch Bedbug Monitor as one part of an Integrated Pest Management program (inspection, treatment and monitoring, reinspection). NightWatch is available for commercial use through distributors of professional pest management products in the U.S., Canada and around the world. Distributors include companies such as Forshaw Distribution (Charlotte, NC), Residex, LLC (Cranford, NJ), Rhodes Chemical (Kansas City, KS), Steve’s
Pest Management (Chatham, Ontario CANADA), Target Specialty Products (Santa Fe Springs, CA), and Univar USA (Austin, TX). Consumers may request NightWatch through their local pest control operator.
“We are pleased NightWatch solves two key pieces of the bedbug problem: a monitor that anyone can use, and one that can detect bedbugs the very first time they look for a meal.” concludes Mr. Nolen. “NightWatch could become the universal ‘smoke detector’ that can save millions in cleanup costs and provide peace of mind so people can sleep at night.”
For more information, visit www.biosensory.com.
* BioSensory does not sell or provide the CO2. Consumers must purchase the CO2 from a separate source.
# # #
Established in 1996, BioSensory, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of environmentally sensitive, advanced technology monitors and traps as well as kairomone inhibitors and dispensers to keep biting insects away from people, pets and livestock. Patented and trademarked products include The Dragonfly® II, Mosquito ‘Cognito®, Conceal® Candles and NightWatch™ Bedbug Monitor. Based on extensive laboratory and field studies of each pests’ natural biting instincts and physiology, the company has developed a line of products to meet the needs of pest management professionals and consumers alike. When used as part of an Integrated Pest Management system, BioSensory products minimize damage to the environment by reducing the need for insecticides, and denying insects the opportunity to become resistant to pesticides through overuse. Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the company has developed, tested and distributed environmentally safe products throughout the world. BioSensory is located in the Belding Mills Complex, 107 Providence Street, Putnam, CT 06260 USA. Phone: 860.928.1113; Fax: 860.928.2720; Web: www.biosensory.com
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Betty Galligan, APR
Newberry Public Relations
(401) 433-5965 betty@newberrypr.com
NEW PRODUCT DETECTS EARLY
BEDBUG INFESTATIONS
NightWatch Bedbug Monitor for pest control operators helps control bedbug outbreak worldwide
PUTNAM, Connecticut USA (June 1, 2009): BioSensory, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of environmentally-sensitive pest management products to monitor and control bedbugs, mosquitoes and biting insects, announces the development of its NightWatch ™ Bedbug Monitor – an innovative new product for pest control operators to use to detect bedbug infestations at the earliest stages.
Once eradicated in the United States in the 1950s by the use of DDT, bedbugs are back with a vengeance infesting clean and tidy homes, five-star hotels, college dorms, and living spaces across the country and beyond. Bedbugs have been identified as a rapidly emerging public health pest by the Environmental Protection Agency, which recently held a national summit in Washington, DC to assemble experts and gather ideas about how to address the problem.
“The bedbug problem is so severe the EPA Summit was convened over two days. Over 400 experts at the EPA Summit identified the need for early detection by persons with minimal training such as hotel housekeeping staff or facilities managers for university housing,” states Jim Nolen, president of BioSensory Inc. who attended the Summit. “NightWatch Bedbug Monitor is the only available technology that can meet this need. Anyone can learn to use NightWatch in 5 minutes. Experts, dogs, glue traps, and one-night monitors cannot detect a new infestation of a few bedbugs, but NightWatch can.”
BioSensory developed the NightWatch Bedbug Monitor based on knowledge of a bedbug’s physiology and an understanding of how the pest seeks a blood meal, combined with extensive field and laboratory testing. Because bedbugs bite once every 7 to 10 days, a new infestation of a few bedbugs often goes unnoticed. It is undetectable by the person being bitten and by the most expert professionals in the field. At first, the person thinks the bite is a pimple, then a rash. By the time a skin reaction is recognized as insect bites, the infestation has grown to hundreds of bedbugs and eggs and is expensive to eliminate.
“Early detection is among the most important factors when it comes to eliminating bed bug infestations in an efficient and cost effective fashion,” notes Richard Cooper, entomologist/technical director of Bed Bug Central
(Lawrenceville, NJ) and co-author of official Bed Bug Handbook: The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs and Their Control. “Unfortunately, due to the cryptic and secretive behaviors of bed bugs, infestations are often not detected for several months or more, allowing the population to become well established. The population distribution of and infestation that is detected early on tends to be rather isolated and can typically be eliminated with relative ease. However, over time, the bugs will disperse and become widely distributed and are much more difficult and expensive to eliminate. For these reasons early detection is absolutely critical in the control of bed bugs and can equate to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in savings during the elimination process.”
NightWatch is designed to function as a monitor, as it mimics a living, breathing human body — combining CO2* and a patented thermal heat source for a powerful two-pronged attractant and trapping system. When bedbugs approach to feed on what they think is a human, they fall into the pitfall traps made of highly polished material and cannot escape. NightWatch can catch both mature and immature bedbugs, since the monitor’s detection period spans the 7-10 days bedbugs take between meals.
BioSensory recommends NightWatch Bedbug Monitor as one part of an Integrated Pest Management program (inspection, treatment and monitoring, reinspection). NightWatch is available for commercial use through distributors of professional pest management products in the U.S., Canada and around the world. Distributors include companies such as Forshaw Distribution (Charlotte, NC), Residex, LLC (Cranford, NJ), Rhodes Chemical (Kansas City, KS), Steve’s
Pest Management (Chatham, Ontario CANADA), Target Specialty Products (Santa Fe Springs, CA), and Univar USA (Austin, TX). Consumers may request NightWatch through their local pest control operator.
“We are pleased NightWatch solves two key pieces of the bedbug problem: a monitor that anyone can use, and one that can detect bedbugs the very first time they look for a meal.” concludes Mr. Nolen. “NightWatch could become the universal ‘smoke detector’ that can save millions in cleanup costs and provide peace of mind so people can sleep at night.”
For more information, visit www.biosensory.com.
* BioSensory does not sell or provide the CO2. Consumers must purchase the CO2 from a separate source.
# # #
Established in 1996, BioSensory, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of environmentally sensitive, advanced technology monitors and traps as well as kairomone inhibitors and dispensers to keep biting insects away from people, pets and livestock. Patented and trademarked products include The Dragonfly® II, Mosquito ‘Cognito®, Conceal® Candles and NightWatch™ Bedbug Monitor. Based on extensive laboratory and field studies of each pests’ natural biting instincts and physiology, the company has developed a line of products to meet the needs of pest management professionals and consumers alike. When used as part of an Integrated Pest Management system, BioSensory products minimize damage to the environment by reducing the need for insecticides, and denying insects the opportunity to become resistant to pesticides through overuse. Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the company has developed, tested and distributed environmentally safe products throughout the world. BioSensory is located in the Belding Mills Complex, 107 Providence Street, Putnam, CT 06260 USA. Phone: 860.928.1113; Fax: 860.928.2720; Web: www.biosensory.com
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Betty Galligan, APR
Newberry PR & Marketing
401.433.5965 USA betty@newberrypr.com
New food-safe candles keep biting insects away from customers; enhance revenue
WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut (February 23, 2005): Like many restaurant owners with outdoor seating, Brian Mozzer faced a recurring problem. Once the warmer weather arrived, mosquitoes plagued his deck, which made the patio seating an unsatisfactory place for patrons.
“I’ve had a mosquito problem for the last 16 years,” states Mozzer, owner of Jonathan Pasco’s Restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut. “The last thing a customer wants is to sit down and be bitten. There’s nothing appealing about being pestered by mosquitoes while you’re trying to enjoy your dinner.” When rainwater would accumulate between the decking slats, it created an ideal breeding ground for mosquito larvae. After the mosquitoes hatched, they’d nest in nearby trees and “go to dinner” on restaurant patrons.
Mozzer found a solution to his mosquito problem in BioSensory, Inc.’s Conceal®
Candles, which he used as part of a tabletop centerpiece. Upon using the Conceal® Candles, the pests no longer swarmed his customers and they were able to enjoy their meals without disturbance. “The candles not only provided a nice ambiance,” comments Mozzer, “but also created an effective mosquito barrier. Bottom line is, my revenue has been enhanced from the use of the Conceal® Candles because I can seat patrons outside longer, and they order more food and drinks.”
BioSensory’s candles are uniquely suited for dining use because – unlike Citronella – they work and have an appealing fragrance. Unlike pyrethrum or permethrin products, the Conceal® inhibitor ingredient is found in food additives, further making it well-suited for dining environments. “For the first time, I’ve been able to advertise a ‘bug-free’ deck,” Mozzer adds. “The convenience and cost-saving benefits of using the candles is also a great bonus. I was genuinely shocked at the longevity of the candles. Regular votives only last seven hours, but these took me through the entire summer with minimal reorder. And something else that my customers appreciate is that they have a pleasant smell – not like Citronella.”
Before using the candles, Mozzer estimates customers used to stay for maybe ten minutes, tops. The mosquitos would drive them inside where it was so crowded that they’d leave to go someplace else. “Now, they stay for a relaxed one-and-ahalf hour dining period and I can re-seat it, as well.
In the summer, I can seat between 8:30 pm and 1:00 am so it’s approximately four hours of revenue-producing time. The candles have certainly increased my revenue and ROI because the deck’s usability is 100%.”
With his usability at 100% because of Conceal® Candles, Mozzer was then able to decipher how much revenue he was averaging throughout the summer. “I was able to come up with an estimated revenue based on the increase of business I received and, I have to say, I was genuinely surprised. Assuming that my tables were full, I averaged $1,898 per night in revenue. Now multiply that by the dining time within the entire season and you can see the ROI.”
Established in 1996, BioSensory, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced technology products to control mosquitoes and biting insects without insecticides such as Pyrethrin or repellents containing DEET. Patented and trademarked products include The Dragonfly System, Mosquito ‘Cognito and Conceal® Candles.
Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the company has developed, tested and distributed environmentally safe products throughout the world.
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BioSensory is located in the Windham Mills Technology Center, 322 Main Street, Building 1, Willimantic, CT 06226-3149 USA. Conceal Candles are protected by two US patents (5,205,064 and 5,799,436), as well as international patents. Phone:
(401) 471-7400; Web: www.biosensory.com
Published by Metro News service in February 2005.
“You’ve spent the whole weekend outdoors, biking, gardening, barbecuing, and just enjoying the beautiful weather. But you awake Monday morning to a body full of insect bites! You thought about those Citronella candles you put out on the deck and the oily repellent you sprayed all over your body. But alas, you are left with the task of nursing those itchy bug bites, wondering if spending that time outdoors was even worth it. Why are biting insects, such as mosquitoes, so drawn to humans? Like bloodhounds, they have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell.
They can smell you from 100 feet away but they can’t see you until they are 30 feet away. “Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and Octenol, chemicals that humans and animals emit when they exhale, which mosquitoes can detect from 100 feet away,” says Jim Nolen, president of BioSensory, a U.S.- based manufacturer of next-generation mosquito control products, many of which result from cooperative research with the U.S.D.A. That’s why you need to take advantage of mosquitoes’ poor sense of smell and turn it against them by blocking their ability to track a person’s scent. Since the bugs can’t track your scent, they cannot get close enough to see you. And, if they cannot see you, then they cannot bite you.
Conceal® products by Biosensory do just that. They come in a candle form or in tabletop unit which dispenses Conceal inhibitor into the atmosphere through quiet, batterypowered fans.Place them in areas where people or animals congregate such as on a deck, patio or porch, or in a yard, pool, boat tent or barn. Conceal products are safe to use around food, children and pets, and they do not harm the environment. So you can toss out the oily DEET and Citronella candles. Conceal products provide protection from mosquitos for pennies a day and are much more convenient to use than DEET and are much more effective than Citronella.
For more information, contact BioSensory at (401) 471-7400 or visit www.biosensory.com. GT054XXX