California Hospital Wins Mosquito Fight

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%.”

The Louisville Courier-Journal

Saturday, August 24, 2002
A Continuing Search for the Best of Everything
Clever Gadget Leads Charge Against Mosquito Brigade

By MARY FRANCES LANDENWICH
Who won’t be bugged

While gathering my weapons, I peer through the window at the slow setting sun, anxiously awaiting the coming of dusk. Again, I strategically plan my defense, ridding my body of any cosmetic fragrance. At last glance, the solar lanterns begin to glow like fireflies, and the purple hue descends upon my patio garden. It is time. The battle begins.

One step through the back door. I am clothed in my armor of hot, sweaty jeans and doused with the not-so-sweet smell of insect repellent, ready for the first attack. There is a brief moment of hesitation and doubt; should I have worn a long-sleeve shirt? No! No! It is my summer night, my backyard patio, and I will not be fortressed inside, held captive to so small an organism.

As the door closes, I race frantically the three yards to the Citronella torches, fumbling with the matches in the dark. The torches quickly ignite, and I sigh with relief, settling into my patio rocker, ready for the serenity of the star-filled sky to relieve the tension of the day.

I glance down at my watch. Three minutes have passed and not a bite. But I can’t relax. I know they are out there in the dark waiting to catch me off my guard. Then it happens: a faint sensation from my right foot. Looking down, I see the small, black mosquito injecting its itching poison into the top of my foot. I slap my hand down, only to miss as the quickster alights and flies from my grip. And I realize flip-flops were a mistake.

Within minutes, my anxiety rises, and I become a madwoman, suspicious of the night. To maintain my sanity, I retreat to the house to regroup.

I brood and become distant. I hate to admit defeat.

Then, alas, my trusty warrior husband, weary of my obsession to rid the yard of mosquitoes, discovers a secret weapon: the Mosquito ‘Cognito. Now I must say, although I will try anything to regain my backyard territory, I was skeptical. This green plastic gizmo with vent holes around the sides could not possibly repel these pesky insects. No smoky candles. No spray. Just pull it to open, push it to close. Too easy, I thought; too small. It must be given the ultimate test. I return to the patio at dusk, wearing shorts, a tank top, no insect repellent. I light no Citronella candles. I place the Mosquito ‘Cognito on the patio table in the “on” position, a few yards from my favorite chair. I sit and I wait. Ten minutes pass, and all is clear. Then 20, and 30. And then I knew I had won. I had regained my patio and my yard.

How does it work?
Mosquitoes can sense exhaled carbon dioxide and octenol 100 feet away. In other words, they smell you and change direction to fly toward you. The Mosquito ‘Cognito uses an inhibitor called Conceal. It is not a repellent but blocks the carbon-dioxide scent. In other words, it messes with the mosquitos’ minds, so they can’t find you. Pretty clever.

And it works. Developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Mosquito ‘Cognito runs on two AA batteries. The replaceable Conceal cartridge will last approximately 360 hours. It has a patent pending.

If you want to enjoy your back yard on a summer evening, be armed with the best and easiest product for keeping mosquitoes at bay. The Mosquito ‘Cognito can be ordered on-line at mosquitosolutions.com and costs about $30.

Go ahead; the last battle is at hand.

Mary Frances Landenwich teaches eighth-grade language arts at Highland Middle School in Louisville.