Is fumigation cheaper than a Biogents Mosquito trap?
We often hear from our customers “your traps are expensive”. In many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, most having price-driven economies, this first reaction is understandable. However, this article will show you the fumigation costs versus the costs of our mosquito traps. You will see that this first reaction is not justified and we have the figures to prove it. At least for Cambodia.
But first I like to draw attention to an important research that was done in Cambodia last year.
A research from the Institute Pasteur in Phnom Penh
Researchers from the Institute Pasteur in Phnom Penh discovered that Aedes aegypti (the Yellow Fever mosquito that transmits, among others, dengue fever) is country-wide resistant against the three most commonly used mosquito control insecticides. Read the abstract of the research.
The researchers conclude that “new vector controls are needed to replace the ineffective insecticides in Cambodia“.
I think we can safely conclude that trapping mosquitoes is a great alternative to using insecticides!
The costs of our traps vs. the costs of fumigation
Most of our agents in Cambodia charge around $53 per trap per month. This price includes the monthly rental of the trap (MosquitaireCO2), the CO2 and attractant that is needed, installation and servicing of the trap. Our agents will also discuss with you the best places of where to put the traps. Once the traps are installed and operational, you will have mosquito control 24/7. Our traps cover roughly 300 – 600 m2 and the traps get serviced twice per month. After several weeks you should start to notice a reduction in mosquito presence.
To fumigate a similar area of 400 m2 would cost you $70-80 per month. Four weekly sessions of $20 each. If you pay (a lot) less per session, then there is a high possibility that the insecticides are mixed in a too low concentration - something that has contributed to increase the mosquitoes' resistance against insecticides. This is a public secret and a way for some pest control companies to make more money!
Then we have the timing problem. The best times to fumigate (against Aedes mosquitoes) are just after sunrise and just before sunset - the time when they are most active. But pest control companies normally work between 08.00h and 17.00h. Not the most ideal times to fumigate.
Now fasten your seatbelt. We know from the research above that fumigation simply does not work anymore in Cambodia. Aedes mosquitoes have become resistant against the most commonly used insecticides!
Conclusion
In Cambodia fumigation is more expensive than the Biogents BG-Mosquitaire with CO2.
Not only in absolute numbers. There will be no reduction in mosquito populations whatsoever. Mosquitoes are simply resistant. Any dollar spent on fumigation is wasted. So do you keep polluting the world with non-effective pesticides? It’s time to start thinking green and trap mosquitoes!
We like to hear your thoughts about fumigation in your area. Please leave a comment below!
Note: Biogents declares that we have in no way been involved with the research mentioned in this article. This was an independent research conducted by scientists of the Institute Pasteur in Phnom Penh and others.
