Mosquito System History

The MKS (Mosquito Killing System) is the result of 17 years of research and testing and was developed with technical assistance from NASA. The mosquito system was developed in conjunction with the Universities of Illinois, Arkansas State and Missouri and thousands of field tests were conducted by disease control agencies.

With the growing concern regarding the dangers associated with applying chemical repellents to the skin, ingesting the repellents and also getting them in the eyes, something new needed to be done to address these concerns. In addition, there were the environmental issues surrounding the spraying of chemical pesticides, which are known to be extremely toxic and dangerous to humans, animals and fish. These concerns were separate from the sickness and death issues caused by West Nile Virus, Malaria and Rift Valley Fever just to name a few. It is believed by many Entomologists that up to 50-percent of all disease-related deaths in the world can be contributed to the mosquito.

The process of coming up with a new method began by researching the alternative mosquito systems available on the market that contained no pesticides. It was discovered there were no such mosquito systems available. It was believed there had to be a better way to control mosquitoes without the use of chemicals. The following question had to be answered, "What attracts the mosquito to us?" The first conclusion was that mosquitoes were seeking blood. As an experiment, in order to view the mosquito's behavior, blood was placed on a slide. It was surprising to find the mosquitoes were not attracted to the blood. "What other factors attract them to us?" needed to be determined. Was it heat, moisture, motion, body scents / pheromones or breathing? Testing began on other items that might attract mosquitoes, such as chicken or beef livers. All these experiments had poor results. The capture / kill ratio did not increase, thus eliminating the belief that blood alone attracts the insect.

A bug light was purchased with the assumption that it would attract mosquitoes. After examining the contents of the dead insects, it became evident that bug lights do not attract mosquitoes either.

Studies commenced to determine why the mosquito "bites". Studies were also started to determine the breeding and behavioral habits of the insect as well. Research into certain behavioral patterns of the insect was conducted at Arkansas State University. Experiments then began with the bug light, modifying it to attract mosquitoes. The lights were removed from the mosquito system and replaced with a heating element, which initially seemed to have attractant features. Research and testing over the next 4 years revealed that mosquitoes preferred the temperatures of chickens, cattle, pets, and other animals to humans. Studies then began to determine the highest and lowest temperatures in which mosquitoes were attracted to the device. The test system was modified to cycle among the temperature ranges of the mammals (previously identified) in order to mimic these various animals. The testing revealed that more species of mosquitoes were attracted to the device, but not captured. Over the next 3 years tests were repeated and refined to determine the most effective temperatures and appropriate size of the system in order to achieve the most efficient product.

Mosquito systems ranging in size from a soda can to a 55-gallon drum were developed. Also, the determination was made as to the optimal elevation necessary to attract the largest number of mosquitoes. Over 600 tests were completed to determine the best performance. Efforts were then directed upon the wind design or air flow of the mosquito system, which aided in attracting mosquitoes to the device. It was observed that the majority of the mosquitoes were curious about the device and that the majority were females. Adding the air flow to the system increased the attractiveness and kill rate by up to 90-percent. This increase in the capture / kill ratio achieved an acceptable level that would justify more experiments as to the effectiveness of the wind design elements of the unit. Ultimately, it took 4 years to perfect the proper wind design. Additional tests were performed to determine the effectiveness of the mosquito system under diverse conditions. One test included adding moisture to the mosquito system design. Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, it made sense to incorporate moisture as a test. This study would determine the attractiveness of the mosquito system under these moist conditions. No significant difference was observed during this test.

Studies had now concluded that air movement, heat, size and elevation were all determining factors.

Armed with these facts, testing and experimentation moved to a second level in order to optimize the operation of the mosquito system. Further testing had revealed that the mosquitoes were detecting the electrical fields (Corona) of the mosquito system. This corona detection acted as a warning to the insect and deterred them from investigating further. Sticky paper, glue boards and other attractants were applied in an attempt to overcome this obstacle, but found nothing actually worked. It was decided that an alteration needed to be made to the system in order to conceal the electrical fields. This added other variables such as correct voltage and wind flow, which had to be optimized in the design of the Mosquito Killing System.

Additional research was initiated in order to find the availability of these features that needed to be incorporated into the design. At this point, a request for technological assistance was submitted to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. NASA engineers recommended a number of improvements to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the mosquito system. Specific areas of assistance by NASA included identifying the difficulties with the electrical fields, plus other issues pertaining to the surface texture and heat source. NASA then referred a non-profit agency to assist in developing the prototype as well as produce the molds used to manufacture the base and top structure of the mosquito system. A request was made to NASA to the use of the NASA name and the statement "Developed with Technical Assistance from NASA". The request was granted by the NASA / MSFC Legal Office on November 19, 1996.

The studies and testing resulted in 40 different variations of the mosquito system being developed in order to perfect the device. Once perfected, patents were applied for and subsequently granted on January 21, 1997. When the patents were granted, the information concerning the operation and design of the mosquito system became public knowledge. Immediate interest both, locally and internationally, developed. The next 2 years were spent on seeking the components to produce the device as well as obtaining UL Approval in order to manufacture and market the Mosquito Killing System. UL Approval was granted in April 1999.

Since 1999, several thousand mosquito systems have been sold both in the United States and internationally. A key hindrance to further sales, however, is that the marketing & sales approach lacked definite purpose. Therefore, on February 1st, 2005 Arctic Products Inc. signed an exclusive marketing, sales and financing contract with Diversified Marketing & Consulting Group (DMG) for all global operations. DMG also signed a simultaneous contract with LEXY in order to mutually achieve success.

Diversified Marketing and LEXY have already invested nearly $300,000 in the project. A full 30-minute infomercial has been completed as well as a 60-second T.V. commercial. A 2 ½ minute informational video and a 5-minute informational video have also been produced. Five Star Productions, one of the country's top film production companies, from Delray Beach, Florida was brought in to create the infomercial, ads and videos. Five Star Productions would also handle most of the intrinsic details regarding the infomercial and media buys through JL Media out of Union, New Jersey. Commercials and radio scripts have also been produced as well as full color brochures and banners. In addition, this contract secured consumer and dealer financing for Arctic's entire operation.

The Mosquito Killing System outperforms all other mosquito devices, traps and machines currently on the market. No other system can kill as many mosquitoes or reduce their population per square acre as this system and is much safer than propane or octenol devices. Through marketing and advertising efforts, the word will finally be delivered to the consumer market about the merits of this high-tech mosquito system.