BioSensory Offers New Technology To Fight Backyard Mosquitoes.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers

WILLIMANTIC, Conn.--(BW HealthWire)--July 26, 2001

The days of greasy insect repellent, smoky candles and mosquitoes ruining a back yard family picnic may be gone forever. BioSensory Inc., a technology company out of Willimantic, Connecticut, has introduced Mosquito Cognito(R), an innovative device that effectively prevents pesky mosquitoes from landing on you and your dinner guests all summer long.

Mosquito Cognito, about as big as an oversized coffee mug, takes advantage of a unique concept in mosquito control. Rather than using hit or miss sprays and oils that hope to repel insects, the Cognito emits Conceal(TM), an inhibitor that literally blocks the mosquito's keen sense of smell. If mosquitoes can't track your scent, they can't find you, and they move on. The active ingredient in the Mosquito Cognito's Conceal is a basic food additive found in the essential oils of plants and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The "inhibitor" idea behind Mosquito Cognito is simple. When humans exhale, they give off CO2 (carbon dioxide) and Octenol, an alcohol-based substance. Mosquitoes have sensors that are amazingly accurate in detecting the presence of these two chemicals, and once the scent is picked up, they will rapidly fly toward their victims. Placing two or three Mosquito Cognitos on a deck, patio or pool will release a level of Conceal many times more effective than conventional repellents like DEET and Citronella oil at keeping away annoying mosquitoes.

"Mosquitoes home in on a person's exhaled CO2 and Octenol from as far away as 100 feet," says BioSensory president, Jim Nolen. "By putting Conceal into the air and literally blocking their sense of smell, Mosquito Cognito dramatically reduces the chances of mosquitoes ever getting close enough to bite."

With the dreaded West Nile virus spreading through the northeast and south faster than first anticipated, scientists are seeking viable alternatives to today's chemicals and pesticide spraying. To encourage viable mosquito control options, research on technology like that used in Mosquito Cognito is being jointly funded by both the public and private sectors.

Proven Effective

Mosquito Cognito has already proven itself at on-the-job test sites around the country. For example, Vector Control Supervisor Mark Ritter of the St. Louis City Department of Health personally tested Mosquito Cognito and found it "remarkably effective." Trapping scores of mosquitoes over a few nights to establish a fair population benchmark, Ritter then used Cognito to determine its effect at keeping mosquitoes at bay.

"I was amazed at how successful it was," stated Ritter. "Mosquito landings dropped by over 80%, simply by having a single Mosquito Cognito sitting on the back porch. This product really works."

Each Cognito costs about $30.00. Its Conceal cartridge lasts 360 hours in continuous use, or about one to two months in normal operation, and the alkaline batteries used to drive its small fan last about 700 hours. To purchase Mosquito Cognito and other BioSensory products, visit www.nomorebites.com. For a list of professional pest control companies that carry Mosquito Cognito, log onto www.biosensory.com.

BioSensory, Inc., is a high technology company located in Willimantic, Connecticut. 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 is marketing products utilizing the most advanced technology to control mosquitoes and biting insects without pesticides or toxic repellents.