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Articles - Misc. : Wi-Fi mosquito killer
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 Message 1 of 3 in Discussion 
From: Rene  (Original Message)Sent: 11/21/2005 10:41 PM
 

Wi-Fi mosquito killer coming to a porch near you

Stefanie Olsen, Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: November 21, 2005
A biotechnology company with a specialty in killing mosquitoes is turning to wireless technology and computers to make a killing for itself.

American Biophysics, a small private company based in North Kingstown, R.I., runs a healthy business selling the "Mosquito Magnet," a system to rid American backyards of biting insects, according to its new CEO Devin Hosea.


Simply described, the magnet emits a humanlike scent that includes carbon dioxide and moisture to attract bloodsucking insects. When the bugs flutter past, they're sucked into and suffocated by a vacuumlike device.


Now AmBio, as the company is commonly called, is upping the ante with a "smart" mosquito net, or computerized defense system, to serve the corporate and public health sectors. By the first quarter of 2006, AmBio executives hope to have finalized sophisticated software to control a network of magnets--forming a kind of wide-scale fence--which will be able to communicate with a central network through wireless 802.11b technology.


That way, the system will be able to efficiently ward off bugs from golf courses and resorts, or even help mitigate cases of malaria in third world countries, according to Hosea.


"We got the idea from institutions that were jury-rigging our technology to computer networks and mesh networks, with PC panels, to see how many mosquitoes they'd caught or how much propane they had left...It's unbelievable the lengths people will go to, to get rid of mosquitoes," said Hosea, a former National Science Foundation Fellow in artificial intelligence.


"We've meshed a great mosquito-catching machine with a computer technology on top of it, and wireless network technology on top of that, and then turned it into a great defensive shield against mosquitoes coming into your habitat," he said.


This week, AmBio received a cash infusion of $15 million to commercialize the planned corporate product. Investors led by Chicago-based Ritchie Capital Management, an early backer of the biotech company, participated in a series B round of funding in 7-year-old AmBio. Hosea, who is managing director of Ritchie Capital's Biotechnology Venture Group and former president of Internet software company Predictive Networks, was also named AmBio's president and CEO this week.


Mosquito-catching has long been part of a thriving market for gizmos. People living in bug-bite climates like Atlanta and Boston have relied on everything from spray repellants and rolled-up newspapers to netting barriers and devices like the bug-sucking Bugzooka.


Aside from the pest factor, mosquitoes can carry diseases like the West Nile virus in the U.S. and malaria in developing nations. Malaria is one of the largest killers outside developed countries, and as many as 90 percent of malaria victims contract the illness from infected mosquitoes.


AmBio spends about $5 million to $10 million annually on research for new attractants that will lure new species of biting insects into its traps, including female mosquitoes (the ones that bite), and sand flies.


Its current, odorless formula combines carbon dioxide, moisture, heat and a short-range attractant called octenol. Each magnet, powered 24 hours a day by a standard 20-pound propane tank, or a combination of propane and electricity supplied through a low-voltage (12-volt) power cord, has a 100-yard range for drawing bugs.


The main device is basically a vacuum cleaner that sucks insects in and dehydrates them until they die "a horrible death," Hosea said. "So far we don't know of any mosquito rights group, so it's totally PC to kill as many as you want." (Non-bloodsucking bugs, such as butterflies and beetles, are not attracted.)


The Mosquito Magnet currently has roughly 65 percent of the antibug market, according to the company.

The coming smart magnet system harkens back to the early days of networked PCs, Hosea said, when people came up with the idea of "LAN-tastic," for a local-area network or a ring of network connectivity.


From:   http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-11395_3-5961535.html

 


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 Message 2 of 3 in Discussion 
From: ReneSent: 4/21/2006 11:31 PM
This one is hardly Wi-Fi, but to me anyway it still beats DEET ! {it is a bit of a promotion, but also provides some good information]  The original article has a number of links & sone rather nice pictures too.
 
 

 


Get Outside and Enjoy Summer the Natural Way -- with 100% Safe and Effective Neem-Based Outdoor Botanical Gel 
 
Mosquito season is already kicking into high gear in some parts of the country. With mosquitoes, we all know comes the risk of West Nile Virus and other infections. It takes just one bite to cause an infection that could cause serious illness -- or even death. While people over 50 are more likely to become seriously ill if infected with the West Nile Virus, people of any age can become mildly to seriously ill.

The truth is West Nile Virus has yet to spread to epidemic proportions as predicted. In fact, the chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The real danger of West Nile is what is being done to people and their young and unborn children through exposure to these toxic chemicals.

So maybe repelling mosquitoes and other pests, as opposed to killing them, offers a better way to deal with the nuisance and dangers they pose. And because itchy and aggravated skin, though not life-threatening, can easily spoil a camping trip or an evening walk around the neighborhood -- it's still wise to protect yourself from these pesky bloodsuckers.

 

Avoid one of summer's most serious nuisances without the toxic risks of chemical-based sprays. Botanical Outdoor Gel is non-toxic and safe for everyone!
 
Among the CDC's recommendations for avoiding West Nile -- during peak mosquito biting hours stay indoor. Staying indoors in the summer is much more easily said than done. So, if like most of us, you are headed outdoor for family fun -- you'll need to bring the bug spray along.

However, most insect repellents available today are loaded with toxic chemicals. It stands to reason that if insecticides kill life forms like insects, then they might have the potential to harm other life forms, like you and I, our families, and our pets. In particular, these poisons pose a serious threat to pregnant women, their fetuses, and any woman planning to become pregnant soon.

The potential health risks are also higher for our children because their skin more readily absorbs chemicals and those chemicals are likely to pose greater harm to their developing nervous systems.

It's a classic "Catch 22." How can you make the most of your summer outdoors while avoiding the swarms of insects -- without exposing yourself to more harm? As you know, I'm fond of seeking out simple solutions, and I've found an outstanding solution for safeguarding your skin -- Botanical Outdoor Gel from Neem Tree Farms.

When it comes to safe and effective protection, this gel should be your #1 choice, and here's why:

Botanical Outdoor Gel uses only certified organic aloe vera and green neem leaf extract.

75% of this gel is made from botanicals, the remaining 25% is made from gold standard emulsifiers and antibacterials.

Its 100% safe for EVERYONE -- including children and even infants!

This gel won't irritate your skin -- even the most sensitive skin types will love it.

Botanical Outdoor Gel is loaded with skin soothing ingredients -- like aloe vera and cold pressed neem oil -- that work as anti-inflammatory agents to calm irritated skin from bites you may already have.

Neem Tree Farms is the world's largest certified organic neem tree farm, located in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula -- helping to sustain the region's environment and economy.

So break out your picnic basket because with neem-based Botanical Outdoor Gel you can enjoy your summer to the absolute fullest -- outdoors!

Insecticides: the Solution or the Problem?

The insecticides that are being sprayed across our country to fight the West Nile Virus are likely to contribute to a number of other diseases. Here are some critical facts about insecticides that I urge you to consider:

Insecticide exposure has already been revealed to be a potential contributing factor in the development of Parkinson's disease..

Pyrethrum, one insecticide that has been used, has been shown to cause birth defects in animals studies.

Some pesticides may also interfere with your immune and endocrine systems and toxicology testing has shown other adverse chronic effects, including effects on the liver and thyroid.

Pesticides have been linked to miscarriage.

Certain insecticide chemicals, such as DEET, have caused diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats, and it has been suggested you may experience memory loss, headache, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, tremors and shortness of breath if heavily exposed to some insecticides.

Pesticides, NOT West Nile Virus, are the leading cause of bird deaths.

 

My #1 choice for safe and effective protection, neem-based Botanical Outdoor Gel is:

100% safe for your whole family -- even children and infants!
Made from aloe vera, citronella, geraniol and neem to give you healthy summer skin.
Free of irritating toxic chemicals -- even if the most sensitive skin types will love it.
Loaded with soothers -- like aloe vera and cold pressed neem oil -- to calm irritated skin from bites you may already have.
GUARANTEED -- if you are not satisfied, we'll give you your money back!

 
Even though the EPA still recommends the use of DEET-based insect repellents, they also recommend the following precautions:

Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label). Do not use under clothing.

Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.

Do not apply to eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.

Do not allow children to handle the products, and do not apply to children's hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child.

Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and do not use it near food.

Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation is generally unnecessary for effectiveness; if biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.

After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. If you suspect that you or your child are reacting to an insect repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin, and then call your local poison control center. If you go to a doctor, take the repellent with you.

Read more EPA cautionary statements.

What You Won't Find in Botanical Outdoor Gel Can't Hurt You

Today, you'd be hard pressed to pick up a commercial mosquito repellent that doesn't contain synthetic chemicals, like DEET. When used according to label directions, the EPA considers these toxins to be safe for humans.

Just because the EPA approves of a pesticide doesn't mean it is safe. It has pulled nearly 100 pesticides off the market that were previously available to the public. Many of the pesticides available right now haven't been around long enough for us to know if they are dangerous or not in the long run.

And, keep in mind that repeated use of chemical based repellents can lead to accumulations on the skin, which if absorbed into the skin, and can lead to a host of serious medical conditions.

Neem has been used as a safeguard against insects for thousands of years. Made up of the finest ingredients nature has to offer, neem-based Botanical Outdoor Gel effectively protects your skin using an organic blend of neem leaf extract, aloe vera base (to soothe bites you already have!), neem oil, citronella and geraniol. So get outside and get going!


 
Synthetic chemical insect repellents require washing with soap to remove them completely from your body. But that still may not put an end to the repellent's threat because some of these chemicals remain on your clothing for weeks after use, continuing to be absorbed by your skin.

When you use a bug repellent loaded with chemicals not yet proven safe, you are essentially gambling with your health. What you put on your skin is your choice, so choose wisely.

Botanical Outdoor Gel is Ideal for Healthy Summer Skin!


The Neem is called the "village pharmacy" in India because of its medicinal-like properties. Although neem has been a cornerstone of the Ayurvedic tradition for nearly 5,000 years, this amazing tree first captured the attention of western researchers in 1959 after a plague of locusts in the Sudan.

A German entomologist, Heinrich Schmutterer, noticed that neem trees were still standing after all other vegetation was destroyed. Subsequent research, detailed in the book "Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems," published by the National Academy Press, showed that Japanese beetles, another voracious species, starved to death rather than consume soybean leaves treated with neem extract.

At the same time, neem is extremely safe for mammals, with ongoing research funded through the USDA indicating that it is "practically non-toxic" even at extraordinarily high doses fed to laboratory rats. It's used in skincare products around the world, from traditional Ayurvedic soaps and lotions to a new anti-aging cream created by Avon.

That means neem-based Botanical Outdoor Gel is actually good for your skin. If you're like most people, you probably don't apply an insect repellent until you've already been bitten -- and then spraying an alcohol-based product with DEET can be a very uncomfortable experience. Along with citronella and geraniol, Botanical Outdoor Gel is formulated with certified-organic aloe vera and cold-pressed neem oil so it soothes your skin rather than irritating it.

Why I Use Neem Outdoor Botanical Gel -- and Highly Recommend It to You!

Neem Tree Farms planted their first neem trees in 1992 as organic gardeners committed to using least-toxic methods of pest control. Today, they have more than 300 acres of organic neem trees and aloe vera growing in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Neem seedlings are grown in a special nursery area for one year until rainy season, when they can be planted in fields with aloe vera plants. Both grow well in limestone and clay soil because they carefully use sustainable organic techniques.

Legumes have been planted to fix nitrogen in the soil and we have discovered that tropical sheep thrive on the weeds that compete with neem and aloe for sun, water and nutrients. The sheep have another advantage: they spread their own organic fertilizer throughout the farm during the day. At night, they are corralled for protection from predators -- enabling the farm to collect more fertilizer for nursery plants.

Neem Tree Farms has planted nopal, chaya and other medicinal herbs that thrive in a dry tropical climate where sustainable agriculture is vital to both the environmental and economic health of the region. More than 20 Mayan workers tend to the 340-acre farm year-round. The skilled native workers selectively prune the organic neem trees, quickly packing green leaves for immediate production. The farm, which has the only computer in the region, has become the largest employer in the area.

I've never been one to settle for anything but the best and neither should you -- especially when it comes to protecting your health. And that's why I recommend you try Botanical Outdoor Gel. When it comes to quality and safety -- no company is as uncompromising as Neem Tree Farms. When you use Botanical Outdoor Gel you are treating your skin to some of the best ingredients nature has to offer including:
 

Certified-organic neem leaf extract from premium neem leaf, hand-picked at the peak of potency.

The finest wild-crafted neem oil, cold-pressed and solvent-free.

Certified-organic aloe vera that is hand-filleted from the heart of a whole leaf.

One of the best-known organic compounds to protect against insects -- Citronella.

Geraniol -- a natural antioxidant with medicinal properties.


Reply
 Message 3 of 3 in Discussion 
From: ReneSent: 4/21/2006 11:32 PM
 Ooops pressed send too soon  It's from:  http://www.mercola.com/forms/botanical_gel.htm