Quito is low cost and sustainable mosquito trap concept. It is specially designed for tropical countries to help reduce mosquito populations, thus, preventing mosquito-borne diseases transmission. This project was inspired by a recent visit to Bali where fumigation, DEET repellents, mosquito coils and traps are used to control mosquito populations. All of those efforts might not be as effective as you think, not to mention some of those are dangerous to humans, environment, or other insect populations.
Quito is a plug-in carbon dioxide-based mosquito trap. It works not by repelling mosquitoes away but it invites them into a central chamber. Carbon dioxide and artificial human odor are used to lure and trap those mosquitoes where a fan would draw them into the chamber where they dehydrate and die. This device aims to reduce mosquito population in socially and environmentally friendly approach.
Kennyjie Marcellino innovatively uses combination of fermentation and low-power electronic to reproduce the same cues that mosquitoes use to find humans. The lure cartridge of Quito is located at the top, it is airtight ceramic container that contains sugar water, yeast, and lactic acid, they produce CO2 and artificial human odor. Underneath, there’s an aerodynamic slip-casted Intake Funnel that holds a heating element and an impeller powered by a single 6v motor that generates low heat and airflow, this system carries the lure. Through the combination of heat, moisture, natural CO2, and artificial scent, they are slowly dispersed through corrugated rattan shell, just like human skin.
At the end of airflow, there’s a suction that draw mosquitoes through funnel where they are trapped and dehydrated by the airflow. Quito provides user with sustainable, low maintenance, and mess-free mosquito trap.
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