The first island without mosquitoes... Where is it located?

2023-12-14 2023-12-14T12:18:04Z

ArabiaWeather - Anyone who has interacted with mosquitoes while trying to relax on a walk, or on a quiet beach knows that these little insects cast a big shadow on the quality of our holidays and in addition to being annoying, these insects can pose a health threat; Due to its role as a vector for dangerous diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Zika virus.

The "Soneva Fushi" resort, located on "Kunfunadhoo" Island in the Maldives, in cooperation with the German company "Biogents" , developed mosquito traps based on environmentally friendly attractants. The resort continued its quest to eliminate these pests, and the effective environmental solution it adopted in reducing mosquitoes was achieved. This measure also contributed to the revival of tropical plants and animals on the island, in addition to enhancing the quality of the environment surrounding the resort, as Arnvin Owens, Director of Social and Environmental Awareness at Soneva Resort, said:

“We were seeking ways to control mosquitoes without resorting to the use of chemicals.”

Soneva Resort innovates natural methods to combat mosquitoes without the use of chemicals

For a long time, the area has been battling a mosquito problem that worsens during the monsoon season, which runs from May to November. The resort began using the Biogents system for the first time in 2019, using two different styles of traps, placing more Of 500 traps all over the island.

The first type, known as BG-GAT , is a passive trap designed for tiger mosquitoes that have already bitten someone and are looking for a place to lay eggs, Owens explained.

A new type of trap contributes to achieving great success in combating mosquitoes at Soneva Resort

Soneva's innovative mosquito control strategy shows remarkable effectiveness. The second type of trap, known as "BG-Mosquitaire CO2" , uses carbon dioxide released by yeast, sugar and lactic acid to attract blood-seeking mosquitoes, mimicking the scent of human skin. In the first weeks of implementation, these traps resulted in the capture of thousands of mosquitoes daily.

The resort has gone above and beyond using traps, educating staff about the mosquito ecosystem. Currently, the Soneva team conducts regular inspections of the property to identify and reduce potential stagnant water, the necessary environment for mosquitoes to breed, and according to reports, the pest control program has been a success. The resort recorded a decrease of more than 98% in the number of mosquitoes on the island during the first year of implementing the program.

An amazing success in combating mosquitoes... Soneva Resort overcomes challenges thanks to the use of sustainable environmental technologies

Owens shows that the mosquito control efforts at Soneva Resort are achieving great success, as the “Biogents” system is considered effective and safe for daily use. He confirms that the counting process has become easier, with the numbers of mosquitoes declining significantly, and the positive comments from guests and the improvement of the local environment constitute evidence of success.

In the context of using Biogents , Owens points to the long-term effectiveness of the system without concerns of developing insect resistance. With the shift away from chemicals, the Maldives has seen a boom in native insects.

Owens adds:

"These natural pollinators have returned in droves, showing an increase in plants and fruit, and a positive impact on biodiversity. This means more birds and even firefly spotting at night."

The resort demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by cooperating with Biogents and adopting environmentally friendly methods. Based on the resort’s vision, it seeks to make a positive impact on the Maldives by presenting it as the first mosquito-free island, encouraging everyone to adopt these sustainable practices.