Biogents – Science for Your Protection –

The BG-Suna for professionals is specifically developed against malaria mosquitoes

The new patented BG-Suna trap for professionals is the latest innovation in mosquito traps, and specifically built for the use against malaria mosquitoes, designed as eco-friendly trap for hanging. The underlying patented capture technology was developed at the University of Regensburg, and is composed of several factors:

  • artificially generated air plumes that mimic human skin
  • skin odors
  • visual cues
  • carbon dioxide.

They together attract the mosquitoes, and trap them in a catch bag.

Originally the eco-friendly BG-Suna was designed by Biogents together with the University of Wageningen during a major 3-year study about malaria control involving over 4000 households. With the help of these traps, our goal is to eliminate malaria on the island of Rusinga in Kenya. To provide electricity to run the traps, a locally produced solar panel was installed on each house along with two light fixtures and a charging point for mobile phones. In this study, the BG-Suna is therefore also called SMoTS (for solar-powered mosquito trapping system).  For more information about this project please see the press release >

Properties

  • easy to handle and operate
  • environmentally friendly: does not use insecticides or pesticides
  • trap for hanging, consisting of robust plastic
  • carbon dioxide is necessary to attract the mosquitoes
  • weight: 1.05 kg, dimension: 52 x 39 cm,
  • energy-saving: 3.6 W, 230 VAC, 12 VDC

Selected features in detail

A) The surface of the robust plastic bottom cover is riddled with small holes that direct the air plumes out of the trap.
B) A shutter mechanism prevents the caught mosquitoes from escaping in case the power supply fails for any reason.
C) The power supply cable can be directed through the lid.
D) You can move the lid up and fix it with the hook on a hanger to work undisturbed on the net.
E) An improved cable connection ensures water-tightness.
F) We deliver two kinds of catch bags: a large catch bag that is attached to the ventilator, and catches the mosquitoes that are sucked in through the ventilator, and a small catch bag that is attached to the intake funnel before the ventilator. This one catches the mosquitoes before they are sucked in by the ventilator. This enables easier identification of the mosquitoes for monitoring purposes.

Contents

1 trap lid, 1 bottom cover of trap with incorporated ventilator  (12 V DC, 3.6 W), 1 tripod assembly, 1 large catch bag,  1 small catch bag, 1 intake funnel with shutter (attached to the bottom cover), 1 carbon dioxide emitter spout (attached to the bottom cover), 1 battery connection, 1.5 m carbon dioxide tube

CO2

Various sources of carbon dioxide can be used, and must be sourced separately. The carbon dioxide nozzle can be attached to a gas cylinder, to fermenting yeast, any well insulated dry ice container, or another carbon dioxide source that fits your preference, and that is placed away from the trap.

When CO2 is not available as an attractant, it might be a good idea to hang the trap close to a house where CO2 is directed outside from the residents.

The correct placement of the trap is an important factor that heavily influences its effectiveness. Test different locations!

Outdoor use

Position the trap in a location that is sheltered from wind, heavy rainfall*, and direct sunlight.
*rainfall will not damage the trap

Optimal positioning

Ideal locations to position the trap are close to resting areas of mosquitoes such as bushes, shrubs, hedges, or any other foliage. However, placing the trap in very tall grass or under bushes will impair its effectiveness.

The trap should also be positioned close to mosquito breeding sites such as various kinds of temporary stagnant water ranging from small lakes to collections of rain water in rain barrels or old tires. Many mosquitoes do not need a large amount of water for breeding; even a can filled with rain water can be an ideal breeding place.

When CO2 is not available as an attractant it might be a good idea to hang the trap close to a house where CO2 is directed outside from the residents.

Scientific studies on the BG-Suna and other Biogents traps

Images of publications

Verhulst, N.O., Bakker, J.W., and Hiscox, A. (2015). Modification of the Suna Trap for Improved Survival and Quality of Mosquitoes in Support of Epidemiological Studies.
J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 31, 223–232.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2987/moco-31-03-223-232.1

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Hiscox, A., Otieno, B., Kibet, A., Mweresa, C.K., Omusula, P., Geier, M., Rose, A., Mukabana, W.R., and Takken, W. (2014). Development and optimization of the Suna trap as a tool for mosquito monitoring and control. Malar. J. 13, 257.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-13-257

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PDF List of studies with Biogents traps >

PDF List of the scientific publications of our researchers >

To run the trap of electricity you can order a BG-Suna power supply (EU-version with 220 V input, 12 V DC output, and 1 A; product no. 610). For ordering please contact us at sales@biogents.com

Pricing

Prices can be found in the webshop for researchers >

Ordering

The BG-Suna can be purchased by contacting our customer support by e-mail sales@biogents.com or by fax (+49 941 5699 2168).
You can also consult our distributors.

Cross section through the BG-Suna mosquito trap.
Cross section through the BG-Suna.