Successful Insecticide-Free Mosquito Control on Islands
What started as a mosquito nuisance problem on a few tropical islands has gradually developed into a new, insecticide-free approach to mosquito control.
For many island resorts, mosquitoes are more than just an annoyance. Warm temperatures, tropical vegetation, and constant breeding opportunities create ideal conditions for mosquito populations throughout the year. Traditionally, resorts have relied on frequent fogging with insecticides to keep mosquito numbers under control.
But fogging often only provides short-term relief. Mosquitoes quickly return from hidden breeding sites, and repeated pesticide use can affect beneficial insects and sensitive island ecosystems.
Together with the Entomologist and mosquito specialist Dr. Bart GJ Knols, Biogents took a different approach:
Instead of focusing on chemical control, the company developed a mosquito management strategy based on mosquito behavior. Over many years of research, Biogents designed traps that imitate the cues of a human body — including airflow patterns, visual contrasts, and artificial skin scents that attract mosquitoes.
This is how it works:
The Biogents trap is designed to continuously attract and capture mosquitoes before they bite people. A fan generates air currents similar to those around a human body, while attractants imitate human skin odors. Once mosquitoes approach the trap, they are pulled into a collection chamber.
2) Upwards directed air flow imitates convection currents of a human body and dispenses artificial human skin scents.
3) A light-dark contrast acts as a visual cue.
- The trap imitates the cues of a human body which are attractive for mosquitoes.
For the mosquito, the trap looks just like a human being. - Skin scent plume produced by a human = Attractant plume dispersed by the trap
The idea behind the island projects was simple:
instead of temporary mosquito reduction through spraying, the traps would operate continuously, 24 hours a day, while breeding sites were systematically managed.
Example of the distribution of the mosquito traps over an island
One of the first large-scale projects was carried out in the Maldives at the Soneva Fushi resort:
The goal was to reduce mosquito populations without relying heavily on insecticides. The results were significant: scientific studies later documented a 98% reduction in mosquitoes on the island.
The approach was later expanded to additional islands.
Can such an insecticide-free approach truly be effective? Watch for yourself!
Follow the secret of success of many other islands
Philippines, Banwa Private Island: In 2023, Banwa Private Island in North-eastern Palawan became the first mosquito-free island in the Philippines. This was the first island we tackled in the Philippines. They have seen a massive drop in mosquito numbers in just 3 months! The results are truly amazing, and the team was able to make this island mosquito-free within just 4 months. “Since two months I have not had a single bite, and I’m out and about day and night all the time – and they usually love me!”, Peter Nilsson, Banwa’s General Manager, noted.
Maldives, Soneva Fushi resort: In 2021, we reached an incredible milestone at Soneva Fushi – a massive 98% reduction in the mosquito population (see also their video on YouTube above and the scientific paper available for download below).
Maldives, Joali Being resort: 102 Biogents AG mosquito traps have been installed at magnificent JOALI BEING resort in the Maldives, making this the 11th island that has adopted a pesticide-free approach to control mosquitoes in this country.
Madagascar, Miavana resort: In October 2023 we completed the installation of 135 Biogents BG-Mosquitaire traps on this island, off the north-east coast of Madagascar in the spectacularly beautiful Miavana resort. They have 10 species of mosquitoes on the island.
Summer Island Maldives: April 2022 Summer Island Maldives has started implementing a new, eco-friendly strategy to eliminate mosquitoes from the island, without the need for fogging and using harmful pesticides. Summer Island’s Resort Manager Mari Shareef stated: “This project is not just about creating a mosquito-free environment for our guests. We want to show that these kinds of things can be done in a way where we don’t have to resort to harmful pesticides and chemicals.”
What makes the approach different is that it focuses on long-term population suppression rather than temporary control. The traps continuously remove mosquitoes from the environment while reducing the need for insecticide applications.
The results from these projects have also been documented scientifically. Two peer-reviewed studies — Jahir et al. (2022) and Knols et al. (2023) — demonstrated that mosquito populations on small islands could be reduced by more than 95%, with some islands achieving near elimination.
Today, Biogents’ island mosquito management projects are showing that effective mosquito control does not necessarily require large-scale pesticide use. Instead, a combination of behavioral science, continuous trapping, and targeted breeding-site management can offer an alternative solution for environmentally sensitive island environments.
Scientific Background
This groundbreaking method has already left its mark on numerous islands across diverse ecological landscapes. Backed by solid scientific evidence, its efficacy has been demonstrated through two notable publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Soneva on the Maldives: a massive 98% reduction
The first study, conducted by Jahir et al. in 2022, showcases the remarkable results of implementing the mosquito trap-based control strategy on three Maldivian islands, including the prestigious Kunfunadhoo, home to Soneva Fushi—an acclaimed luxury island resort.
Puerco Island in the Philippines: mosquito-free within 4 months
Meanwhile, the second publication by Knols et al. in 2023 provides additional validation of the trapping-based approach, this time on Puerco Island in the Philippines.
The findings? Nothing short of astounding. In both studies, the mosquito population was nearly eliminated, marking a triumph in the fight against these pesky and potentially dangerous pests.
The evidence does not stop with these two publications. The method has been successfully implemented on numerous other small islands, further bolstering its effectiveness. Remarkably, we’ve achieved reductions in mosquito abundance of over 95%, with some islands witnessing the complete eradication of mosquitoes altogether!
Excited about implementing this innovative mosquito control strategy on your island? With Bart Knols, PhD, at the helm, your project is in the most capable hands. As a seasoned vector control specialist, Bart is dedicated to tailoring a strategy that perfectly aligns with the unique ecological dynamics of your island. Get ready to experience firsthand the transformative power of effective mosquito control under Bart’s expert guidance.
Contact details: Our partner Dr. Bart Knols is happy to consult you!
When you contact Bart with the name of your island and country, he will be able to make an initial assessment of your needs on the basis of Google Earth imagery. You can also request an online meeting with him to discuss your specific situation and any questions you may have. All of this will be at no cost. Once in agreement, Biogents will ship all the traps and Bart will travel to your island to conduct the installation of the traps and train staff on how to service and maintain the traps.
Dr. Bart GJ Knols
K&S Holding BV, Mosquito Management
Kalkestraat 20
6669 CP Dodewaard
The Netherlands
Email: info@ksconsulting.nl
Tel + 31 6 2001 4927
Links to more detailed information
- An article about the success of this project on CNN Travel: A paradise island vacation with no mosquito bites – and no chemicals
- The approach of Biogents mass mosquito trapping listed in the category ‘Bright Ideas in Travel 2023’ by Conde Nast Traveller
- A poster about the study that was presented in a the 2022 meeting of the European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA): Insecticide-free Mosquito Elimination on Small Maldivian Islands.
- Article about Banwa Private Island as the first mosquito-free island in the Philippines
- Studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals: Jahir et al. in 2022 & Knols et al. in 2023
- Information on the capture method of Biogents mosquito traps: https://eu.biogents.com/capture-method/
- Article about Summer Island Maldives implementing this new, eco-friendly strategy to eliminate mosquitoes by using Biogents traps: Summer island implements an eco-friendly mosquito eradication plan
- Article about Soneva Fushi becoming the world’s first mosquito-free island: Kunfunadhoo, Maldives, To Become World’s First Mosquito-Free Island