Mosquito Surveillance Research Traps

Project Goal: Develop two commercial mosquito traps with optional data sensing and recording capabilities; and an affordable carbon dioxide dispersion system.

One million people die every year from mosquito-borne diseases. Private researchers and government agencies collect and test mosquitoes to monitor and reduce disease transmission. However, current mosquito research traps lack data-sensing capabilities and have not seen substantial upgrades to the trapping processes. These leave researchers with inefficient means of collection, as well as excessive costs from carbon dioxide production.

The team developed two prototypes: one for a professional-grade mosquito trap and another, more cost-effective, trap intended for widespread use in civilian communities. They designed the traps to include an array of data collecting sensors to automate and improve the quality of research. Additionally, many mosquito research agencies use expensive dry ice used to produce carbon dioxide to attract mosquitos. The team replaced this with a system that safely produces carbon dioxide by burning propane.