Pune-based startup product Eco BioTrap is making news lately with its innovative approach to creating mosquito-free and healthier communities. Earlier this year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) joined forces with the Bio Group to combat mosquito-related challenges in Dharavi, which is the largest slum in Asia.
The Eco BioTrap stands out for its ability to target vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. It resembles a simple bucket or pot and requires users to add water while strategically placing it in mosquito-infested areas. What makes it unique is its use of an attractant that mimics female mosquito breeding grounds. After mosquitoes lay eggs inside the trap, an approved insecticide called an insect growth regulator (IGR) ensures that no adult mosquitoes emerge, effectively breaking the breeding cycle.
Mosquito-borne diseases are a global concern, with the WHO estimating that half of the world’s population is at risk of dengue, resulting in millions of infections annually. India, in particular, faces significant challenges, with millions of malaria cases and deaths reported. Prasad Phadke, CEO of EcoBio Group, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues and highlights the Eco BioTrap’s eco-friendliness and user-friendliness as key advantages. It also stands out as an electricity-free solution.
Eco BioTrap’s success lies in its use of recycled corrugated boxes, the same material used for e-commerce deliveries. While egg trays can’t hold water for long, Eco BioTraps can retain water for weeks. A sachet within each trap contains the attractant and insecticide, ensuring that female mosquitoes preferentially lay eggs inside the Eco BioTrap. These traps are biodegradable, emit no toxic fumes, and offer a promising solution to the escalating global mosquito problem, which experts warn will worsen with climate change. In essence, Eco BioTrap exemplifies how startups can drive positive change, offering hope for mosquito-free communities worldwide.
