The History of the Mosquito Magnet
The Mosquito Magnet is a product developed to help homeowners rid their yards of mosquitoes without the use of toxic chemicals. Mosquitoes can ruin an evening spent outside of your home, whether you are on the porch or playing a game in your yard. They also can carry and spread diseases, but they can prove difficult to get rid of without the spraying of toxic chemicals. Mosquito Magnet is now used in residential and commercial applications to help reduce the amount of mosquitoes in the area.
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The Founder
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Bruce Wigton, the founder of American Biophysics Corporation, has a background in electrical engineering and has studied at Rhode Island University, Oakland University and Kettering University. When Wigton saw room for improving the methods for eliminating mosquitoes on a large scale, he began to work with members of his company to invent the technology behind the Mosquito Magnet product.
The Company
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American Biophysics Corporation is the company that developed and manufactured the Mosquito Magnet. It initially worked with the United States Army in 1991 to capture mosquitoes. The government was interested in researching the diseases these insects carry, such as malaria and West Nile disease. In 1999, the company's researchers discovered a way to convert propane into carbon dioxide catalytically. Carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes to humans, and the concept was to create a product a mosquito would mistake for a human. The company manufactures the product for use by residential, commercial and government entities. The business, which began in 1991, has its headquarters in Rhode Island as of 2011. In 1997, American Biophysics Corp. became a subsidiary of the company Woodstream Corporation.
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The Product
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Mosquito Magnets work by attracting, capturing and killing mosquitoes. Mosquito Magnets comprise a propane tank and two fans. Working off the knowledge that mosquitoes are attracted the carbon dioxide that humans release, the company uses propane to create carbon dioxide through a patented technology. The fan blows carbon dioxide into the vicinity, and the mosquitoes follow the scent to what they think is a food source. Once they reach the trap, the other fan sucks the mosquitoes down into the net, where they die of dehydration.
The Distribution
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American Biophysics began to distribute their product through a large catalog in 1999, and sales eventually began to increase. Shortly after, the company began to develop other products with a lower price option and was soon distributing throughout large hardware retail outlets. As of 2011, it sells four different Mosquito Magnet models, in either corded or cordless options, throughout a variety of distribution methods. Its products are available through several online retailers, including its own company website (see the link in the Resources section).
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References
Resources
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