The Ukrainian startup Mosquito Control Ltd (SEMCS) has developed an environmentally friendly and smart, sustainable system for mosquito control in the B2C, B2B and B2G markets.
The Kyiv-based company has developed a product that almost completely eliminates mosquitoes outdoors in a targeted area ranging from a quarter to a full mile. The SEMCS device attracts female mosquitoes with a unique luring system based upon mosquitoes’ instincts that effectively emulates how the insect is drawn to humans.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are among the deadliest animals in the world. They are directly responsible for millions of human deaths each year. Zika, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, malaria and West Nile virus are some of the infectious diseases carried by mosquitoes to humans.
Today most outdoor mosquito control efforts are focused on the use of sprayed pesticides which can have an adverse environmental impact. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved some pesticides for residential spraying. The agency says they are generally safe when used properly, but emphasizes that any chemical spray poses some risks. Insect repellent and various electronic devices (“bug zappers”) are also used outdoors to control mosquito populations.
“The global market including insecticides, repellents, electronic devices and mosquito control services was an estimated $31.9 billion by 2022” according to SEMCS CEO Anastasiia Romanova. “Our major competitors are in pesticides and that’s something people are familiar with using.” The key advantage that SEMCS has over pesticides besides being eco-friendly is a cost-effectiveness.
Mosquito Control had the opportunity to exhibit at the CES 2020 show in Las Vegas in the UA Tech section organized by the Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (UVCA) and CRDF Global. “I believe more than 700 people stopped by our booth”, said Romanova. The company was able to collect some very valuable market research there as well as important prospects for the distribution of their SEMCS product.
SEMCS was developed to change the existing market culture and introduce a non-chemical approach to address mosquito problems. The system was tested in Ukraine and Florida. New trial tests are underway in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S., Jamaica and India.
While the product is in small scale production now, it is anticipated that a major commercial rollout will take place in the next six months.
You can listen to a recent podcast interview with Anastasiia Romanova on Made in Ukraine Tech Startup Edition.
