Muyabia Labony; Dbarta24 — As traditional insecticides and fogging campaigns struggle to contain the persistent spread of dengue fever across Bangladesh, researchers at Jahangirnagar University (JU) have introduced a breakthrough eco-friendly solution: the “Den-X Trap.”
Developed after nearly five years of rigorous research by a team at the university’s Insect Rearing and Experimental Station (IRES), led by renowned medical entomologist Prof. Dr. Kabirul Bashar, the Den-X Trap leverages the natural breeding behavior of Aedes mosquitoes to disrupt their reproductive cycle without relying on chemical insecticides.
Hararnessing Indigenous Plants to Outsmart Mosquitoes
Unplanned urbanization, climate change, and insecticide resistance have weakened traditional vector control measures in Bangladesh.
Unlike conventional traps that rely on expensive synthetic attractants or complex machinery, the Den-X Trap uses extracts derived from native Bangladeshi plants.
After evaluating over 100 indigenous plant species over five years, JU researchers identified a specific blend of two native plants whose fragrance irresistible attracts female Aedes mosquitoes seeking laying sites.
“This is not a spray or a poison; we are using the mosquito’s own natural behavior against it,” explained Prof. Dr. Kabirul Bashar. “It requires no electricity, batteries, or motors. It is durable, low-cost, and easy to maintain.”How the Den-X Trap Works
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Attraction: Female Aedes mosquitoes are drawn into the trap by the scent of the natural plant-based attractant, mimicking a safe, clean water breeding site.
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Containment: The mosquito lays her eggs inside the trapped environment.
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Prevention: Once the eggs hatch into larvae, the trap’s internal mechanism prevents them from developing into mature adult mosquitoes, effectively halting future generations.
Proven Field Success & Real-World Application
The device has undergone extensive field testing across diverse environmental conditions—including Jahangirnagar University campus, residential neighborhoods in Savar, various urban spots in Dhaka, and the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram.
Design refinements were made based on real-world egg-laying and larval survival rates.
Recognizing its potential, UNICEF has partnered with researchers to deploy the Den-X Trap in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar—an area particularly vulnerable to dengue due to high population density and open water containers.
Researchers emphasize that the Den-X Trap is not meant to completely replace existing sanitation and vector management programs, but rather serve as a powerful, cost-effective, and sustainable component of an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) strategy. A patent application for the technology has already been filed.