When Japan identified its first local case of dengue in 70 years last month, it became the latest in a string of countries to battle the tropical fever. The most likely importers of the disease: international travelers.
A type of mosquito called aedes albopictus probably got the virus through people arriving from overseas, and infected others, according to Japan’s health ministry. The number of reported cases in the country surpassed 100 last week.
New bug app proclaiming the abilities to drive away pesky mosquitoes through emitting high-frequency sound out of users’ smartphone speakers are popping up everywhere in Apple app store and Google Play.
One such app, Anti Mosquitoes Ultro Pro says it can “turns your phone into an Ultrasound device, sending high-pitch 12-22 KHz waves to keep Mosquitoes and other nasty insects away”
Another app, Anti Insect PRO, claims that it “is the world’s most advanced app to repel insects!It provides a true protection against mosquitoes, flies, spiders, termites and ants.”
And there are so many more….
Reviews are mixed, ranging from “It Works!” all the way to “It Sucks!”…right next to that mosquito.
Experts say they should be thought of as garbage.
“The mosquito repulsion by sound scam has been around for decades,” Jonathan Day, a professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida, wrote in an email.
“High-frequency sound waves do not repel biting flies. The best deterrent is to avoid mosquitoes, control mosquitoes in and around the home, cover skin with breathable fabrics that prevent mosquito blood feeding and, when all else fails, use a repellent that provides at least one hour of protection with each application.”
Tim Hornyak from PC World sums it up best:
The plethora of mosquito apps on iTunes and Google Play would seem to violate the guidelines for the sites, which prohibit false advertising.
Apple and Google did not respond to requests for information about their policy in such cases.
Meanwhile, most Tokyoites are waiting for a surefire mosquito killer to quash the threat of dengue—the coming of winter.