21 Apr Shazam for Mosquitoes is the Perfect App for Mosquito Season

What’s the Buzz about Shazam for Mosquitoes?

Scientists and researchers know that in order to fight mosquito-borne diseases, you need to know which species of mosquitoes are in certain areas. Until now, the only way to identify mosquitoes has been to set traps and study them under microscopes, which can be very time consuming and labor intensive. Named after the “Shazam” app that recognizes music, students from Stanford University have created “Shazam for Mosquitoes,” an app that will be able to identify different species of mosquitoes. The app claims that most common cell phones have the recording capabilities necessary to accurately identify mosquitoes, and knowing the species will determine whether or not it may be carrying a disease.

How Does Shazam for Mosquitoes Work?

A mosquito’s buzz and pitch is responsible for revealing its identity. Each species of mosquito has a unique buzz that comes from its wing beat. By recording the mosquito within a close range, roughly 5 centimeters, your cell phone can tell you what type of mosquito it is. Wait for the mosquito to land and then bring your phone close to it. This may result in the mosquito flying away; however, since it typically takes less than a second for the mosquito’s wings to create its signature hum, the buzz of it flying away is enough to identify the mosquito’s species. Creators of the app claim that it is effective in identifying mosquitoes.

Benefits of the App

The innovative mosquito-detecting app can provide an extremely low-cost strategy for protection against mosquito-borne illnesses. Since it claims to be an easy-to-use tool, everyone around the world, not just scientists and researchers, will have the ability to detect mosquitoes and know when they may be in the presence of dangerous diseases. This can drastically reduce the spread of illnesses, such as the Zika and West Nile viruses. With billions of cell phone users all around the world, the app can lead to a truly global solution, providing endless amounts of data and recordings that can help scientists fight and possibly prevent the diseases carried by mosquitoes.

What’s to Come?

Even though the app is a novel idea and can greatly improve how we fight mosquito-borne illnesses, many people have expressed concern over the reliability of the app. Some scientists claim that the frequencies of a mosquito’s wing beat can vary based on a number of factors, such as the age of the insect, the temperature and humidity. Research is being conducted to determine just how much they affect a mosquito’s sound. Many people are also skeptical of the app’s ability to identify the mosquitoes when there is background noise, which is the main problem that developers are working to overcome. The creators of Shazam are also working to add features, such as information on the type of mosquito it records and what diseases it can potentially carry.

Stay Protected with NET effect

While “Shazam for Mosquitoes” is still being perfected, be sure to keep yourself and your family protected from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases with NET effect insect repellent. Our repellent contains 20% DEET to ensure long-lasting protection from mosquitoes and other insects, such as ticks, biting flies, chiggers, fleas and gnats. Our roll-on applicator lets you be in control of how much you apply and allows for safer application. Once the app is available, don’t forget to use NET effect so you can sneak up on mosquitoes to record them, without them detecting you. Visit our website to purchase your bottle of NET effect today so you’re prepared for mosquito season.