Kao and Earth Corporation venture into insect control technology

Kao Corporation and Earth Corporation share the goal of helping solve the problem of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The collaboration applies Kao’s technology for preventing mosquitoes from flying by wetting their wings and bodies*. Kao and Earth have developed the ARS Mos Shooter, a spray that can eradicate mosquitoes “anytime, anywhere” in everyday life. It will be launched in Thailand from July 2024, where Earth has been active domestically for about 40 years.

Background

Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. Many of those infected are children, and serious cases can result in death. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for dengue fever, therefore it is critical to avoid being bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes and to minimize mosquito outbreaks. Furthermore, it has long been a social issue in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, due to the significant economic burden it entails.

The number of people infected with dengue fever has increased in recent years as a result of global warming and rapid urbanization, which has widened the habitat of mosquitoes that carry the virus, and the number of dengue fever cases in 2023 was the largest ever recorded globally.

Kao has been conducting unique research from an entirely new perspective to protect people from mosquitoes. In 2023, Kao developed a new technology that prevents mosquitoes from flying by wetting their wings and body surfaces, keeping them in a “knocked down” state. Because it does not use conventional chemically manufactured insecticidal components, this approach has the potential to contribute to a wider range of applications.

Earth Corporation founded ARS Chemical (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (now Earth (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) in Thailand in 1980. Earth (Thailand) single-handedly manages development, sales and distribution of, for example, the insect control item brand ARS as a local subsidiary in Thailand. It has grown by learning about the country’s living habits and needs, as well as conducting business with locals. In addition, Earth (Thailand) is collaborating with educational organizations such as the Ministry of Public Health and schools to offer consumer-oriented instructional programs.

Based on the shared goal of solving the problem of mosquito-borne infectious diseases, the companies developed a spray that eradicates mosquitoes from a new perspective. Both Kao and Earth believe that this product will help people living in areas suffering from dengue fever.

About this product

The mosquito eradication spray was commercialized by combining the technology that wets mosquito wings in order to immobilize them.  It uses a trigger that constantly sprays a fine mist, knocking down both flying and hidden mosquitoes. Because it does not contain chemically manufactured insecticidal components, it can be used in settings where the use of insect control products has previously been avoided, as well as in combination with conventional products to provide more comprehensive insect (mosquito) control.

Product features

• A spray that knocks down and eradicates mosquitoes with a fine mist.
• It is effective against both flying and hidden mosquitoes. It can be used anytime and anyplace necessary
• No chemically manufactured insecticidal components
• Active ingredient: Contains lemongrass oil

The product will be launched in Thailand in July 2024.

Earth has been increasing sales of daily necessities that support comfortable living, such as insect control products, in Thailand, and currently has a high market share. It will continue to seek to increase its share in the Thai market by introducing the mosquito eradication spray from a new perspective.