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Soneva Fushi Resort on Kunfunadhoo Island aims to be the first mosquito-free, chemical-free resort in the Maldives.
In addition to causing itchy, irritating skin, mosquitoes can also transmit malaria, dengue and zika. Soneva Fushi Resort on the private island of Kunfunadhoo in the Maldives has spent years finding ways to eradicate the pests without using toxic chemicals.
Soneva partnered with a German company to develop an environmentally friendly mosquito trap based on an attractant. "We're looking for a way to control mosquitoes without using chemicals," said Arnfinn Oines, the resort's director of environmental affairs.
Soneva Fushi resort seen from above (Photo:CNN)
Kunfunadhoo Island has a constant mosquito problem. During the annual monsoon season, from May to November, the mosquito population spikes. They have tried various methods, including using mosquito traps and trying to eliminate breeding sites, but have faced many challenges.
Oines said previous mosquito-catching methods such as chemical spraying were discreetly applied by the resort but "certainly caused discomfort" to guests staying there. Moreover, these methods only worked on adult mosquitoes and after a while the mosquitoes became "resistant to the chemicals".
The resort first used the new mosquito control system in 2019, with two different types of traps, more than 500 of them placed around the island. The first type of trap is for mosquitoes that have bitten humans and are looking for a place to lay eggs. The second type is for mosquitoes looking for blood to drink.
Oines said the new method was “unique and effective” in that it mimics human skin and sweat, which “misleads” mosquitoes into flying towards the traps and landing on them. In the first few weeks, the traps caught thousands of mosquitoes a day.
Eco-friendly mosquito traps on Kunfunadhoo Island (Photo:CNN)
In addition to using traps, the resort regularly cleans up fallen tarps, coconut shells, or anything else that might hold standing water—where mosquitoes breed. The anti-mosquito program has been successful. The resort recorded a significant reduction in the island’s mosquito population, by 98 percent in its first year.
“We count the number of mosquitoes we catch every day,” said the resort manager. The number of mosquitoes caught decreases each day and the resort receives positive reviews from regular guests who return year after year.
The new trapping system has also proven to be highly effective in long-term use without causing concerns about mosquitoes becoming resistant to the traps. Since switching to the new, chemical-free method of mosquito capture, native Maldivian insects such as bees and butterflies have flourished.
“These natural pollinators are more abundant, there will be more flowers pollinated and more fruits,” said the island representative. Birds have visited Kunfunadhoo’s shores more, fireflies return at night, creating a romantic and beautiful scene for the island.
A water villa at the Soneva Fushi resort (Photo:CNN)
In addition, the resort also applies many innovations to recycle, conserve energy, and reduce waste in the area. Today, Soneva Fushi is a leading example of development with a luxury but sustainable model in the hotel industry.
The resort is aiming to be the first mosquito-free island in the Maldives, but it doesn’t want to be the only one with the secret sauce. The resort chain has donated the method for making the two traps to the government and is training staff elsewhere to use them.
The mosquito-catching system is currently being deployed at Soneva Jani, a resort on the nearby island of Medhufaru, with similar results. The new Soneva Secret resort, scheduled to open in early 2024, has reported “no mosquito sightings for several months now.”
“It would be great if the whole Maldives could do the same,” said a resort representative.
According to VnExpress