The entry of insects into food industry and shops is considered a negative aspect because in contact with food products, they can transmit diseases. These diseases, known as "vector-borne", account for more than 17% of infectious diseases globally.

How to combat this problem successfully? The least invasive way to prevent insect infestation is to restrict their access in buildings with air curtains, rather than eliminating them with electronic insect control devices, traps or pesticides, which can be harmful to humans and Earth.

Aim of the study

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness against insects of an air curtain installed at the entrance of an indoor space. The aim of the study was not to explore the technological parameters that can ensure the optimal efficiency of air curtains.

Rather, it has been to test the possible deterrent effect of an air curtain against large, kinetically energetic flying insects such as the honey bee. Flying insects stop their flight when they cannot compensate for the air speed (wind or jet of the air curtain).

Procedure

The experiment was carried out to study the behaviour of a colony of 7,500 bees placed in an enclosed space of 8 x 20 metres. An open container with an air curtain at the entrance was placed inside and food was placed inside to attract the insects.

The bees learned where the food source was (with the air curtain stopped). The air curtain was then tested when bee activity was very high. The experiment consisted of measuring the number of bees accessing the food on two different days. The first day without the air curtain and the second day with the air curtain in operation and progressively increasing the speed of the air jet.

Results and conclusions of the "anti-insect air curtain" effect

The results show that an airflow velocity of 7.25m/s prevents insects from entering a building. The air curtain can prevent 99.9% of insects from entering food establishments, resulting in a more comfortable, cleaner and safer experience for users. It prevents the transmission of infectious diseases caused by insects as an alternative to current chemical systems.

Authors of the article:
The study was carried out by Guillaume Kairo, Maryline Pioz, Sylvie Tchamitchian, Michel Pelissier, Jean-Luc Brunet and Luc P Belzunces in INRA, Laboratoire de Toxicologie Environnementale, UR 406 Abeilles & Environnement, Avignon, France. Published online in Wiley Online Library: 22 July 2018.

Source - bibliography
Guillaume Kairo, Maryline Pioz, Sylvie Tchamitchian, Michel Pelissier, Jean-Luc Brunet and Luc P Belzunces. (2018). Efficiency of an air curtain as an anti-insect barrier: the honeybee as a model insect. Wiley Online Library. Society of Chemical Industry. Pest Manag Sci 2018; 74 2707-2715. DOI 10.1002/ps.5090.