Abu Dhabi is taking mosquito control to the next level, using AI-powered smart traps that are transforming how the city monitors and manages mosquito populations, and the results are impressive.
Smarter, Cleaner, More Effective
Unlike traditional mosquito traps, Abu Dhabi’s smart traps don’t rely on chemicals. Instead, they mimic human body emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and a chemical scent similar to human skin, to attract blood-seeking female mosquitoes. Once close, a fan draws the mosquitoes into a net, safely trapping them for analysis.
Each trap is equipped with high-precision sensors and wireless connectivity, allowing it to transmit real-time data, including the number of mosquitoes caught, temperature, humidity, and time, to a central cloud-based system.
AI at Work for Public Health
Using artificial intelligence, the data collected is instantly analysed via smart dashboards. This enables mosquito control teams to identify high-risk areas, peak activity times, and how environmental factors like heat and humidity influence mosquito behaviour, all without the need for on-ground chemical spraying.
Game-Changing Results
Since the smart trap network launched in 2020, Abu Dhabi has seen:
- 400% increase in mosquito capture efficiency (from 60 mosquitoes per traditional trap to 240 per smart trap),
- A 42% drop in identified breeding sites,
- Significant improvement in tracking mosquito populations and seasonal trends.
Dubai has Also Installed Smart Traps to Protect Residents
Dubai had earlier this year rolled out smart traps to protect its residents from insect-borne risks.
237 Smart Traps Installed Across Dubai
Dubai Municipality recently announced the deployment of 237 smart traps in key locations across the emirate, forming part of its proactive efforts to improve public health and enhance pest control systems.
The traps have been strategically positioned in:
- Residential and commercial neighbourhoods
- Industrial zones
- Markets and public parks
- Areas near water bodies and public facilities
Powered by the Sun, Driven by Data
What makes these traps truly smart? They run on clean solar energy and provide real-time mosquito activity data. By continuously monitoring insect populations, Dubai’s pest control teams can respond more quickly and accurately, especially during the winter season, when mosquito reproduction spikes due to favorable conditions.
A Unified, Tech-Driven Public Health Strategy
Together, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are setting a regional benchmark in sustainable, tech-powered public health protection. While Abu Dhabi’s network has already led to a 400% improvement in mosquito capture efficiency and a 42% drop in breeding sites, Dubai’s new deployment complements the national push toward smarter, cleaner pest control.
By harnessing innovation and sustainability, the UAE is building safer cities, where data, AI, and clean energy play a key role in protecting public health.
Why It Matters
With climate change, urban expansion, and the rise of pesticide-resistant mosquito strains, smarter, sustainable solutions are essential for protecting public health.
