| [June 21, 2004] |
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Mosquito Activity Forecast Provides Up-to-the-Minute Mosquito 'Buzz'; The Weather Channel & American Biophysics Corp. Provide Hourly Mosquito Activity Updates
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. --(Business Wire)-- June 21, 2004 -- Ready, set, bite! With the first day of summer and National Mosquito Awareness Week kicking off today, the annual battle cry and relentless attack of mosquitoes has begun. Now, for the first time ever, people who want to comfortably spend time outdoors can be prepared to fight biting insects with the help of the Mosquito Activity Forecast on weather.com(R) (www.weather.com/homeandgarden).
The Mosquito Activity Forecast is the companies' first and only geography-specific gauge that determines how active mosquitoes are in a particular area and it is available to consumers online, 24-hours a day. Developed and managed by a team of expert meteorologists from The Weather Channel, and sponsored by American Biophysics Corp., manufacturer of the Mosquito Magnet(R) Advanced Mosquito Defense System(TM), the Mosquito Activity Forecast provides hourly predictions of mosquito activity based on weather conditions such as temperature, rainfall patterns, wind, and humidity.
"Mosquito season is starting to heat up and already the Mosquito Activity Forecast is a very popular area within our Home and Garden section," said Tom Flournoy, vice president of product management for weather.com. "We are thrilled to be able to provide such a valuable tool to people throughout summer."
The Mosquito Activity Forecast is easy to use - visitors simply type in their zip code to view a chart that shows the forecast in their area, by hour, for the next 24 hours. The predictions range from "None" to "Very High" mosquito activity and are intended to help users prepare and protect themselves from mosquitoes and biting insects. When activity levels are "High" or "Very High." Mosquito Alerts are also posted on relevant weather.com forecast pages and locally enhanced TV spots will air on The Weather Channel network indicating "Limited" to "Very High" levels in affected areas.
"Our goal is to help consumers enjoy the summer by preventing mosquitoes and other biting insects from impacting their lifestyle," said Robert Howland, vice president of sales and marketing, American Biophysics Corp. "We want people to take back their yards from mosquitoes. One of the most important things people can do to combat mosquitoes is to have up-to-the-minute information on mosquito activity in their area. The Mosquito Activity Forecast makes this possible."
An Ounce of Prevention
As temperatures rise across the United States and heavy rainfall continues in many regions, mosquito levels are at an all-time high in many areas and activity is expected to remain high throughout the summer. People need to stay informed because increasing levels of mosquito activity pose not only a nuisance, but also a health threat. Experts are predicting another record year for mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, across the United States. In fact, the first human cases of West Nile virus have already been reported this year, months earlier than last year's first cases.
Logging on to the Mosquito Activity Forecast to understand the mosquito activity level in your area is the first step in proactively combating mosquitoes. Preparation is key! Consumers can take the following precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes and other biting insects during the warm summer months:
-- Clean up the back yard: Clear standing water from potential mosquito breeding sites including birdbaths, flowerpots, rain gutters and garbage cans.
-- Make minor repairs: Repair window and door screens to keep out mosquitoes and other biting insects.
-- Implement a long-term solution: Scientifically proven Mosquito Magnet(R) traps provide homeowners with 24-hour protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Mosquito Magnet(R) traps are designed to operate 24-hours a day, virtually eliminating mosquito problems by disrupting their breeding cycles. They are most effective if started and run continuously once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
For more details on Mosquito Magnet traps, visit www.mosquitomagnet.com or call toll-free 877-699 TRAP (8727).
About American Biophysics Corp.
American Biophysics Corp., founded in 1991 and headquartered in North Kingstown, RI, is a biotechnology company that uses science and innovation to develop and manufacture practical applications for new technologies that address biting insect problems around the world. Ranked America's fastest growing private company by Inc. magazine, American Biophysics is the creator and manufacturer of the Mosquito Magnet(R) product line, the world's original and only scientifically proven Advanced Mosquito Defense System(TM) that virtually eliminates mosquito problems in a defined area by dramatically reducing biting insect populations.
About The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel, a 24-hour weather network, is seen in over 87 million U.S. households. Its Web site, weather.com, attracts 25 million unique users per month and is consistently ranked among the Top 15 of all Web sites by Nielsen//NetRatings. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan, a 24-hour, all-local weather network distributed to almost 7 million households, The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services and is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This includes broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, phones, pagers, Palm Pilots, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based, privately held media company.
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