Repelling mosquitoes

“Thursday, July 10, 2003 Posted: 5:29 PM EDT (2129 GMT)

SEOUL, Korea (Reuters) -- South Korea's top mobile phone operator is offering a new service that allows cellphone users to download a sound it says repels troublesome mosquitoes.

The sound should be capable of clearing the insects within a range of one meter, said SK Telecom Co, which claimed it had worked during tests.

Mosquitoes are a common irritant during the hot, humid summers in Korea.

Subscribers will be able to download the sound, which will cost 3,000 won ($2.54 US), via the firm's wireless Internet service from Monday. The sound plays constantly and is faintly audible to the human ear.

Repelling the bugs will use up to 30 percent more of the phone's battery power, said SK.”

“When we lived in Fairbanks, we had a little gadget that buzzed "like a dragonfly" and was supposed to keep them off of the baby, but it didn't work very well.”

“I see where the folks at OFF! are using West Nile scare tactics to sell their mosquito lanterns.

Slimy bastards.”

“I’m looking forward to West Nile. Build up that old immune system to fight off that supper flue.”