Fighting Mosquito-Borne Diseases with Science, Sustainability and Global Innovation
As climate change accelerates the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, Envu is advancing nature-positive solutions that protect people, ecosystems and global public health.
The Current Crisis and the Urgent Need for Innovation
Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal, responsible for more than a million deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization, malaria alone causes approximately 608,000 deaths annually and affects around 249 million people — 96% of whom are in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue, a painful and sometimes deadly viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes, infects an estimated 100 to 400 million people each year and places nearly half the world’s population at risk.
As climate change accelerates and urbanization reshapes ecosystems, these diseases are appearing earlier in the calendar year, spreading faster and proving harder to control. Warmer temperatures are shortening mosquito life cycles, increasing biting frequency and expanding breeding seasons. In July 2025, Zimbabwe’s health ministry reported a devastating resurgence of malaria. In just six months, cases surged more than 180% and deaths more than tripled compared to the previous year — reaching 334 by late June. Experts called it a return “with a vengeance,” fueled by above-normal rains, disruptions in mosquito net distribution, and the withdrawal of critical foreign aid that previously supported research and vector control efforts.
These challenges call for a new era of innovation — one where science, speed and sustainability go hand in hand. Envu is answering that call. With a singular focus on environmental science and a deep commitment to healthy environments, Envu is delivering mosquito management solutions that are as effective as they are environmentally responsible.
Who Is Envu?
Envu is a global leader in environmental science, founded in 2022 with a singular purpose: to advance healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. Formerly Bayer’s Environmental Science division, Envu now operates independently in more than 100 countries with over 1,000 employees, four global innovation hubs and a portfolio of 250+ trusted brands. We serve professionals across eight key industries where society and nature intersect, ranging from mosquito and pest control to vegetation management, forestry and urban green spaces.
“Our customers play an important role in environmental stewardship and protecting public health and communities every day,” said Gilles Galliou, CEO of Envu. “To be successful, they need innovative tools that work in diverse conditions, minimize impact to pollinators and ecosystems, and continue to evolve as threats from invasive pests and diseases evolve.”
Raising the Bar: New Solutions for Modern Mosquito Challenges
The last 12 months have seen several major advances in the Envu mosquito management portfolio — advances that illustrate our unique innovation model and environmental science expertise. In early 2025, Envu launched Barricor® Essential Mosquito Control, a FIFRA 25(b)-classified botanical product with the unique positioning: “Safe for everything except mosquitoes.” Formulated with essential oils like thyme, cinnamon, clove and sesame — each of which delivers insecticidal and repellent properties through multiple modes of action — Barricor Essential Mosquito Control is a pollinator-safe spray that’s gaining attention for its stability, performance and ultra-low toxicity profile. The product also marks a major company milestone as the first new U.S. patent awarded to Envu since launching as an independent company. “This is the future of sustainable mosquito control,” said Arunas Damijonaitis, Envu Solutions Development Leader, Pest Management and Public Health, who presented peer-reviewed research about essential oil-based insecticides at the 2025 International Conference on Urban Pests (ICUP). “The strong interest we received at ICUP reflects what we’re seeing across the industry: a growing demand for biological and plant-based tools that are not only viable, but also essential for the future of urban mosquito management.”
Expanding Impact With In2Care
The recent acquisition of In2Care®, which closed in January of this year, marks another major step forward for Envu in advancing nature-positive mosquito control. In2Care is best known for patented InsecTech® technology, which leverages mosquito behavior by turning them into carriers that spread biocides to breeding sites. This approach not only reduces populations without the need for broadcast spraying, but also helps combat resistance to traditional insecticides by enhancing biocide effectiveness.
“We’re seeing huge growth in demand for nuisance mosquito control, particularly in private residential markets,” said Stephanie Lyons, Head of Portfolio Management. “The In2Care Mosquito Station answers that need with a highly visual, leave-behind solution that reassures customers and continues working between service visits. And, when used in combination with products like Barricor Essential Mosquito Control or Suspend® PolyZone insecticide, it becomes part of a more powerful, integrated program for controlling mosquitoes in a sustainable way.” Regulatory approvals are underway to expand the In2Care mosquito station’s availability worldwide, and the team is already exploring new applications beyond mosquitoes. “The next step involves collaboration and innovation to make the technology more accessible and adaptable,” said Bernard Jacqmin, Head of Global Innovation. “The goal is to further develop the technology, extend its applications beyond mosquitoes and prepare it for broader use.”
These efforts include partnerships with external organizations like Indiana University-Bloomington, where Envu is co-developing a nature-positive alternative to chemical methods for mosquito management — reinforcing the company’s commitment to scaling practical, science-based innovations globally.
A Model Built for Complexity
Innovation at Envu is not one-size-fits-all. The company invests in multiple R&D pathways, including in-house formulation science, academic research collaborations, commercial partnerships and strategic acquisitions. This model enables Envu to respond quickly to emerging threats and adapt solutions for diverse geographies and use cases.
At Envu, we’re not just producing products — we’re solving problemsFor mosquito control, that means understanding how local ecosystems are changing, how communities are being affected, and how we can develop and deliver nature-positive innovations that are both practical and responsible. That’s what being a force with nature truly means.
Learn more about innovation at Envu: https://www.envu.com/solutions/innovation