What is the Vortex?

In Asia, to protect crops from nightflying insects, farmers may light small fires around the field. Moths and beetles in particular are attracted to the flames where they are singed and die. Unattended night-time fires are clearly unacceptable in the Australian landscape, but the Vortex is a sophisticated, safe and efficient version of the same principle.

The Vortex can be powered by a small solar panel. A light is located over a tub of water that is agitated to create a vortex. The vortex ensures that insects falling from the light into the water cannot escape by climbing out. Because it is a little indiscriminate, the Vortex is best not located next to native bushland. In a rural landscape located adjacent or within the crop, it can remove enough flying insects to disrupt the local population and significantly reduce pesticide use.