Mysuru: Generally, demand for mosquito nets and mosquito killing bats are low round the year. But thanks to the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases in city, demand for mosquito nets and other related products have gone up. And shopkeepers are not complaining.

While there is a steady demand for mosquito coils and repellent sprays during all months as they can prevent cockroaches, shopkeepers say that of late, there are many buyers for mosquito nets and the demand is high since April this year. This apart, demand for fumigation, window meshing services and aluminium insect screens have gone up.

“The dengue scare is so severe that people who get mild fever too think that they have contacted dengue and the family members rush to us for preventive measures. As doctors have said mosquitoes are the prime reason for the disease spread, people are buying nets for their bed rooms and battery-operated mosquito killing bats for other places in their houses,” said Rajesh, a mosquito net dealer in Hinkal.

A good quality double-bed nylon or polyester cotton mosquito net will cost you anywhere between Rs. 700 and Rs. 1,000 with cheaper ones selling between Rs. 300 and Rs. 500, said a trader on Devaraja Market Road.

The demand for mosquito killing bats is so much that even medical shops have started selling them along with the regular coils and repellents. Enterprising youngsters have even started selling them on roadsides and on bicycles.

Earlier, a battery-operated mosquito bat which was available for Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 (with a little bargaining you would get it for further less) is now being sold anywhere between Rs. 250 and Rs. 300. And if it comes with a torch, it will cost you Rs. 400.

“We were selling clothes in other towns and cities and have come to Mysuru as there is a demand for mosquito bats. Each day I manage to sell from 20 to 50 bats and the sales within the heart of the city is high,” said Deepu, who sells these bats on Bogadi Road.