Scientific Study* Concludes Mega-Catch™ Premier is Best-Performing Mosquito Trap - Even Without Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

MIAMI LAKES, Fla., June 8 PRNewswire-FirstCall

The MegaCatch(TM) Premier Mosquito Trap, even without the use of carbon dioxide (CO2), which up until this point has been marketed as the primary consumer standard for effective mosquito control, out-performed eight popular mosquito traps sold in the United States that use CO2 as their approach to eradicating mosquitoes.

The study of the 10 mosquito traps* was conducted in early 2004 by Dr. Scott A. Ritchie, Ph.D. (University of Florida) and Dr. Craig R. Williams, Ph.D. (University of South Australia). The MegaCatch(TM) Premier caught 16,120 mosquitoes over a 12-day period compared to its nearest competitor, Mosquito Magnet(R) "Defender" with a total 12-day catch of 5,179 mosquitoes.

"Despite the absence of any carbon dioxide attractant, the MegaCatch(TM) Premier was far more efficacious than most traps that used carbon dioxide," Dr. Scott Ritchie, Ph.D. summarized in an evaluation of 10 commercially available mosquito traps.

An additional study** performed by Dr. Scott A. Ritchie, Ph.D. and Dr. Craig R. Williams, Ph.D. compared the performance of the MegaCatch(TM) "Ultra," which uses CO2, and the Mosquito Magnet(R)*** "Pro," which produces carbon dioxide via combustion of propane (American Biophysics Corporation, U.S.A.). The results confirmed MegaCatch(TM) "Ultra" caught roughly fifty percent more mosquitoes on average per day than the Mosquito Magnet(R) "Pro."

"The MegaCatch(TM) 'Ultra' Mosquito Trap was the best performing mosquito trap in this study. Its physical design, coupled with the presence of carbon dioxide and other chemical and thermal attractants, make it highly effective in catching mosquitoes. In this particular context, it was more successful than the Mosquito Magnet(R)*** "Pro," which is also a very effective mosquito trap," stated Dr. Scott Ritchie, Ph.D. University of Florida.

The MegaCatch(TM) Mosquito Trap uses an octenol scent attractant in combination with an LED light system and a UV light attractant to lure biting insects. Once the insects get close to the unit, they are captured and killed by a catch bag or liquid catch bag. The catch bag effectively dehydrates the insects while the liquid catch bag uses water to drown the insects. Every product comes with both catch options and should be emptied as often as needed.

The MegaCatch(TM) Mosquito Trap's effectiveness can be enhanced by adding CO2, which mimics breath. Quantities of CO2 gas released by the MegaCatch(TM) system can be adjusted between five settings by a simple touch of the Gas Select button on the 24-hour programmable timer. Carbon dioxide gas cylinders can be purchased at various locations. See http://www.megacatch.com for nearest store locations.

"Applica Consumer Products, Inc. maintains consumer credibility through its mainstream, consumer-branded product offerings under the Black & Decker(R)****, LitterMaid(TM), SonicWeb(TM) and now MegaCatch(TM) brands. The results of this study confirm our commitment to consumers who have come to rely on us for reliable, consumer-friendly solutions for in and around the home. And, because of this, we feel we can offer greater consumer confidence in the pest control arena than other manufacturers," commented Pete Meister, General Manager, Pest Products, Applica Consumer Products, Inc.

The full report is available online at http://www.megacatch.com. The MegaCatch(TM) Mosquito Trap Line: 1. Has been tested at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) test facilities. 2. All units can remain outside 24/7 and will not be damaged by wet or foul weather, and unlike citronella candles and CO2 machines, wind and weather patterns do not affect the coverage area.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: -- $499 - $699 -- MegaCatch(TM) Mosquito Trap

AVAILABILITY: -- Hammacher Schlemmer, http://www.megacatch.com and other online retailers

WARRANTY: -- One-year warranty and U.L. listed.

APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC. PEST CONTROL PLATFORM:

LARGE AREA ATTRACTANTS -- MegaCatch(TM) Mosquito Trap -- Light & sound technology combine to attract and then trap mosquitoes and provide maximum coverage with minimal maintenance. -- SonicWeb(TM) Biting Insect Control -- Sound technology system covers up to an acre; attracts and traps mosquitoes and biting insects.

PERSONAL PORTABLE SYSTEM -- Black & Decker(TM)**** Mosquito Halo(TM) Mosquito Inhibitor System -- Scent and sound combination system for smaller and personalized coverage.

ULTRASONIC REPELLERS -- Black & Decker(TM)**** Electronic Pest Repellers -- Indoor wall outlet plug-ins that emit low frequency sound to repel mice, roaches and spiders. -- Weitech Ultrasonic Pest Repellers -- Indoor wall outlet plug-ins that emit low frequency sound to repel mice, roaches and spiders.

Applica Consumer Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Applica Incorporated (NYSE: APN), markets and distributes small household appliances, pest control products, home environment products, pet care products and professional personal care products. Applica markets products under licensed brand names, such as Black & Decker(R)****, its own brand names, such as Windmere(R), LitterMaid(R), SonicWeb(TM) and Applica(TM), and other private- label brand names. Applica's customers include mass merchandisers, specialty retailers and appliance distributors primarily in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

* The study was conducted in early 2004 at the Cairns City Council Waste Transfer Facility in Smithfield, a suburb of Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia. Products tested include: MegaCatch(TM) Premiere (EnviroSafe Technologies, NZ), MegaCatch prototype (experimental model only), Mosquito Magnet "Defender" (American Biophysics, Corp.), Dragonfly (Biosensory Inc., U.S.A.), Mosquito Power Trap MT 200 (Flowtron, U.S.A.), Lentek Mosquito Trap (Lentek, U.S.A.), Skeeter Vac SC1000 (Blue Rhino Corp., U.S.A.), Mosquito Deleto 2200 System (Coleman, U.S.A.), Sonic Web (Applica, U.S.A.) and Lentek "Ecotrap" (Lentek, U.S.A.).

** The tests were conducted in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia to compare the performance of the two mosquito traps in the public consumer market that are thought to be the most effective by the researchers conducting the tests: the MegaCatch(TM) "Ultra" and the Mosquito Magnet "Pro" (American Biophysics Corporation, U.S.A.).

*** Mosquito Magnet(R) is a registered trademark of American Biophysics Corporation North Kingstown, RI, U.S.A.

**** Black & Decker(R) is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation, Towson, Maryland, U.S.A..

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Chris Mitchell 203-877-0025 c.mitchell@linkmc.net

Heather Colby 203-877-0545 h.colby@linkmc.net

SOURCE Applica Consumer Products, Inc. Web Site: http://www.megacatch.com