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K2 Europe, based in Amsterdam, is the leading K-9 solutions hub serving Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
We provide advanced Red Palm Weevil detection services in Saudi Arabia, supporting both government and private-sector biosecurity programs.
Our mission is to protect people, plants, and agricultural assets, by delivering secure, effective, and cost-efficient Biosecurity solutions. Our regional sister companies help us deliver specialized K-9 services supported by deep expertise in plant and crop protection.
As the leading K-9 Biosecurity provider in the region, we offer innovative solutions and strong experience in protecting plants, crops, and investments.
Invasive insects and transboundary pests are a threat to food security. They destroy crops and infest plants and trees.
Red Palm Weevil (RPW) in particular is currently threatening the palm tree population across North Africa and the Middle East.
Although there are many thermal, acoustic and electronic devices readily available in the market to identify infested trees, none provide accurate early detection.
Although traditionally-trained detector dogs have been efficiently identifying Citrus Green, Emerald Ash Borer and Red Palm Weevil for public and private agencies around the world for decades, they too have been unable to detect pests at earlier stages.
Traditionally, inspectors detect Red Palm Weevil by identifying the chemical signature in the ooze that infested trees release.
However, by this stage the palm tree is already severely diseased and often requires removal.
Early detection is crucial for the survival of the trees and the economic viability of the crop. Through groundbreaking technology and RST innovative training methods, however, our K-9 have conquered the challenge of early detection.
BugVape is a Biosecurity system developed by K2 Europe Biosecurity Division for the early detection of Red Palm Weevil in Date Palm, Ornamental Palm and Oil Palm trees.
Additionally, our R&D department, ICP, developed this system after years of research in collaboration with universities and canine research centers.
K2 Europe developed its training system for detector dogs through the use of Remote Scent Tracing (RST).
As a result, the BugVape K-9 can identify and locate Red Palm Weevil eggs and larvae with over 80% precision.
Moreover, RST technology is science-based and field-proven. This breakthrough method helps countries and farmers locate palm trees and shoots infested with Red Palm Weevil at the egg or early larva stage, enabling faster treatment and preventing further spread.
BugVape’s early-detection system is both accurate and efficient. These K-9 units work remotely and can screen up to 300 palm trees per day, saving time, cutting labor costs, and preventing major agricultural losses.
BugVape technology is a country’s first line of defense against Red Palm Weevil infestation.
Our system allows for the detection of Red Palm Weevil in palm shoots and trees transported on trucks or in shipping containers.
Our method in shipping containers is vital for plant protection in the host country. With BugVape there is no need to unload the container, because detection is achieved through air sampling technology.
Thus, we eliminate the risk of pest transmission to the host country incurred by offloading the container.
BugVape technology allows for the early detection of Red Palm Weevil in all ages palm trees in the field.
The efficiency and accuracy of the BugVape method saves individual trees and enhances the quality of the crop.
Farmers are able to decrease the amount of pesticide used during the season, as only the individual infested trees are treated.
BugVape Technology enables farmers to block the spread of Red Palm Weevil to healthy trees in the field by early detection in the nursery.
Our trained K-9 will inspect palm shoots and make sure they are Red Palm Weevil free, before they are purchased, thus protecting your field while securing your investment.
K2 Europe’s ICP center, in collaboration with the scientific community, is working relentlessly to expand the scope of the BugVape system.
Through the use of Remote Scent Tracing technology, we are gearing towards the early detection of multiple local and transboundary pests in order to provide countries and farmers with a comprehensive plant protection service.
For service inquiries or demonstrations, please visit our Contact Us
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