Tag: control

The Future of Mosquito Control

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes and their reputation as a pesky enemy pack a bigger punch than just itchy annoyance. This minute insect is the deadliest creature on the planet. There are three thousand mosquito species, but only two hundred find sucking blood a necessity. Only the adult females bite when they are ready to lay larvae. Some of the most prominent diseases carried by mosquitoes are malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus and other forms of encephalitis. UNICEF estimates that malaria kills a child somewhere in the world every minute and is one of the biggest causes of child mortality. As a disease-transmitting culprit for both man and animal, mosquito control tops the list of imperatives for the future.

Latest Attack Strategies

While eradicating the mosquito might seem like the best thing for the health of the world’s population, it would be virtually impossible to accomplish. Therefore, source reduction and biological elements direct the future of mosquito control. One technique that will continue to provide relief is biological control, or the practice of introducing natural predatory species to eat larval-stage mosquitoes before they hatch. Rivers and lakes filled with mosquito-eating fish, carps and minnows curb the mosquito population but don’t conquer it.

More aggressively, scientists continue to work on a malaria vaccine. With infected mosquitoes causing more than a half million deaths a year, a successful vaccine could distinctly downgrade the threat to humans. But the disease is complex. Current vaccines fight bacterial infections, but triggering the body’s immune system to fight parasites is difficult. Hence, scientists acknowledge it could be decades before the genomes of the mosquito and the malaria parasite can be mapped and an experimental vaccine tested on humans.

Insecticides in the form of DDT and other chemicals have been successful at decreasing the public health risk. But tears of insecticide use have also introduced another complication: insecticide resistant mosquitoes. The BBC reports researchers have linked a family of genes that alerts them to the presence of insecticide resistance. This allows mosquito infested areas to be tested. The tests are expensive, though, necessitating a focus on developing a rapid test. This will allow targeted insecticides to be formulated that skirt the resistance issue and enables cost effective mosquito control management.

Most interesting, work continues to refine and test a sterile insect technique. This is a population control method that genetically alters the male mosquito. Simply speaking, altered males are released into the population and trick the fertile female mosquitoes into breeding. This introduces an engineered genetic sterilization into the offspring and prevents any mosquitoes hatched from becoming adults. Other techniques involve genetically modifying the mosquito to require certain chemicals that aren’t present in the ecosystem so that offspring can’t develop without it. Researchers predict both procedures have the capability to drastically reduce the mosquito population and stop the spread of associated diseases.

Tried and True

New strategies aside, the technology of mosquito control remains a matter of manually gathering mosquito evidence, chemical management and public education. Until other procedures can make inroads to eliminate the mosquito threat, these techniques will continue to form the backbone of an integrated mosquito control program. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a hearty, integrated management of surveillance, reduction, outreach and education, and use of every method at our disposal to control mosquito activity.

Mosquito Control Responsibilities

Even with new developments, the old tips to help keep mosquitoes away will never change:

  1. Mosquitoes breed in water. Empty standing water anywhere around your home.
  2. Stagnant water sources attract mosquitoes. Maintain pools, yard ponds and bird baths.
  3. Be responsible for your personal health and your animals. Use repellants to control bites. Administer approved veterinary medication to protect your animals. Stay indoors during evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are the most active or cover exposed skin.
  4. Finally, support your city’s mosquito control efforts by staying informed about your community’s mosquito issues.

 

Mosquito Control Tips

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes carry more diseases and kill more people than any other animal on earth. That’s why it’s important to learn and use good mosquito control techniques. Following these simple steps will help make time spent outdoors a little more enjoyable for you and your family.

 

Place a Couple of Oscillating Fans on Your Patio or Porch

fan2Fans help in two ways. First, they diffuse the carbon dioxide we exhale, which normally provides mosquitoes with a direct trail to us. When carbon dioxide is scattered, mosquitoes have a harder time zeroing in on its source. And secondly, they make it harder for mosquitoes to fly. Mosquitoes are weak flyers, so they prefer stagnant air. This is why you get more bites on quiet, hot days. Turning your fans on high adds enough difficulty to their flight to lessen your chance of being bitten.

 

 

Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Grounds and Adult Hiding Spots

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOld tires, flower pots, toys, garbage cans, kiddie swimming pools, etc. can collect rain water, and if left untouched, will quickly become a mosquito breeding ground. Be sure to check these often. Ditches and marshy areas can also become a problem, so consider filling them in. Also, keep you grass trimmed. This eliminates a favorite hiding spot for adults.

 

 

 

Treat Pools, Fountains and Bird Baths for Mosquito Larvae.

fishThe best way to treat standing water that can’t be drained is with larvicide. These can be purchased in pellet form from your local hardware store, or in mechanisms called “dunks”, which can be placed in fountains. Larvicides are harmless to fish and other animals, but are very effective at wiping out larval-stage mosquitoes. Regular pool treatment methods help ward off mosquitoes, so keeping up with normal pool maintenance will go a long way in controlling larval-stage mosquitoes.

 

 

Use Repellent While Outdoors.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-mosquito-repellent-insect-repellent-image28799015Mosquito repellents come in several different formulas. The most common – and most effective – are those containing DEET. DEET works both by shutting down mosquitoes’ olfactory ability to sense carbon dioxide and by emitting an odor that is repulsive to them. Another chemical, picaridin, works in much the same way, but has a more pleasing scent and texture to humans. These chemicals have the added bonus of repelling ticks, chiggers and fleas.

If you’re looking to green up your health products supply, check out mosquito repellents that use lemon eucalyptus oil as its main active ingredient. This natural substance works remarkably well and lasts for several hours. Or you can try its synthetic version, PMD. Both are deemed safe for adult use, but should not be used on children under 3.

 

Try Natural Remedies to Keep the Mosquitoes Away

lavenderNatural mosquito control is a popular choice for many. Citronella candles area good solution if you’ll be spending a few hours outdoors during prime mosquito feeding time (early morning and evening). You can also concoct your own anti-mosquito brew using herbs and plants like cinnamon, lavender, garlic, neem oil, rosemary and basil. Simply mix together the ingredients of your choosing and burn them like a candle.

 

 

 

Or Let Nature Take its Course

frogAnother effective solution is to invite mosquitoes’ natural predators into your backyard. The purple martin has become synonymous with mosquito control. This bird feeds on flying insects, but opinions vary on whether it actually targets mosquitoes. Nevertheless, many homeowners erect bird condos to attract them. Bats are also an effective predator. If you can tolerate them, setting up bat houses encourage them to hang around your yard.

On the ground level, try frogs, toads and lizards in a fish pond. Dragonflies will also put a dent in your mosquito population. But perhaps the most effective mosquito predator is the Gambusia Affinis, otherwise known as the “mosquitofish”. This American fish can consume more than 100% of its body weight in mosquito larvae a day. So keep these in your pond for extra protection.