Mosquito Control
Communities and Individuals
A short and efficient way to control and decrease the number of mosquito is to eliminate them in larval stage. This method of mosquito control involves both the community and individuals. To eliminate mosquito larvae, it is important to empty water from containers such as flower pots, birdbaths, pet water dishes, cans, gutters, tires and buckets. Emptying water is very effective for preventing mosquito from breeding around water.
The second way of mosquito control that the community and individuals can do is to decrease mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae by using larvicides. Larvicides are products used to kill mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae before they become adults. There are two types of larvicides which are biological larvicides and chemical larvicides. Biological larvicides are toxin from a bacteria that is harmful and deadly to mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae. Although this larvicide is very not harmful to mosquitoes, it does not harm other organisms around them. Chemical larvicides are insect growth regulators. Chemical larvicides are used directly to water sources that has mosquito eggs, larvae or pupae. If it is used well, larvicides can help to decrease the number of mosquitoes by limiting the number of new mosquitoes that become adults.
Furthermore, controlling adult stage mosquito is important too. Adulticides is a product used to kill adult mosquitoes and it is similar to larvicides. When Adulticides are used well, it can have an immediate impact and decrease the number of adult mosquitoes in the area. Decreasing the number of mosquitoes in both larvae stage and adult stage will decrease of the risk of people getting infected by mosquito borne diseases.
A short and efficient way to control and decrease the number of mosquito is to eliminate them in larval stage. This method of mosquito control involves both the community and individuals. To eliminate mosquito larvae, it is important to empty water from containers such as flower pots, birdbaths, pet water dishes, cans, gutters, tires and buckets. Emptying water is very effective for preventing mosquito from breeding around water.
The second way of mosquito control that the community and individuals can do is to decrease mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae by using larvicides. Larvicides are products used to kill mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae before they become adults. There are two types of larvicides which are biological larvicides and chemical larvicides. Biological larvicides are toxin from a bacteria that is harmful and deadly to mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae. Although this larvicide is very not harmful to mosquitoes, it does not harm other organisms around them. Chemical larvicides are insect growth regulators. Chemical larvicides are used directly to water sources that has mosquito eggs, larvae or pupae. If it is used well, larvicides can help to decrease the number of mosquitoes by limiting the number of new mosquitoes that become adults.
Furthermore, controlling adult stage mosquito is important too. Adulticides is a product used to kill adult mosquitoes and it is similar to larvicides. When Adulticides are used well, it can have an immediate impact and decrease the number of adult mosquitoes in the area. Decreasing the number of mosquitoes in both larvae stage and adult stage will decrease of the risk of people getting infected by mosquito borne diseases.
Wolbachia
Wolbachia is a natural bacterium present in about 60% of different kinds of insects around us. However, this bacteria is not found in Aedes mosquitoes, a mosquito that transmits many pathogens such as dengue and zika virus. Recently, Eliminate Dengue Program's research has shown that when Wolbachia gets inside Aedes mosquito, it can stop viruses from growing inside the mosquito's body. By stopping the growth of viruses inside the mosquito's body, it can prevent viruses being transmitted to humans. This is an important discovery that can fight against infectious diseases.
Wolbachia is a natural bacterium present in about 60% of different kinds of insects around us. However, this bacteria is not found in Aedes mosquitoes, a mosquito that transmits many pathogens such as dengue and zika virus. Recently, Eliminate Dengue Program's research has shown that when Wolbachia gets inside Aedes mosquito, it can stop viruses from growing inside the mosquito's body. By stopping the growth of viruses inside the mosquito's body, it can prevent viruses being transmitted to humans. This is an important discovery that can fight against infectious diseases.