Mosquito control

Main

Mosquito control involves taking steps to reduce mosquito populations in order to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and limit annoying bites. The core idea is to disrupt the mosquito life cycle by eliminating standing water where they lay eggs, using insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes, and preventing bites with repellents or barriers. For example, regularly emptying birdbaths, treating ponds, and spraying around your home can significantly reduce mosquito numbers.

Mosquito control strategies include:

1. Remove standing water to reduce breeding sites

2. Use larvicides like Bti to kill immature mosquitoes

3. Apply adulticides to kill flying mosquitoes

4. Wear repellents to avoid mosquito bites

5. Install or repair window and door screens

6. Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants

7. Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active

Terms

• Adulticide: Insecticides used to kill adult mosquitoes, often applied as sprays or fogs.

• Larvicide: Insecticides used to kill mosquito larvae in water before they become flying adults. Common larvicides include bacteria like Bti.

• Mosquito-borne disease: Illnesses spread by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus, Zika, malaria, and dengue fever.

• Standing water: Still water where mosquitoes lay eggs, like in clogged gutters, old tires, buckets, and bird baths. Eliminating standing water reduces mosquito breeding.

Analogy

Mosquito control is like pulling weeds in a garden. Just as weeds steal nutrients from plants you want to grow, mosquitoes can take over your yard and ruin outdoor fun. And as one weed can spread seeds that sprout into many more weeds, one female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs that quickly multiply into a big problem. Regularly pulling weeds and dumping standing water breaks the cycle.

Misconception

Many people think bug zappers help with mosquito control, but zappers mostly attract and kill beneficial insects like moths, not mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more drawn to the CO2 we exhale. Another common misconception is that mosquitoes are only active at dawn and dusk. While some species are, others bite during the day too. So you need 24/7 protection.

History

1. 1900s: Early mosquito control focused on draining swamps and wetlands.

2. 1940s: DDT pesticide began being widely sprayed to kill mosquitoes, until environmental concerns ended its use in the 1970s.

3. 1980s-1990s: Mosquito control shifted to more targeted spraying of safer pesticides.

4. 2000s: Mosquito-borne West Nile virus and Zika outbreaks increased control efforts.

5. Today: Integrated mosquito management uses surveillance to target control. New methods are being developed like genetically modified mosquitoes and growth regulators.

How to use it

1. Do a weekly check around your property for any standing water and drain it. Clear gutters, flip over items that collect water, and refresh pet bowls and bird baths.

2. If you have ponds, fountains, or rain barrels, use mosquito dunks or bits that contain Bti to safely kill larvae. Treat monthly or as needed.

3. Before outdoor activities, apply EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Use sprays with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Wear long sleeves/pants if possible.

Facts

• Mosquito means "little fly" in Spanish.

• There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide.

• Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth, killing millions each year from the diseases they transmit.

• Only female mosquitoes bite to get protein from blood to produce eggs.

• Mosquitoes can smell human breath from over 30 feet away.