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breeding
public health
impact
treatment
education
repellents
organizations
request service
breeding
The number one source of mosquito
breeding in urban environments is containers. Most common
containers found breeding are tires, kiddie pools, buckets,
wheelbarrows, flower pot basins, rain barrels, cans, bird baths and
rain spout extensions.
Mosquitoes must have water in order to develop. The eggs are
lain in the water and there they develop into larvae (lar-va). The
larvae feed on organic matter in the water and grow until they reach
the pupal stage. The pupae (pew-pa) shell then breaks open and a flying
adult emerges. The whole cycle can be done in as little as
seven days but usually averages between 7-10 days. The amazing
thing is that they only need a small amount of
water to breed in. It's possible for 1/4 cup of water to produce hundreds
of mosquitoes throughout the summer. By eliminating any
standing water the breeding cycle of the mosquito is broken.
This is the most effective means of control.
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treatment
Several factors effect what type of
treatment will be necessary when addressing a mosquito problem.
Species identification, location of the breeding source,
developmental stage of the larvae and population of nearby residents will
determine what chemical or biological treatment should be used.
Sometimes no control
is even necessary. Larviciding agents used in Cabarrus County come in a
liquid and solid form. The liquid is a
monomolecular film
which is sprayed on the
surface of the water. It works to decrease the surface tension
which inhibits the larvae's air tube from attaching to the surface
to get air. The solid form is a
BTi briquet (often called a mosquito dunk) that
slowly dissolves in the water
where it is ingested by the larvae. It then inhibits their growth
preventing them from developing into
adults. These larvicides are specific to mosquitoes therefore
having very little effect on the environment and other non-target
organisms. Biological control may be
feasible if the area can sustain fish year round. Gambusia are used because they
are native fish that feed on mosquito larvae. They can be a
great solution to some long term problems.
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repellents
The most effective protection from
mosquito bites is a combination of repellent containing the
ingredient DEET (10% max of children; 30% max for adults) and
wearing long shirts and pants. The use of bug zappers,
sin-so-soft,
citronella candles and such are limited in their effectiveness.
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public health impact
Mosquitoes have had a significant
effect on public health throughout history. With
the recent emergence of WNV in the US, arboviruses are once again in the
forefront of peoples minds. These insects are able to transmit
certain diseases from animal to animal and sometimes includes humans
in this cycle. Unfortunately, mosquitoes seek out a blood meal
and there is no way to tell what mosquito is infected and which ones
are not. On the other hand, there are good repellents on the
market and by ridding areas of standing water, breeding sources can
be reduced or eliminated. Combining public involvement and a
local mosquito control program allows for a fairly controllable
environment to monitor mosquitoes and the arboviruses in the
community. A proactive approach is very effective and necessary
for good mosquito control.
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education
Presentations are available upon
request. Literature is also available on a number of
other pests and animals including rats, fire ants, cockroaches,
ticks, fleas and
mores. Call for requests.
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organizations
mid-atlantic mosquito control
association
north carolina mosquito & vector control association
state public health pest management program
national pesticide information center
centers for disease control
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