Controlling the mosquito population is necessary to reduce the occurrence of West Nile virus and such diseases transmitted as a result of mosquito bites. A mosquito goes through four stages of development -- egg, larva, pupa and adult. A wide-ranging program called Integrated Pest Management is generally adopted in California to control and reduce mosquitoes. More than 70 agencies that control mosquitoes protect 85 percent or more of residents of California from mosquitoes.
Important Precautions
California residents are advised to adopt and practice some precautions to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes. When going outside, apply mosquito repellent -- especially at dusk or dawn, when vector mosquitoes are said to be active. Effective repellents are those containing lemon eucalyptus oil, picaradin or DEET. Wear trousers and tops with long sleeves while outdoors. Use screen doors; window screens should be in perfect working condition.
Eliminate Breeding Sites and Harborage Areas
Do not allow stagnant water in and around your house. It's an ideal site for larvae development. Clean rain gutters, drain wading pools and even overturn buckets. Monitor aquariums, flower vases, porches, boats, irrigation control boxes, trash receptacles and recycle bins, which are all potential mosquito breeding grounds. Maintain swimming pools to avoid growth of algae and even mosquitoes. Avoid excess irrigation, maintain irrigation systems and do not allow sprinkler systems from unnecessarily filling up trash barrels. Regularly mow grass and weeds, thin your shrubs, and remove tree bark, leaves and other wastes to help reduce areas of mosquitoes.
Vector Control Agencies and Surveillance
Many federal and state laws authorize public agencies in California to be vigilant and ask them to monitor mosquitoes. These agencies also check diseases such as dengue fever, Rift Valley fever and Japanese encephalitis that are caused by foreign mosquitoes. Agencies keep strict vigilance over mosquito populations and adopt measures to minimize the size of the mosquito population. Use of any non-registered pesticide is not allowed. These agencies record information relating to pesticide applications, dates and locations. Vector control agencies conduct routine surveillance and inspection of stagnant water, and sometimes use mosquito traps.
Integrated Pest Management
Vector control agencies resort to a multi-dimensional approach called integrated pest management that adopts methods such as biological predators, habitat modification and chemical application. Marshes and wetlands are periodically drained and ditching is done to allow water circulation and reduce mosquito incidence. Another technique adopted in California is burning down wetland vegetation, such as bull rush and cattail, to eliminate dead vegetation and allow free movement of water. California agencies rear fishes that consume mosquito larvae. They also use birds, bats, frogs and many marine invertebrate species for biological control of mosquitoes. Agencies try to maximize the efficacy of pesticides while minimizing their use.
Controlling Larvae and Adult Mosquitoes
To control growth of larvae, these agencies infuse certain bacterial products in water. They use surface agents to suffocate young mosquitoes as the film of mineral oils spreads and clogs their breathing tubes. They dissolve chemicals such as dimilin and methoprene in water to stall further development of larvae. In California, Temephos is the only approved organophosphate used to destroy larvae. The state resorts to cold fogging or ULV spraying to control adult mosquitoes, and sprays insecticides directly on vegetation or any other surface where the mosquito may land. It uses organophosphates, pyrethroids and pyrethrum as insecticides to eliminate the adult mosquito population.
Tags: adopted California, breeding grounds, control agencies, control mosquitoes, Integrated Pest