Mosquito Control
Understand professional vectors suppression methods, including municipal integrated pest management (IPM) systems, chemical sprays, and biological vector control.
Surveillance & Larviciding
Vector Surveillance: Control districts use specialized traps (like BG-Sentinel or gravid traps) to capture mosquitoes. They identify species and test them in labs for active viral pathogens (West Nile, Dengue) to target treatments.
Biological Larvicides: Treating water bodies before larvae hatch is the most efficient control method. Standard biological agents include:
- Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis): A soil bacterium that produces toxins specific to mosquito, blackfly, and fungus gnat larvae.
- Methoprene: An insect growth regulator (IGR) that prevents larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes.
Adulticiding & Biotech
ULV Adulticide Spraying: Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) foggers mounted on trucks or airplanes distribute fine droplets that drift in the air and contact flying mosquitoes directly. Only tiny amounts of insecticide (often pyrethroids or organophosphates) are used per acre to minimize non-target impact.
Advanced Biological Controls: Modern biotech approaches are transforming vector suppression:
- Wolbachia Bacteria: Releasing male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia. When they mate with wild females, the eggs do not hatch, suppressing local populations.
- Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): Releasing male mosquitoes sterilized by low-dose radiation to disrupt mating.