Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are the flying insects, Only female mosquito bite the humans /animals and suck the blood which is required for egg development, about 300 eggs are ready to lay after each bite. Mosquitoes go through four instars in their lifecycles: egg, larva, pupa, and adult some species female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water; some lay eggs near the water’s edge; others attach their eggs to aquatic plants. Each species selects the situation of the water into which it lays its eggs and does so according to its own ecological adaptations.
Some breeding places like plant pots, unused tyres , plastic covering over roofs , near by places to water leakage tanks, taps..Mosquito control manages the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health, economies, and enjoyment. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice throughout the world and especially in the tropics because mosquitoes spread many diseases, such as malaria and the Zika virus.Depending on the situation, source reduction, biocontrol, larviciding (killing of larvae), or adulticiding (killing of adults) may be used to manage mosquito populations. These techniques are accomplished using habitat modification, pesticide, biological-control agents, and trapping. The advantage of non-toxic methods of control is they can be used in Conservation Areas.
The mosquito species and diseases caused by them are as follows…..
Anopheles spp- Responsible for causing Malaria. Anopheles breeds in stagnant collection of clean water such as ponds, lakes, overhead tanks, underground tanks etc. They laid eggs singly, this mosquito is active in dusk hours.
Culex Spp- Responsible for causing Filariasis, which cause fever and acute swelling of the lymph glands. Culex breed in stagnant collection of polluted water such as drains, gutter septic tanks etc. They laid eggs in cluster, it is common house mosquito and a major nuisance after dusk, baiting heavily, leading to sleepless nights.
Aedes spp- Responsible for causing Dengue and Chikun gunya, Aedese breeds in manmade collections of clean water such as water coolers, pots, old tyres , water cans, empty bottles, flower vessels etc. They laid eggs in mud; this mosquito is day biter with characteristic sharp pain.