VPA 221: Veterinary Entomology and Acarology (1+1)

MOSQUITOES - CONTROL

Immature Stages (Larvae and Pupae)

Managemental practices

• This is done by elimination/reduction of the breeding areas
• Stagnation of water to be avoided –fill up pits with sand
• Removal of vegetations and weeds over the water bodies
• Drains, cess pits etc., to be covered
• Aedes spp. can be easily controlled by covering stored water in buckets or over head tank, water in tree holes can be drained or covered up, proper disposal of tyres and other containers that can hold water and be a potential source for breeding of the mosquito

Biological control

• Use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis –control of Culicines.
• Fishes such as Gambusia, Guppies feed on the larvae of mosquito-useful in control in ornamental tanks 
• Predacious larvae of the mosquito species, Toxorhynchites spp.
• Extracts of Vasambu (Acorus calamus)  

Chemical control

• Spraying insecticides is not recommended in fresh water sources –however the insecticides can be sprayed in sewage, drains etc to control the culicines
• Spraying of paris green (copper acetoarsenite) mixed with kerosene  is a safe larvicide
• Radiation technique e.g. sterile insect technique

Adults

• Use of nets, impregnated nets, repellents on individuals
• Use of insecticides in the form of mats, coils, vapourisers and sprays 
• Currently used insecticides are the synthetic pyrethroids
• For animal sheds malathion can also be used