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Mosquito Control MethodsMosquito control project or district personnel use and integrate variety of mosquito management strategies to suppress annoying mosquito populations and protect public health. The strategies typically used in Massachusetts include the following:
Surveillance is a non-chemical inspection method that involves classification of mosquito breeding sites, larval presence and distribution surveys, and adult mosquito biting and trapping surveys, as well as identifying mosquitoes to species. Ditch Maintenance is a physical method that involves cleaning or removing debris and silt from drainage systems such as ditches to maintain previously maintained watercourses to reduce and prevent mosquito-breeding sources or potential habitat. Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) is both a physical and biological method that uses existing features of a salt marsh to create or enhance ponds, pools, and pans to serve as reservoirs for mosquito eating fish and habitat for waterfowl and providing access to allow predatory fish to control mosquito larvae. Larviciding is a chemical method that attempts to control the mosquito in its most vulnerable stage when mosquitoes are confined and localize to prevent the mosquito from becoming adults. Many of the products designed to kill or prevent their emergence are biological materials such as bacteria and insect growth regulators. Also, there are other materials that may be needed such as low impact organophosphates and refined oils that are used to control larvae and pupae. Ideally, this option is preferred because it can reduce the amounts of adulticides used at a later time and the potential exposure to these materials. This approach may include but not be limited to truck mounted equipment and/or the use of aerial application equipment when there is evidence of uniform widespread breeding or in those circumstances involving high populations of mosquitoes as well as public health threats. Catch Basin Management: a targeted larviciding treatment to catch basins and storm drains to control mosquitoes in their aquatic stages and prevent emergence as adult mosquitoes especially the suspected West Nile Virus vector Culex (sp.) that typically breeds in these structures.Adulticiding is a chemical approach when needed to control high mosquito densities and mosquito-borne disease threats. This approach may involve the use of truck-mounted equipment making applications in limited, select areas or aerial application equipment to wider areas especially in the event of public health episodes or emergencies. Biological Control: Placing live mosquito eating fish such as Banded Sunfish in the ditches and ponds to eat mosquito larvae sometimes referred to fish seeding programs. Education: A critical strategy to educate residents of individual member communities of mosquito control projects or districts about topics including but not limited to mosquito biology, control methods, personal protection, and source reduction tactics around homes such as cleaning gutters, removing or puncturing tires, draining wading pools and birdbaths etc. |
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