MOSQUITO CONTROL

THE SOLUTION

Here, at North Morrow Vector Control District we use an "Integrated Mosquito Management" approch. This method combines surveillance, biological control, source reduction, larval control, and adult mosquito control. Using these management tools in concert is proven to be much more effective than just using one.

Source Reduction Mosquito Control

Source reduction tackles the issue at its core by altering or elminating aquatic larval habitats. It spans various methods, like regulating water levels or irrigation practices, and removing unnecesary water sources. Simple actions, like turning over unused water troughs, buckets, wading pools, or any object holding water for more than 5 to 7 days, can make a big difference.

Mosquito Larvae Surveillance

Mosquito Field Technician checking for mosquito larva in a water source. — Checking for mosquito larvae in a water source.

NMVCD field technicians are pretty on top of it. they survey mosquito breeding sites using a tablet loaded with county maps and markers for known hotspots. Any survey data and treatments get recorded directly onto the tablet for each site.

Biological Mosquito Control

small fish — Gambusia affinis A.K.A. "mosquito fish"

Gambusia affinnis (mosquito eating fish) are small but mighty, they can flourish in a wide range of temperatures and locations. They are silvery in color, but may adjust over time to better merge with their habitat. Gambusia range in size from 1 to 3 inches. They have a hearty appetite for mosquito larvae, consuming several each day.

Larval Mosquito Control

May contain: grass, plant, pond, outdoors, nature, water, photography, glove, clothing, hardhat, helmet, portrait, person, head, face, hiking, leisure activities, adventure, and shorts — NMVCD Field Technician applying granuals to a mosquito breeding site.

Involves utilizing the application of products that are specifically targeted to the immature mosquito larvae or pupae. The products that we use are called larvicides and are classified as either bacterial, spinosyns, or insect growth regulators.

Bacterial larvicides use mosquito-specific bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) being most common, that, once ingested, produces proteins that disrupt the midgut of mosquito larvae.

Spinosyns use Spinodad, a toxin produced from the fermentation of soil bacteria which interferes with the larva's nerve function.

Insect growth regulators, primarily S-Methoprene, release hormones that prevent mosquito larvae from progressing to the adult stage. These products control mosquito larvae very well, but are not effective against mosquito larva in their pupae stage.

When the control of pupae is needed, surface oils can be used to prevent larvae and pupae from breaking through the water's surface tension and blocks their breathing tubes depriving them of oxygen until they drown.

It's crucial to remember that controlling mosquitoes at their larval stage is far more effective than targeting them as adults.

Larvicides

Adult Mosquito Control

White chevy truck with ULV (Ultra Low Volume) in the bed with two men testing droplet size being dispensed from machine — Before every mosquito season begins, fogging trucks are droplet tested to ensure the products used are performing efficiently according to the label.

The final step in our Integrated Mosquito Management approach is adulticiding or fogging. We trigger this when mosquitoes mature into flying adults.