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UUnfortunately there is no way to completely eradicate the whole mosquito species throughout our community, however there are ways to cripple and control the mosquito population. In conjunction with the surveillance and prevention control of our Integrated Pest Management Plan, we take in all factors as we go on the offensive to neutralize as much of the mosquito population as possible. This will include actively spraying areas that our surveillance technicians have flagged as a hot spot of adult mosquitoes or an active breeding ground.



Controlling Mosquitoes at the Larval Stage


The greatest impact on mosquito populations will occur when they are concentrated, immobile and accessible. This emphasis focuses on habitat management and controlling the immature stages (egg, larva, and pupa) before the mosquitoes emerge as adults. This approach maximizes the effectiveness of the pesticide application and minimizes the use of widespread pesticide applications utilizing larvacides. Larvicides target larvae in the breeding habitat before they can mature into adult mosquitoes and disperse. SCCMAD only uses EPA approved larvicides, so as not risk the health of our great community or endanger our lands.

Egg and larva interventions are generally the most effective and least costly way to control mosquitoes. However, these interventions are not 100% effective as some mosquitoes such as the Aedes Aegypti, breed in various and scattered locations. In these cases, eliminating or treating all or even most standing water can be nearly impossible. Control efforts will need to supplement the removal of the habitat by other means of control, such as spraying adulticides.


Note:
Community involvement is essential to these interventions, especially in urban areas. Residents, neighbors, and landlords can all be proactive in eliminating standing water or alerting others to its presence. Eliminating even the smallest sources of standing water can have a huge affect in controlling the mosquito population.


Controlling Adult Mosquitoes


Using EPA-registered pesticides is one of the fastest and best options to combat an outbreak of mosquito-borne disease being transmitted by adult mosquitoes. The pesticides registered for this use are known as adulticides. Adulticides are applied either using aerial applications by aircraft or on the ground by truck-mounted sprayers.

Mosquito adulticides are applied utilizing ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers that dispense extremely small droplets over a wide area resulting in a tiny amount of chemicals used over a large area.. The Naled insecticide ULV sprayers utilize roughly 80 microns or less of the adulticide resulting in hundreds of thousands of droplets fitting inside something as small as a thimble. When released from a fogger, these tiny droplets are intended to stay airborne as long as possible and drift through an area above the ground killing the mosquitoes in the air on contact.

In the USA, Naled has been successfully used to quickly reduce mosquito populations. This pesticide has been used for routine mosquito control and following natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods on millions of acres across the USA. Naled was used recently for mosquito control in FL, TX, LA, GA, SC, GA, WA, CA, NV, and in a number of other states. The insecticide is used highly populated metropolitan areas, such as Miami, and in less populated areas.

Naled is effective at controlling Zika, dengue and Chikungunya.


Removing Mosquito Habitats


An important part of mosquito control around homes is making sure that mosquitoes don't have a place to lay their eggs. Because mosquitoes need water for two stages of their life cycle, it's important to monitor standing water sources. Here is a few tips to remember when policing your yard:

  • Get rid of standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate potential mosquito habitats.
  • Drain temporary pools of water or fill with dirt.
  • Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.


Utilizing Structural Barriers


Because some mosquitoes frequently bite indoors, using structural barriers is an important way to reduce the incidence of bites. Examples of structural barriers include:

  • Installation of window and door screens if they are not already in place.
  • Cover all gaps in walls, doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
  • Make sure window and door screens are "bug tight."
  • Completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting. Nets can be especially important for protecting a sick person from getting more mosquito bites, which could transmit the disease to other people.