Distribution

Mosquitoes are ubiquitous pests, found in almost every climate type on Earth, from polar regions to the tropics. They can survive harsh winters or dry seasons depending on their location. Depending on the species, they can be seen breeding in all kinds of water sources, from heavily polluted water to clean water, from small puddles in tin cans to pools and streams. Transportation systems such as boats and aircraft increase and support the spread of mosquitoes, and in this way, they have spread to new areas. Even disease-carrying mosquitoes have been transported to temperate climates, where they spread tropical diseases.

Why Should They Be Controlled?

Although they are a seasonal nuisance in colder climates, they can be major carriers of diseases in tropical climates. They can transmit many diseases to both humans and animals, such as malaria, elephantiasis, yellow fever, encephalitis and dengue fever. It is stated that only a few mosquito species are carriers of human diseases. Disease-carrying mosquitoes use humans as their primary host and also enter homes to suck blood, which is the most important factor.

Control Methods

An adult mosquito usually does not live more than a few weeks. However, a female mosquito can lay eggs many times throughout her life, laying hundreds of eggs each time. Mosquito control methods can target larvae or adults.

Larva: Larval habitats can be minimized, especially in urban areas, by closing sewage pipes and canals and removing water-containing containers such as old tin cans or tires. In other cases, physical measures such as ensuring that drainage channels flow freely or emptying stagnant water in building areas will help to reduce the problem. In cases where these physical measures are not possible, larvicides can be applied regularly to the water to kill the larvae before they reach the pupal stage.

Adult: Area sprays using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) or Thermal Fogging methods will rapidly reduce adult populations indoors and outdoors.