Throughout its millenary history, man has waged a real war against mosquitoes. At first it was to defend himself from the nuisance caused by them, and then (rather recently) for survival after having realized what diseases they were vectors for. Many weapons have been used in this fight to the death. Unfortunately, some have proven harmful to the environment and to human beings themselves. However, there are some extraordinary ones; the real problem is knowing how to use them well.

In the wide array of methods used to control these insects, any one of these can fully qualify when acting on one specific developmental stage, on several stages without distinction, or preventing the passage from one stage to the next.

Depending on the developmental stage on which they act, the main methods for mosquito control can be attributed to the following categories:

Individual protection
(see repellent products)

any action taken to avoid being bitten
  • using environmental repellents
  • using skin repellents
  • using mosquito nets
  • adopting habits and clothes that do not favor contact with mosquitoes

(see mosquito adulticides)

any action taken to kill adult mosquitoes
  • using chemicals
  • encouraging predators of adult mosquitoes
(see mosquito larvicides)
any action taken to kill or
prevent the development of the larvae
  • using chemicals
  • using bacterial toxins
  • using growth inhibitors
  • using water predators
  • encouraging water predators
  • modifying the air–water interface

Source reduction
(see prevention at home,
in the garden, etc.)

any action taken to prevent the
formation of a larval breeding site
  • avoiding egg laying
  • preventing standing water
  • eliminating breeding sites

As it can be easily understood, the four categories have been arranged in an order of increasing effectiveness. However, it is not always possible to apply the theoretically best methodologies in all situations encountered. In fact, modern mosquito control plans draw their control methods from all the aforementioned categories. This allows them to obtain the best cost/benefit ratio based on the resources made available to them, the current regulations, and the contingent situation that must be faced.

Some basic conditions are necessary for an effective control plan:

  1. knowledge of the species, or species present in a territory;
  2. cartographic survey of the breeding sites;
  3. choice of methods to be used;
  4. competent technical team;
  5. universal collaboration.

All the above has been done by the municipalities who have adhered to the Piedmont Mosquito Abatement Plan where the most suitable interventions are carried out regularly.

Here is what we can all do to prevent the development of mosquitoes in the following situation:

Certain trade categories are then at greater risk of unintentionally hosting larval development sites: this is what they can do.

Last modified: Feb 2021

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