Today, the world is experiencing rapid environmental change and the inadvertent spread of invasive pests and vectors via economic and migratory pathways. In this setting, effective and sustainable management of arthropod vectors is a perplexing problem for global public health, particularly for local populations in poorer nations with limited access to competent diagnoses, prevention, and treatment of infectious illnesses.
The number of mosquitoes- and tick-borne illnesses is increasing. Despite decades of rigorous research, Culicidae continues to play an essential role among vectors of medicinal and veterinary interest. Malaria’s impact in tropical and subtropical areas is generally acknowledged. In this context, it has resulted in 6.8 million lives saved globally since 2001, even though the recently introduced malaria vaccine only provided temporary protection. Malaria instances, including fatalities, have also been reported in European nations. So, Should be focused on commercial use for mosquito and tick control, lets’s find out in detail.
Mosquito And Tick Control – Towards A More Environmentally Friendly Future?
There are various control methods to effectively manage mosquito populations, including traditional applications of chemical pesticides and microbial pesticides, widespread use of long-lasting insecticidal nets, and indoor residual spraying, which has significantly contributed to malaria decline in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, the research of eco-friendly formulations of innovative insecticides, including nanostructured materials, is gaining traction, as is the use of appealing poisonous sugar baits and eave tubes. Travel medicine has firmly focused on mosquito repellents; however, although this option is helpful for tourists visiting areas with endemic vector-borne illnesses, it is not a long-term solution for local populations living in these areas.
Furthermore, whereas biological control agents have seen a long, progressive reduction in their uses due to the earlier widespread recognition of non-target effects caused by various biocontrol agents, biotechnological technologies are today of great interest. Genetically engineered mosquitos, Wolbachia-based techniques, and the sterile insect technique are examples of the latter.
However, the WHO VCAG believes there is an urgent need to validate the most promising ones using epidemiological evidence. Furthermore, despite rapidly expanding research on “green” mosquito larvicides (e.g., plant extracts, essential oils, bacterial and fungal metabolites), it is important to remember that we don’t recommend them for mosquito control in rural regions.
3 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes and Ticks Away From Public Spaces
I: Creating a Pest-Free Environment
Keeping mosquitoes and ticks away from your house, lawn, rooftop, or business is essential. Whether entertaining friends on your patio, managing an outdoor dining room for a restaurant, or something in between, keeping pests at bay may make or break your visitors’ experience.
Creating a pest-free environment entails minimizing or removing conditions that allow pests to exist and increase. This is a critical component of a successful integrated pest control program.
Simultaneously, it’s pretty simple – there are two measures we recommend you implement right now to assist greatly minimize the summer mosquito and tick population on your property:
- Keep your outside spaces clean and clutter-free.
- Maintain your landscape.
- Remove any standing water.
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, and most pests, including mosquitoes and ticks, use untidy vegetation as a resting and nesting site. Taking the methods outlined above will make your home less appealing to nuisance insects, reducing their number.
In addition, the following preventative practices will help minimize the number of mosquitoes and ticks in your area:
- Mosquito Dunks: Removing standing water is the most effective technique to reduce mosquito populations. Having a birdbath or a little outside pond is not always possible. If you don’t want to get rid of standing water, treat it with mosquito dunks. These are little, dissolvable tablets that contain BTI, a naturally occurring form of bacterium that kills mosquito larvae developing in water.
- Fish: Introducing fish that eat mosquito larvae is another method of disrupting the mosquito life cycle and controlling populations. Koi, golden orfe, goldfish, minnows, and mosquitofish are all mosquito-repellent fish.
- Plants: Several plants and flowers can repel mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. These plants’ natural oils, including citronella, can help keep pests away. Other examples include Mint, basil, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, sage, chrysanthemums, marigolds, petunias, geraniums, and floss flowers.
Implementing some of these measures may offer your place the modest approach to mosquito and tick protection required this summer.
II: Introducing IPM
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a pest-prevention technique that utilizes fewer chemicals. Recently, public schools have been successfully integrating IPM concepts, reducing the occurrence of exposure to pathogen-carrying insects and the often fatal illnesses they can convey.
Installing door sweeps and little brushes placed beneath outside doors has been demonstrated to lower the number of environmental chemicals required to address interior bug infestations. Sealing cracks, repairing water leaks, and storing food in sealed containers reduce population.
Other steps include moving dumpsters and other food disposal containers away from the school and cleaning gutters and runoffs.
III: Keep Mosquito-Repellent Plants
Keeping indoor mosquito repellent plants is a simple technique to eliminate insects. You may maintain these plants in your room or on your desks to keep mosquitos at bay.
Some of these plants repel mosquitoes and other pests like mice. Because these plants are often smaller, you must keep them indoors to prevent mosquitoes at home.
Marigolds, tulsi, lemongrass, citronella (which likes cooler regions), mint, and catnip are some indoor mosquito repellant plants.
EndNote
While there are many things you can do to keep summer mosquitoes and ticks at bay, working with a professional exterminator may save you a lot of time (and bites) while also increasing your chances of success. Pest control professionals’ knowledge eliminates guessing and allows you to go directly to the most appropriate remedies for your circumstance.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Gnats In The House