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Almost everybody has been bitten by a mosquito at some point in their lives. Mosquito bites cause skin irritation as a result of reactions to the saliva of the mosquito.

This is what triggers the tingling and red bump. However, certain mosquito bites result in the transmission of diseases and viruses such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, zika, and West Nile virus, which can cause incapacitation as well as other deadly effects like encephalitis, meningitis, and microcephaly. Mosquitos bear diseases that affect humans as well as diseases and viruses that affect animals such as dogs and horses. Eastern equine encephalitis, dog heartworms, and West Nile virus are among these diseases.

MEASURES OF CONTROL

Some ways or methods can be used to control mosquitoes and its spread of deadly diseases. These methods include;

CHEMICAL CONTROL

It is a method that involves the use of chemical insecticides to kill mosquitos by fogging. It can also be applied directly to mosquitos reproducing sites or easing sites either by indoor or outdoor spray to kill the larvae and adults, respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

This is achieved by taking out environmental conditions that could aid mosquitoes’ breeding—altering the environment to make it undesirable and unconducive for mosquitoes to reproduce. Sub-oil drainage is a typical example of environmental control. In this case, drains are buried to ensure that mosquitos do not have access to them because sub-oil drainages are usually a breeding place for mosquitos.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

It involves utilizing parasites, pathogens, predators, and symbionts of mosquitos. The best biocontrol specialist to date is fish and the microbes known as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs). Biological has the benefits of safety to the environment and other non-target organisms, and there is considerably less danger of mosquito resistance developing.

GENETIC CONTROL

This is the use of genetically altered mosquitos to bring about the early demise of larvae or eggs that do not hatch.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

Individuals can be protected from mosquito bites by using repellant lotions, clothing, mat, and mosquito coils.

SOURCE REDUCTION

It is the act of removing and ensuring that items that could breed and serve as mosquito hotspots are excavated. Containers, tyres, incinerators, and waterlogs should all be removed to shy mosquitoes away from breeding. Something that helps a lot is cleaning the property’s canals. When there are leaves, the water does not run and it is one of the main sources of development of the pest.

MOSQUITO TRAPS

There are traps designed for mosquitos such that they attract them by mimicking human breath. These traps are designed with adhesive glue, dehydration, electric zap, or drowning in the case of killing the mosquitos. These traps vary and are designed depending on the circumstance of use, either indoor or outdoor.

Other measures of control, in addition to the methods mentioned above, could involve healthcare education and legislation as they play significant roles in controlling mosquitos.