Mosquito Control - Other Methods

Other Methods

A newer approach to killing mosquitoes in a non-toxic way is to use a device that burns propane, thus generating carbon dioxide, warmth, and water vapor. These three elements, often coupled with a chemical attractant heated in this process, draws the mosquitoes toward the propane flame, where they are then sucked into a net or holder where they collect.

Some newer mosquito traps or known mosquito attractants emit a plume of carbon dioxide together with other mosquito attractants such as sugary scents, lactic acid, octenol, warmth, water vapor and sounds. By mimicking a mammal’s scent and outputs, the trap draws female mosquitoes toward it, where they are typically sucked into a net or holder by an electric fan where they are collected. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, "these devices will, indeed, trap and kill measurable numbers of mosquitoes," but their effectiveness in any particular case will depend on a number of factors such as the size and species of the mosquito population and the type and location of the breeding habitat. They are useful in specimen collection studies to determine the types of mosquitoes prevalent in an area but are typically far too inefficient to be useful in reducing mosquito populations.

The advantage of non-toxic methods of control is they can be used in Conservation Areas.

A traditional approach in control mosquito populations is the use of lethal Ovitrap by providing artificial breeding spots for the mosquitoes but destroying the developing larvae. The latest approach is the automatic lethal ovitrap which works like a traditional ovitrap but automates all steps needed to provide the breeding spots and to destroy the developing larvae.

Scientists have created spermless male mosquitoes and are experimenting with methods of introducing the sterile males into the environment in the hope of reducing overall mosquito numbers.

Another approach under investigation for the control of the mosquito species Aedes aegypti uses a strain that is genetically modified to require the antibiotic Tetracycline to develop beyond the larval stage. Modified males raised in a laboratory will develop normally as they are supplied with this chemical and can be released into the wild. However, their subsequent offspring will lack tetracycline in the wild and will never develop into adults.

In recent years, control of mosquitoes by genetic methods like sterile male technique, cytoplasmic incompatibility, chromosomal translocations, sex distortion and gene replacement have been explored. Their use is still in research phase. They are cheaper, more efficient and not subject to vector resistance.