Disinsection – Mosquito Control
The mosquito is a two-winged insect of the family Culicidae with about 3,500 species worldwide. It is considered by animals to be the number one killer of humans worldwide. The biological cycle of the mosquito consists of the eggs, larval stages (larvae), nymph and larval prosperous.
The first stages live in water. The lifespan of adult mosquitoes (larvae) usually depends on several factors such as temperature, humidity, the sex of the mosquito and the time of year. Male mites live for about a week while females live longer and depending on the above factors this can be up to a month. Females need blood to live and multiply.
In Greece there are mainly 3 widespread genera of mosquitoes:
1. Anopheles (Anopheles spp.) .This genus of mosquitoes is the vector of malaria and the diseases of encephalitis and filariasis. Adult mosquitoes of this genus are identified by their body posture, where the proboscis, head and body are in a straight line. Their wings are also marked with small spots. By biting a person who has malaria, the female sucks along with the blood the plasmodium to which the disease is due. Inside the mosquito’s body the germ remains and grows. It is then transferred to its salivary glands and thus, by a new bite on the body of a healthy person, it carries the germ through its saliva into his body. The anopheles mosquito lives from 18 days to 4-5 weeks.
2. The common mosquito (Culex spp.). It multiplies in stagnant and polluted water and in places where there is a lot of moisture. Its proboscis is interrupted and downward in relation to the rest of its body. The feathers are uniform in colour. The eggs are laid on the surface of the water and float in groups of 100 or more. It lives 10-15 days but in cold conditions it can live longer. It can carry the disease of encephalitis, but quite hardly, and the disease of filariasis only in tropical regions.
3. The genus Aedes (Aedes spp.) transmits yellow fever. It differs from the common mosquito in the silvery colour of its thorax. The tip of the female’s abdomen is pointed and has several sensory appendages protruding. The larvae of this genus are short and fat and the eggs are able to survive outside of water for a long time. It reproduces after flooding in rainwater reservoirs or salt marshes. Its life span is usually short (10-15 days) but under suitable cold climatic conditions it can live up to several months.
Mosquito activity is related to humidity and atmospheric temperature. This is why they are most mobilised in the early morning and during the night.
Feeds that attract mosquitoes:
- movement
- blood group to which they show particular preference
- body heat
- moisture and carbon dioxide exhaled in breathing
- bright colours in our clothes.
Mosquitoes, apart from being a nuisance, are also carriers of several diseases for humans such as malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever virus, chikungunya and West Nile virus.
Method of combating
Professional mosquito control targets the still larval stage (aquatic stage) and the adult stage.
It is carried out by spraying over a large area, mainly in the first months of spring to combat the mosquito larvae and prevent the multiplication of the next generations. In the case of spraying a specific area (e.g. the courtyard of an apartment building) in the summer months, there is no total control, but a significant reduction of the phenomenon that lasts for about 20-30 days.
The application of mosquito repellent in the exterior of residential buildings is carried out by universal spraying of garden surfaces (lawns), as well as by spot spraying from a certain distance on plants, mainly with dense vegetation not intended for eating.
For best results, the following actions need to be carried out in parallel:
1. watering should be done in the morning or late in the evening.
2. Do not leave standing water in the garden, potting dishes, dripping taps, etc. Any concentration of water is capable of being a potential breeding ground for mosquito larvae.
3. Seal wells, wells and cesspools well.
4. Prune plants frequently and avoid dense vegetation to prevent nesting of adult mosquitoes.
