breeding
          public health impact
treatment
          education
repellents
          organizations
request service

breeding
The number one source of mosquito breeding in urban environments is containers.  Most common containers found breeding include tires, kiddie pools, buckets, wheelbarrows, flower pot basins, rain barrels, cans, bird baths and rain spout extensions.
Mosquitoes must have water in order to develop.  The eggs are lain in the water and there they develop into larvae (lar-va).  The larvae feed on organic matter in the water and grow until they reach the pupal stage.  The pupae (pew-pa) shell then breaks open and a flying adult emerges.  The whole cycle can be done in as little as seven days but usually averages between 7-10 days.  The amazing thing is that they only need a small amount of water to breed in.  It's possible for 1/4 cup of water to produce hundreds of mosquitoes throughout the summer.  By eliminating any standing water the breeding cycle of the mosquito is broken.  This  is the most effective means of control.  Δ

treatment
Several factors effect what type of treatment will be necessary when addressing a mosquito problem.  Species identification, location of the breeding source, developmental stage of the larvae and population of nearby residents will determine what chemical or biological treatment should be used.  Sometimes no control is even necessary.  Larviciding agents used in Cabarrus County come in a liquid and solid form.  The liquid is a monomolecular film which is sprayed on the surface of the water.  It works to decrease the surface tension which inhibits the larvae's air tube from attaching to the surface to get air.  The solid form is a BTi briquet (often called a mosquito dunk) that slowly dissolves in the water where it is ingested by the larvae.  It then inhibits their growth preventing them from developing into adults.  These larvicides are specific to mosquitoes therefore having very little effect on the  environment and other non-target organisms.  Biological control may be feasible if the area can sustain fish year round.  Gambusia are used because they are native fish that feed on mosquito larvae.  They can be a great solution to some long term problems.  Δ

repellents
The most effective protection from mosquito bites is a combination of repellent containing the ingredient DEET (10% max of children; 30% max for adults) and wearing long shirts and pants.  Using bug zappers actually kill more mosquito-eating insects then the mosquitoes themselves.  Skin-so-soft does work, but only for 20 minutes at a time.  Citronella candles are effective at deterring mosquitoes only with a 15 foot range of the source.  Two new repellents have been added to the the approved list from CDC.  These are: lemon eucalyptus oil and Picaridin.  The ingredient picaridin is also listed as KBR 3023.  Read a WebMD article about repellent tests.Δ

public health impact
Mosquitoes have had a significant effect on public health throughout history.  With the recent emergence of WNV in the US, arboviruses are once again in the forefront of peoples minds.  These insects are able to transmit certain diseases from animal to animal and sometimes includes humans in this cycle.  Unfortunately, mosquitoes seek out a blood meal and there is no way to tell what mosquito is infected and which ones are not.  On the other hand, there are good repellents on the market and by ridding areas of standing water, breeding sources can be reduced or eliminated.  Combining public involvement and a local mosquito control program allows for a fairly controllable environment to monitor mosquitoes and the arboviruses in the community.  A proactive approach is very effective and necessary for good mosquito control.  Δ

education
Presentations are available upon request.  Literature is also available on a number  of other pests and animals including rats, fire ants, cockroaches, ticks, fleas and mores.  Call for requests.  Δ

organizations
mid-atlantic mosquito control association   MAMCA
north carolina mosquito & vector control association  NCMVCA
state public health pest management program   PHPM
national pesticide information center  NPIC
centers for disease control  CDC  Δ