Mosquitoes are nuisance pests the world over that inflict irritating bites and as well as potentially transmitting some very debilitating and even deadly, diseases. Although a serious problem in third-world nations, the threat is not taken lightly in the U.S., where programs are implemented in nearly every state to protect the population against disease carrying insects.
One of the most effective Mosquito Control Program in Ashburn VA is the implementation of IPM programs or Integrated Pest Management. IPM programs manage pests through a sustainable approach that uses cultural, biological, chemical, and physical tools. IPM reduces the health, economic, and environmental costs. In the case of mosquitoes specifically, the principles of identification, source reduction, applying adulticides and larvicides, and public education are followed.
- Surveillance -; The purpose of surveillance in a Mosquito Control Program in Ashburn VA is to locate areas with large quantities of mosquitoes. It also identifies the mosquito species present which is important as not all species carry diseases of concern.
- Source Reduction -; The goal is to reduce or remove mosquito breeding habitats by removing sources of standing water such as tires or buckets that have been discarded. It may also involve regrading of ditches to prevent standing water.
- Adulticides -; These target adult mosquitoes only and typically applied via personal sprayers or aircraft. It requires certain weather conditions and application times (season and time of day). Of all the methods of controlling mosquitoes, adulticides are the least effective. However, in the case of a mosquito-borne disease epidemic it does have its place.
- Larvicides -; An important element in mosquito control program in Ashburn VA incorporates pesticides applied to sources of water where mosquitoes breed. Larvicides typically come in a pelleted form or donut-shaped blocks called “dunks”. Larvicides contain insect growth regulator’s or IGR’s that inhibit insect larvae from developing into adults. There are products available over-the-counter that contain biorational larvicides which are bacteria strains that act as pesticides. Common forms are Bacillus thuringiensis which are safe for the homeowner to use as the active ingredient is only released when consumed by the targeted insect.
Pest Management Services also use natural predators as a means of controlling mosquitoes. These may include birds, bats, dragonflies, and frogs. For the control of larvae are mosquito fish (Gambusia). For contained areas like ponds, livestock water troughs, and abandoned pools the addition of koi or goldfish is very effective in controlling mosquito larvae.
