The Fight Against Mosquitoes Around The World

Winnipeg has long been Canada's mosquito first city, but Edmonton is giving it a run for its money this year. These days, mosquito traps in Edmonton are catching five times more mosquitoes that those in Winnipeg. Rainy spells followed by warm weather are blamed for the colossal increase in the number of these maddening insects.



Residents of Edmonton are calling for a substantial rise in the budget to combat the mosquito population which can carry West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus delivers symptoms similar to a severe bout of flu, but older and younger victims have died from epidemics. County health officials are considering spraying public fields before official public holidays to reduce the rate of biting.



On the other side of the world, in Sidney, Australia, the parks department has also begun its anti-mosquito spraying agenda and inhabitants are invited to call in to be added to a 'no spray' list, if they are afraid of the toxicity of the insect spray. It is thought that most people will prefer having their block and garden sprayed as the numbers of mosquitoes are rising there too.



However, the spraying plan has always proved a success in the past and will like continue to be so. This year it will be supplemented by poisoning ponds and lakes with larvacide, which is a more practical form of control adding fish to the ponds that eat mosquito larvae would be an even better manner. The tablets are known as Altosid and last for 30 days, although they are also considering using XR which works for 150 days.



West Nile Virus is also a difficulty in Sidney, although there have not been any recorded cases yet. This means nothing though as most individuals who get WNF think that they have a summer cold. The city health authorities say that they are continuing to trap mosquitoes and carry out autopsies on dead birds to get an early warning of a possible WNV epidemic.



The city health department is warning all those over 50 years of age and those with a weakened immune system to take extra care by applying a repellent including DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil on bare skin and by wearing long trousers and long-sleeved shirts at dusk and at dawn.



They are also recommending doing basic maintenance and repairs about the home and garden. In particular, fly screens ought to be repaired and all stagnant water ought to be drained. They advise drilling holes in any old tyres and containers that can hold water, because mosquitoes only require a half inch of water to breed.



Meanwhile, in the States, anti-mosquito action is also being pursued. It seems that wherever you go in the world, the local authorities are attempting to do something about the number of mosquitoes. Do they know something that we don't?



Like in Sidney and Edmonton, they too are worried around the Developed world Nile Virus which appears to have people running afraid all over the world.



In Jacksonville, they are also recommending that individuals remove the mosquito's breeding grounds from gardens and rubbish ground by up-turning any can that could hold water after rainfall. They also advocate unblocking drains and gutters.



They caution about keeping your animals safe from Eastern Equine Encephalitis during dawn and dusk and keeping yourself protected by wearing long clothing at dawn and dusk. Finally, they say to rub DEET on all bare fields of skin.



Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on several topics, but is currently concerned with finding natural remedies for mosquito bites. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Getting Rid of Mosquito Bites.