Mosquito Control Programs: Putting Prevention First

West Nile virus has hit all of the 48 contiguous states, so state and local programs are in place to monitor for the disease in mosquitoes and sentinel birds. Mosquito control programs for disease prevention should first focus on eliminating mosquito breeding habitat (any standing water) whenever possible. Next, efforts should concentrate on reducing mosquito larvae in other water habitats. The Joint Statement on Mosquito Control by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that:

"The underlying philosophy of mosquito control is based on the fact that the greatest control impact on mosquito populations will occur when they are concentrated, immobile and accessible. This emphasis focuses on habitat management and controlling the immature stages before the mosquitoes emerge as adults. This policy reduces the need for widespread pesticide application in urban areas."

The resources below provide information that can help you get reasonable policies established in your community.

• NCAP: Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus
• NCAP: Guidelines For Mosquito Control Programs
• NCAP: Influencing Your Community Mosquito Control Program
• ASTHO: Public Health Confronts the Mosquito: Developing Sustainable State and Local Mosquito Control Programs (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials). 2005. 72 pages

Personal Protection

There are many ways that you can avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. These include common sense steps such as spending less time outdoors when mosquitoes are active and making sure that the birdbath in your yard doesn't become a breeding ground for more mosquitoes.

Many people will choose to use repellents as well. To make an informed choice, find out more about the chemicals in common mosquito repellents.

Pesticides Used for Mosquito Control Programs

Pesticides used West Nile virus mosquito control include larvicides and adulticides. The EPA states that these chemicals will not pose "unreasonable risks to human health" when used in public health mosquito control programs. Nevertheless, the use of these pesticides may impact human health and the environment.

Detailed information about the potential hazards is available for most of the pesticides used in mosquito control programs.