Control
Aedes aegypti
is one of the most problematic insect vectors in the transmission of
human diseases. Among others, yellow fever continues to be an
endemic problem, and dengue fever has proven to be a serious,
growing threat. The main problem with the control of these
mosquitoes is their resilience, ability to use a variety of
habitats, and their fast generation time. The eggs of a mosquito can
survive for months, even if they encounter dry conditions
(Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). They can reproduce and
establish a large population rapidly, since they can lay eggs in or
near almost any source of standing water; rain barrels, empty
containers, old tires, and any other water-holding object that is
not sealed can be a potential mosquito breeding ground (American
Mosquito Control Organization, 2013). Since they have different
habitats for different life stages, eliminating one stage of the
mosquito will not wipe out the population. For example, if a program
eliminates adult mosquitoes, it won’t reach the egg and larval
stages and the population will just return. Likewise, eliminating
larval stages without getting rid of adults will not eradicate a
population.
Another
problem with the control of mosquitoes is the apathy of the public.
The public’s mindset in many areas is that either the mosquitoes are
the government’s job to eradicate, or there is nothing that can be
done about the mosquito problem. This prevents people from taking
simple measures to eliminate the mosquito populations around their
own homes. In reality, the control of the mosquitoes can most
effectively be established at the individual, family, and community
level (American Mosquito Control Organization, 2013). The removal of
breeding sites of mosquitoes, along with protecting people from
being bitten, is what could ultimately result in the elimination of
the mosquito problem. This cannot be done effectively by the
government, but requires cooperation of communities and families.
The United States environmental protection agency has specific
guidelines for the removal of mosquito habitat from around the home;
they mainly consist of getting rid of, sealing, or treating standing
water. Their guidelines for preventing mosquito bites include the
use of repellents, wearing appropriate clothing, screening windows
to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, and staying indoors when
mosquitoes are the most active (Environmental Protection Agency,
2013). The government still has certain responsibilities, though.
The main role
of the government should be educating the public, and contributing
to research being developed on new control measures for the
mosquitoes. Since the most effective current control measures need
to be implemented by communities and families, educating its
citizens should be the top priority in the government’s
contributions to mosquito eradication. It should also aid in
research efforts to find new methods of control; biological control
methods, such as using mosquitoes’ natural predators such as
copepods, tadpoles, and some fish to reduce their numbers, show a
lot of potential for future use. As the system established for the
order and protection of its citizens, it is the government’s
responsibility to aid these efforts.