The American Museum of Natural History in Des Moines, Iowa, recently relocated its exhibition about mosquitoes. Mosquitoes SUCK! shows the devastation that mosquitoes do to an ecosystem. This exhibit also features a comic book about the history and extermination of mosquitoes. You can learn more about this important topic in this article. Hopefully, it will inspire you to stop swatting mosquitoes or consider using a more natural method to control them.
Orkin
If you have mosquito problems, you may want to contact Orkin for mosquito control services. This company is well-versed in preventing and controlling mosquito populations, which is why they offer a wide variety of services. They can provide residential and commercial properties with mosquito control treatments, which treat areas where the mosquitoes are most active and resting. Additionally, technicians from Orkin Canada use a spray that provides residual control in areas where mosquitoes tend to congregate.
Orkin also treats bedbugs and other common household pests, and offers heat, chemical, and freezing treatments to eliminate them. Their general plan also covers ants, mites, and centipedes. They offer bimonthly and annual services, as well as treatments for crickets and earwigs. It’s important to call Orkin for mosquito extermination if you suspect a mosquito infestation, as they can offer 24/7 customer service for both pest types.
Cedar mulch
In addition to being an excellent mosquito repellent, cedar mulch has other benefits. Not only does cedar mulch smell good, but it also has the added benefit of being resistant to a variety of insects. Cedar mulch is used for many other reasons too, and it is often used in garden beds and outdoor gathering spots. Besides being a mosquito repellent, cedar mulch can also improve the soil’s pH levels, making it less conducive to certain plants.
This fragrant variety of cedar has a long history of being used as a natural insecticide. Although cedar is more expensive than other types of mulch, its scent stays effective as long as you apply it. That’s why savvy homeowners choose cedar to cover their outdoor spaces and use conventional mulch for other areas. Cedar mulch can even be used as an aesthetic addition to your garden. Cedar is a beautiful wood, which makes it the perfect choice for fencing and decorative wood chips.
Genetically modified mosquitoes
One of the most controversial proposals for mosquito extermination is using genetically modified mosquitoes. These insects have been injected with a gene that disables offspring’s normal development and prevents them from reaching adulthood. While this idea sounds like a great idea, critics worry about unintended ecological consequences. However, Oxitec mosquitoes are essentially harmless and will not affect the native population.
The genes that cause these changes are called gene drives, and they are like a selfish gene that doesn’t follow normal genetic rules. They pass on traits to half of their offspring – so, only a few of the offspring become adults. The transformed mosquitoes have altered sexual development and mouth shapes that prevent them from transmitting diseases. Moreover, they can’t bite and spread the malaria parasite to humans. The modified mosquitoes also lack the reproductive organs that would be needed to lay eggs.
The EPA has reviewed a 2019 study that found that the DNA of the Oxitec bugs transferred into the local mosquito population in Brazil. This study raised questions about whether GM mosquitoes create hybrid pests. The journal editors added a note to the article explaining that the results may be misleading. But despite the EPA’s concerns, the company plans to conduct a field test in the U.S. next year.
Biological pest control
Biological pest control has increased in recent years, with more studies being conducted on the effectiveness of several different biocontrol agents. These agents were evaluated for efficacy, environmental impact, and mammalian safety. While numerous organisms have been tested as vector mosquito control agents, few have shown significant operational value or are difficult to multiply in large amounts. Moreover, some may also be pests to other species. Therefore, the effectiveness of these agents depends on their use and the specific conditions of the environment.
The biological control agents used in biological insecticides are entomogenous nematodes (ENVs). These organisms are capable of infecting a variety of different pests, including mosquitoes. Biological control agents are available in a wide range of species. They have been proven effective against over 400 pest species around the world. But how do these organisms work? The answer lies in their diverse ability to kill mosquitoes.