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  1. Community IPM
  2. Public Health IPM
  3. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Section Shortcuts
Introduction
Mosquito Lifestyle
Avoiding Mosquito Bites
Mosquito Prevention
Publications
Presentation
Introduction

Mosquitoes are the most important insect pests that affect the health and well-being of humans and domestic animals worldwide. They can cause a variety of health problems due to their ability to transfer (vector) viruses and other disease-causing pathogens, even in the arid Southwest U.S.

Mosquito-vectored diseases of humans include: arboviral encephalitis (brain inflammation), Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever, Malaria and Filariasis. Mosquitoes are not known to transmit blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis or HIV. Different mosquitoes vector specific diseases, and many mosquito species are not vectors of any human disease.

The most susceptible to the effects of these mosquitoborne pathogens are children and the elderly. However, in some instances life-threatening illness and/or permanent debilitation can occur in infected human hosts of any age.


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The Mosquito Life Cycle

Understanding the basics of mosquito biology will help you  manage  mosquitoes  and  related  disease  risks.  All  mosquitoes  must  have  water  to  complete  their  life  cycle,  although some species require very little water and can develop in a thin moisture film. The mosquito life cycle is an example of complete metamorphosis. There are four distinct stages in the life of a mosquito: egg, larva (aquatic feeders), pupa (aquatic non-feeders) and adult (Fig. 1). Like most  insects  with  complete  metamorphosis,  mosquitoes  have developmental stages that look very different from one another. 

Mosquitoe Life Cycle


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Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes Around Home

1. Eliminate standing water in plant pots, birdbaths, fountains, tires, tarpaulins covering boats or other objects, and backyard trampolines and other items. Check for standing water after every rain or at least once per week, twice per week is ideal.

2. Remove unnecessary clutter. Keep rain gutters free of leaves and other debris that prevent water from draining. Store boats, canoes and other objects so they do not collect rainwater. Saucers placed under potted plants are a favorite breeding site for Aedes aegypti. They should be drained after watering or removed entirely. If eggs are suspected, they need to be scrubbed away, otherwise they remain viable for months, and will hatch later.

3. Repair water leaks (leaky pipes, sprinkler systems, and outside faucets). Correct drainage problems in yards and playing fields. Report drainage problems in ditches, etc.

4. Empty water containers for pets regularly and check livestock watering troughs and tanks. Mosquito eating fish can be added to large (undrainable) water troughs for livestock and horses.

5. Cover rain-collection barrels with insect exclusion netting.

6. Merchant (2016) offers tips on eliminating tree-hole breeding sites:
 ▪ Do not fill tree holes with concrete, gravel or sand. Gravel and sand may hold water in the tree and    promote decay. Gravel and concrete pose a real safety hazard for arborists or tree owners if the tree    eventually must be cut down.

▪Drilling drain holes to keep water from accumulating is no longer recommended, as it may open the    tree up to infection.

▪ Not all tree cavities need to be filled. However, if a tree hole is retaining water, expanding foam may    be a good solution. Use a foam with a lower expansion ratio and inject the foam slowly to protect the    tree. It is not necessary to clean out decay from the cavity before filling with polyurethane foam (e.g.,    Great Stuff ProTM Gaps & Cracks Foam, Foam & Fill® Expanding Poly Sealant, or similar product).


7. Add Gambusia (mosquito eating fish) into personal ponds or stagnant swimming pools to reduce the number of mosquitoes. It is very important to avoid releasing Gambusia into natural waterbodies, as these are voracious predators, and can displace native fish. The fish are available free of charge for Maricopa County residents from the Maricopa County Vector Control office. Just call (602) 506-0700 to schedule a pickup time and bring your own container.

8. Larvicides specifically target the larval life stage of an insect and are generally more efficient control tools compared with adulticides.

 
For more information view our Biology and Integrated Mosquito Management Publication Here


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Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Avoid Mosquito Bites
When  outdoors,  consider  the  following safety tips:
1.    Wear  light  colored  clothing  with loose fitting long-sleeves, long  pants  and  socks.  Use  protective  clothing  when  exposure to mosquitoes cannot be avoided.

2. Properly apply insect repellent even if you are outside for just a short period of time, and share your insect repellent  with  those  around  you.  For  additional  help  selecting  which  repellent  is  right  for  you,  go  to  the EPA search page: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform.

3.   Use a DEET-containing product or a good non-DEET alternative http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4667684/pdf/iev125.pdf and, if you are outside for more than a few hours, reapply repellent frequently.



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Publications
  • Jan 2015
    Mosquito-borne Diseases and Mosquito IPM
    Publication (PDF, 1.28MB)
    Authors: Shujuan (Lucy) Li, Dawn Gouge, Shaku Nair, Al Fournier, Ursula Schuch, Kai Umeda, Dave Kopec, Peter Warren
    This article discusses several of the most important mosquito diseases in regards to human health. West Nile Virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever are mentioned.
  • Apr 2014
    Research-Based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs Impact People, Communities and the Economy of Arizona
    Publication (PDF, 2.17MB)
    Pests in homes, schools, parks, landscapes and other community settings threaten human health and impact local economies. This document outlines some of the impacts that research based Integrated Pest Management programs have made on Arizona.
  • May 2013
    IPM Mosquito Management – Fight the Bite – May 2013
    Publication (PDF, 1.53MB)
    IPM Mosquito Management and how to help fight the bite. Promotion of Bed Bug Awareness. How to help protect Predators from Rodenticides. Celebration of National Kids to Parks day.
  • Jun 2013
    Bed Bugs Awareness and Exposure to Bats – June 2013
    Publication (PDF, 1.46MB)
    Bed Bug Awareness reminder due to the recent trend of increase bed bug infestation. Risks associated with exposure to Bats. Natural Insect Repellents
  • Jul 2017
    Mosquito and Tick Repellents – July 2017
    Publication (PDF, 396KB)
    Featuring Mosquito and Tick Repellents. These aforementioned bugs can spread illness to humans. A large portion of these infections are preventable. Suggestions are given on how to choose what kind of repellent to use and important information regarding them.
  • Jun 2016
    2017 Great Arizona Mosquito Hunt – June 2017
    Publication (PDF, 647KB)
    Featuring 2017 Great Arizona Mosquito Hunt. Details on how to participate in the event are described. Including on how to make a mosquito trap from some simple objects.
  • May 2017
    Human Disease-Causing Viruses Vectored by Mosquitoes – May 2017
    Publication (PDF, 452KB)
    Featuring Human Disease-Causing Viruses Vectored by Mosquitoes. Because mosquito carry and transmit a number of disease causing viruses, they can present risks to human health. Suggestions on how to reduce this risk are given.
  • Jan 2017
    CDC on-line Classes (VCEHP) – January 2017
    Publication (PDF, 391KB)
    Featuring CDC On-line Classes in relation to Vector Control. Mosquitoes contribute to the creation of a disease vectors. The training that is described helps its participants to address public health pests and vectors that spread disease.
  • Aug 2016
    Mosquitoes and the Great Outdoors – August 2016
    Publication (PDF, 493KB)
    Mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous pest to human health overall. This is largely due to ability to transfer viruses and other disease-causing pathogens. This article introduces background information and suggestions on preventing Mosquitoes as well as a few tips for after-bite care.
  • Jul 2016
    Annual Great Arizona Mosquito Hunt – July 2016
    Publication (PDF, 443KB)
    Featuring Annual Great Arizona Mosquito Hunt, with details of some of the goals of this years project. Other information, such as how to prevent mosquito bites, is also discussed.
  • Apr 2016
    Zika Virus – April 2016
    Publication (PDF, 889KB)
    Featuring Zika and IPM Weed Control. Zika virus is often transmitted by mosquitoes. Although it appears as if it hasn't established itself in the United States as of yet, travel cases occur. Symptoms are listed and some suggestions are given. Suggestions on how to treat for weeds in a proactively rather than a reactively.
  • Feb 2016
    Why Pesticide Application Notifications in Schools are Important – February 2016
    Publication (PDF, 506KB)
    Featuring Pesticide Application Notification in Schools and Zika Virus. Children are particularly susceptible to pesticide exposure, so it is important to be be careful in your application. The Zika virus can be spread by mosquito.
  • Aug 2015
    Mosquito-borne Diseases and Mosquito IPM
    Publication (PDF, 607KB)
    Featuring Mosquito-borne Diseases and Mosquito IPM. Mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous pest to human health. Suggestions for management are given. Bed bugs seem to be going through resurgence in the United States.
  • Oct 2014
    Bed Bug Battle and Mosquito Management – October 2014
    Publication (PDF, 1.63MB)
    Featuring Mosquito IPM and Fall Landscape Checklist. Mosquitoes are considered to be the most harmful pest to human health. Tips on managing mosquitoes are given. A checklist of what to do to prepare plants for fall season.
  • Aug 2015
    Pest-proofing Your Home
    Publication (PDF, 5MB)
    Authors: Dawn H. Gouge, Shaku Nair, Shujuan Li and Tim Stock
    Many pests encountered in homes and structures can be prevented by using simple techniques collectively known as “pest-proofing”. If done correctly, pest-proofing your home saves you money by reducing pest management costs, and more importantly, reduces potential pesticide exposure. This publication describes general indoor and outdoor pest-proofing measures and some of the major pests encountered in and around homes and structures.
  • Oct 2013
    Mosquitoes
    Publication (PDF, 2.54MB)
    Authors: Shujuan Li, Dawn Gouge, Al Fournier, Shaku Nair, Paul Baker, Carl Olson
    Mosquitoes are one of the most important insect pests that affect the health and well being of humans and domestic animals worldwide.
  • Aug 2017
    Human Disease Causing Viruses Vectored by Mosquitoes
    Publication (PDF, 1.74MB)
    Authors: Dawn H. Gouge, James R. Hagler, Shaku Nair, Kathleen Walker, Shujuan (Lucy) Li, Christopher S. Bibbs, Chris Sumner and Kirk A. Smith
    There are a number of disease-causing viruses transmitted to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
  • Jan 2016
    Mosquitoes: Biology and Integrated Mosquito Management
    Publication (PDF, 2.20MB)
    Authors: Dawn H. Gouge, Shujuan Li, Kathleen Walker, Chris Sumner, Shaku Nair and Carl Olson
    Mosquitoes are the most important insect pests that affect the health and wellbeing of humans and domestic animals worldwide. They can cause a variety of health problems due to their ability to transfer (vector) viruses and other disease-causing pathogens, even in the arid Southwest U.S.
  • Mar 2018
    Mosquito and Tick Repellents
    Publication (PDF, 1.6MB)
    Authors: Dawn H. Gouge, Shujuan (Lucy) Li, Shakunthala (Shaku) Nair, Kathleen Walker, and Christopher Bibbs
    Mosquitoes and ticks are medically significant pests that affect the health and wellbeing of Arizona residents. They can cause a variety of health problems due to their ability to vector (transfer) viruses and other disease-causing pathogens.

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Presentations
  • No Date
    Mosquitoes and Mosquito-borne Pathogens
    Presentation (PDF, 7.07MB)
    Authors: Shujuan (Lucy) Li, Ph.D. D. H. Gouge, S. Nair, A. J. Fournier, K. Walker, & J. Hurley
    Location Presented: EEK: Vectors and Public Health Pests Virtual Conference

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