Control Home Mosquitoes | Mosquito Products

Science Daily— A Mayo Clinic researcher has discovered a target site within malaria-carrying mosquitoes that could be used to develop pesticides that are toxic to the Anopheles gambiae mosquito and other mosquito species. It would not affect humans and other mammals. If supported by further studies, the findings could offer a safer and more effective control of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria. Yuan-Ping Pang, Ph.D., a chemist and expert in computer-aided molecular design at Mayo Clinic, identified two unique amino acid residues called cysteine (286) and arginine (339). These exist in three mosquito species and the German cockroach. Dr. Pang's findings are significant because the residues could potentially be used as a target site for a pesticide that would incapacitate only insects that carry these residues, which do not exist in mammals. The findings appear in the current issue of PLoS ONE, a new, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Public Library of Scienc

By Shayla Ashmore Lassen County Agriculture Commissioner Ken Smith won another state grant to conduct mosquito abatement in 2007 to control deadly West Nile Virus. “We’re hopeful that maybe with the larviciding and the mosquito fish, that perhaps Susanville might not warrant (spraying) and it would remain in the outlying areas which are so heavily infested with the West Nile.” WNV is now a threat all over the country, Smith told the Board of Supervisors at its Dec. 19 meeting, with 270 human cases reported in California last year.“ Some fairly close by, Butte County reported 31, Tehama County 3, Shasta County 4, Modoc County 2 and over in Nevada, it’s not an exact number, but around 15,” Smith said. The median age of those who contracted WNV was 50. “Which means half the people who contracted West Nile Virus were over 50 and half were under 50,” he said. “Previously most people assumed that West Nile Virus was a condition that would affect mostly elderly people, but the median age

By Khalil Goodman There is only one mosquito that can transmit malaria in Barbados and thankfully it is only found in one area on the island. The mosquito, Anopheles aquasalis is one species of the 400 variants of the Anopheles mosquito. Of these only 40 can transmit the four different species of parasites known to cause malaria. Ronald Chapman, Environmental Health Specialist with the Epidemiology Department in the Ministry of Health, explained yesterday that the Anopheles aquasalis prefers to live in water with a higher than average salt density in the water. Thus, for years they have only lived in the brackish water of the Graeme Hall Swamp. Referencing Jamaica where over 100 cases were reported in the last month, Chapman noted that it is unclear what type of anopheles mosquito has caused the outbreak there, but noted that the species Anopheles gambiae is the type that is most known to transmit the dangerous malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum. He disclosed that the few cases of

Here are some tips for controlling mosquito breeding areas around your home or business: • Empty water from old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or other places mosquitoes could breed. • Clean rain gutters and downspouts. • Empty plastic wading pools at least once per week and store inside when not in use. • Change the water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once per week. • Store boats covered or upside down or remove accumulated rain water every week. • Empty pets' water bowls daily. • Level the ground around your home so water won't collect in low spots. • Fill in holes or depressions in the ground around your home if they collect water. • Cut weeds and grass where adult mosquitoes seek refuge from the heat during the day. To protect yourself: • Stay indoors during the peak biting periods of dawn and dusk. • Make sure door and window screens fit tight and are in good condition. • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants of tightly woven fabric. • Use

By Brennan Purtzer With record rainfall flooding Kaunakaka'i and other areas of the island, much of the wet stuff ended up in ponds, swamps and bogs across Moloka'i. hile frogs are enjoying the ponds, you may have noticed they have also become hatcheries to thousands, if not millions of mosquitoes. As mad as we get at the whalers who brought them here, the fact remains they are here to stay, and we've got to learn to live with the bloodsuckers. Here are some tips to dealing with these parasitic pests. * Avoid swampy areas if you can. * If you're in a swampy area, try to avoid being there at dawn or dusk. * Wear long, heavy pants and shirts. * Tuck your pants into your boots. * Wear light colored clothing so ticks and bugs show up easily. * Spray pesticides on your clothing (NOT on your skin). Even more effective - don't be a mosquito breeding ground. Try to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the first place. Replacing your outdoor lights with yellow lights and usin

by Bill Hanckel Slapping yourself silly trying to keep mosquitoes from biting you? Besides causing irritating itching bites, mosquitoes can also carry and transmit several diseases including the West Nile Virus. Although you cannot get rid of every mosquito, there are many ways to protect yourself and those around you. The most important way to help fight mosquitoes is by breaking their breeding cycle. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water and those eggs hatch within 48 hours. Once hatched, the larvae feed on debris in the stagnant water until they move into the resting stage. In this stage, the larvae become pupae. The mosquito begins to develop and finally emerges as an adult mosquito. All this can happen in less than 5 days! Be pro-active and check the area around your home for places where standing water may accumulate such as birdbaths, clogged gutters, buckets, kiddie pools, toys, even bottle caps – mosquitoes can breed in just a thimble full of water. Change water often in