Getting Smart With Technology: GIS and Mosquito Management

Utilizing Technology to Effectively Manage Mosquitoes

A geographic information system, GIS, is a set of tools that allow us to visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data. By creating maps, reports, or charts, you can reveal relationships, patterns, or trends in data that often play a significant role in decision making.

GIS is designed to capture data and store it in various digital formats (individual files, databases, geodatabases, etc.) so that data can be edited and managed with ease. Most industries and businesses of all sizes can benefit from GIS to improve record keeping, provide guidance on where to apply financial and human resources, and support communication and education efforts with employees and customers. The technology offers a variety of data to assist in decision-making, which is vital within industries that manage time-sensitive projects and/or services where public education and public health are a concern.

What Role Can GIS Technology Play in Effective Mosquito Control?

A keystone of the Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach is managing data. GIS data can be analyzed and presented in a visual manner that many find easier to understand. The greatest resource that is provided as a result of GIS technology is a map! Maps are a beautiful way to highlight data. The visual aids combine findings and give it context that is customized for a specific audience. Additionally, customers can be provided with activity reports on a regular basis depending on their needs. As part of an IMM program GIS technology can help:

Track Larval Habitats and Larval Control Applications

Field technicians can use GPS coordinates to collect data related to larval habitats and larvicide applications. Data can include marking a location that was visited, noting if a location had larval activity, or tracking how much product was applied to a given area.

Process Surveillance and Disease Monitoring Data

gis-map_250x166.jpgUsing GIS can provide a clear idea of what is happening in the mosquito populations in any given area. First, trap locations can be recorded and added to a database. Next, mosquito counts and species identified can be populated for each location. Then, disease testing can be inputted for each trap and mapped on an ongoing basis. Additionally, service requests can be logged and mapped to help identify problem areas.

Determine Adulticide Application and Treatment Exclusion Areas

By tracking the mosquito populations, managers can make educated decisions on whether control measures are needed as well as when and where to make adulticide applications. The data allows mosquito control technicians to set parameters and load a base map for each mosquito application mission. During a ground mission, a technician’s truck has a GPS controlled variable flow Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) sprayer and a PC within the cab that displays a moving map and mission database to record the GIS data. All aspects of adulticide applications (ground or aerial) can be recorded including but not limited to time and date of application, the application rate, the product utilized, the amount of product applied, and the specific route with notes on exclusion areas. 

In addition to the practical applications, in the day-to-day operations of an IMM program, GIS can assist in:

Regulatory Compliance

To maintain individual and corporate compliance and licensing with multiple government agencies and jurisdictions is a daunting task. By accurately recording and mapping all aspects of a program, maps can be used to assure regulatory compliance and streamline requirements for initiatives like NPDES permitting.

Inventory Management

When ULV application equipment is coupled with GPS tracking units and on-board GIS monitoring systems, accurate chemical use is recorded. This allows program managers to know exactly how much adulticide is being used during every spray mission, which in turn provides them with the data they need to manage their product inventory efficiently. In larvicide applications, GIS data provides accurate area measurements so technicians know how much product to apply at any given site and managers know how much product they need to have on hand to treat all the sites in their program.

Mosquito-surveillance

Public Education

By mapping public health risks, associated with disease monitoring in mosquito populations, GIS can support a community’s efforts to communicate if there is a mosquito-borne disease concern in a given area.

Emergency Response

Federal, state, and local governments use GIS to aid in emergency response efforts. GIS has played an integral role in controlling mosquito outbreaks after tropical storms, hurricanes, and intense flooding.

Utilizing GIS to Drive More Effective IMM Programs

GIS can be utilized in every facet of an integrated mosquito management program. With ongoing advances in technology, the possibilities of GIS improving the efforts to protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases are endless.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_square Since 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Aerial Mosquito Management: Timing Control Efforts

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Adult Mosquito Management

For districts, counties, or municipalities, it can feel that when the mosquito season starts, the clock also starts. It won’t be long before residents begin to contact local leaders to help reduce mosquito populations in their communities. If a threat becomes too great, often aerial applications are conducted. The Mission: To reduce large nuisance populations and kill as many mosquitoes that could carry vector-borne diseases as possible. Timing during this mission is a top concern.

vdci aerial services plane scenic spraying treatment mosquito control vector managementWhether larviciding or adulticiding, timing in Aerial Mosquito Control is an extremely critical component. Knowing the amount of time that is required to go through all the protocols, preflight the aircraft, and be able to hit the “spray on” switch at the exact specified time, to ensure a successful mission, can sometimes present its challenges – but must be accomplished.

Adulticing: On Time and On Target

Before an aerial operation can take place, there are significant factors that must coincide with timing. We have outlined a short list of protocols that must be followed while conducting an aerial adulticide mission.

Who, What, Where, When?

Culex_tarsalis_p_2Western_Encephalitis_Mosquito_250x166.jpgFirst, we need to determine what species we are trying to control. Different species of mosquitoes have different flight patterns and peak activity. Culex pipiens prefer to feed up to 2 hours after sunset compared to Cx. tarsalis (shown in image) who will only feed for up to 1 hour after sunset. Exact application time to target specific species is crucial. VDCI recommends the use of rotator traps to determine exact flight times of targeted species in a given area. Forethought on behalf of the beneficial insects needs to be considered as well. Next, a detailed map should be utilized to review the exact location that the application is desired. Then, both parties should review what product is being considered for application. Once the product is determined, aerial applicators will revisit their flight plan to ensure the mission dispenses the correct amount of chemical out of the aircraft as not to exceed the time allotment. Throughout the entire process, the mosquito control team should answer all questions, address all concerns, and maintain clear communication with the customer.

Contact Local Law Enforcement

Many application areas will require coordination with local law enforcement. When mosquito control aircraft fly over populated areas at 300 ft, the low flight path can generate additional phone calls into the police dispatch centers. Providing the local centers with advanced knowledge of a scheduled flight can help ease concerns of residents.

Contact Local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Control Towers and Controlling Agencies

Communication with local aviation agencies is a very important aspect as well. Typically, a mission over congested areas also includes flying within FAA controlled airspace. Proper coordination prevents two aircraft from occupying the same airspace at the same time.

File a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) with the FAA

Filing an NOTAM will allow another pilot in the area, that may not be in contact with a control tower, to be aware of the area and altitude that local mosquito control will be conducting operations.

Weather Factors

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Anything from temperature inversions to gusty conditions must be factored into the timing of an application. Temperature inversions are common at night and seem to be most prominent right after sunset. Depending on the inversion level, it may require an altitude adjustment of the aircraft. Wind conditions and the tracking of storms must also be given attention. Will we be able to get the product out and to the target site before the wind increases or a thunderstorm starts? Or should we wait? Understanding the environmental conditions of an area is an important part of completing a successful mission.

Larviciding: Best Conditions, Best Results

Larvicidng, when compared to adulticiding, can offer applicators a little more breathing room throughout a mission. Instead of windows delegated by hours, an aerial applicator can have a few days. Even in the hottest days of summer, a successful mission can be spread over as many as 3 days to get the pesticide to the larvae and achieve desired results. This provides mosquito control pilots with more opportunities to make a precise application under the best conditions.

Contact Us to Learn More About Aerial Mosquito Management:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Commercial Properties and Outdoor Employees: 4 Mosquito Management Tips

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Create Safe, Mosquito-Free Spaces

Commercial properties have many facilities that feed, power, and clothe the world. Often these locations are operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can present employees with challenging working conditions indoors and outdoors. Mosquitoes do not have to be one of the daily challenges on commercial properties. By taking a few simple steps, employers can reduce concern for these pests both as a nuisance and their potential to spread vector-borne diseases.

1. Remove Standing Water

Mosquitoes can breed in the smallest amounts of water, and it does not take much time for an adequate larval habitat to produce the next generation of mosquitoes. To help reduce the chances of mosquitoes breeding on your property, look around for items that can hold water. Tire piles, culverts, ditches or rain gutters that may not drain properly, and low areas in grassy locations are just a few examples of where you may consider checking. If they can be emptied or removed, this is the best way to ensure they do not produce mosquitoes. While ditches may need to be dug out, or a gutter may need to be cleaned, this small amount of effort can go a long way to combat your existing or potential mosquito problem. In some instances, where the water source cannot be removed, it may be beneficial to investigate biological control agents or apply larvicides.

2. Barrier Treatments

Most mosquitoes prefer to rest during the day and come out at dusk in search of a blood meal. They find out-of-the-way places such as storm drains, shrubs, or under walkways and awnings to avoid the elements while they wait for the perfect time to attack! Several of these areas can be ideal to consider a residual pesticide to kill any mosquitoes that utilize the locations to hide on your property. You can apply a treatment with a simple pump sprayer, or, for bigger areas, you may need a powered backpack or truck-mounted sprayer. Most of the time, if the product is applied in a location that does not receive direct sunlight or have an opportunity to be washed away by rain, the treatment can provide your property with a few weeks of control.

3. Personal Repellant

Public Education in Reducing Mosquito Populations 2 bugspray mosquito prevention health and safetyIf you have employees that work outdoors at dusk or dawn, you may have thought about which mosquito repellents are best at protecting your team from this nuisance and potentially disease-carrying pest. DEET, Picaridin, and IR3535 are all approved repellants and come in a variety of forms. You can distribute single-use repellent wipes to carry around a job site or offer spray cans. Be sure to check the chosen product’s label for the concentration of the active ingredient. Providing your employees with education on the product, instructions for application, and expected time frame of protection will ensure maximum efficacy.

 

4. Adult Mosquito Control

Even with all of the above efforts, you may still see some mosquitoes flying on your property. ULV fogging may be necessary to kill mosquito species that are active while your employees are working. If portions of your property are located in hard to reach places, several handheld sprayers can provide an option for crews to complete applications on foot and have a few set flow rates to make the application process easy. Remember to take care applying pesticides around working employees, and always read the product label and associated labeling prior to use. Additionally, be sure to research if the selected pesticide requires an applicator’s license.

VDCI is committed to public education and spreading awareness throughout the U.S. about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and their preventability, with the overarching goal of reducing illness and fatality statistics. Our dedicated and experienced team works tirelessly to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in all of the contracts we service. If you would like more information about any aspect of an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program, including mosquito surveillance, disease testing, or adult control, please contact Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), and we will help you get started immediately.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Success of Truck-Based Wide-Area Larvicide Application

Managing Mosquito Larvae with Innovative Trucks

Cities around the globe continue to learn about new control methods that can protect their growing populations from disease-carrying insects.

The emergence of Zika virus in the Americas brought to light many of the challenges facing mosquito control programs and abatement districts throughout the world as well as within the United States. Traditional door-to-door interventions for managing urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) have put financial stress on many programs and encouraged investigation into novel or alternate application technologies. 

It can prove challenging to supply enough manpower to turn over every flowerpot, remove garbage, and inspect every clogged gutter in densely populated areas. Residential technicians also find limited access to private commercial and individual properties and are challenged to identify or access the small and cryptic breeding grounds utilized by these invasive urban mosquito species. The new public health threat associated with Zika, combined with management obstacles, have forced new thinking on how to control mosquitoes within densely populated areas.

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Looking for New Innovative Ways to Control Mosquitoes

The mosquito management industry is frequently looking for new and innovative methodologies for controlling mosquito populations, and the introduction of another mosquito-borne illness to the U.S. is creating a greater focus on the urban environments of the Aedes species previously mentioned. The VDCI team has spent much of this year exploring innovative technologies with the hopes of reducing the manpower necessary for managing mosquito populations in densely populated areas. Truck-based larvicide applications seek to increase the distance that a larvicide can travel, and with the right droplet size we can reach backyard habitats and other areas not easily reached on foot.

How Wide-Area Larviciding Helped Reduce Adult Mosquito Populations

While working with Broward County, Florida last season our team was able to assess the efficacy of Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based application equipment within several areas of South Florida. While these types of applications are still in their infancy, we had the opportunity to characterize droplet density and do larval cup assays during a real life application. Our team was able to collect data with regards to spray penetration and larval mortality at three (3) locations (front, middle, and back) within twelve (12) individual properties.

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The results were impressive. We found an average mortality of 90% across all locations of the tested habitats. Containers at the front and the sides of homes provided the strongest results, showing 100% mortality within 24-hours. Containers behind homes were sometimes more challenging to reach with these droplets as they have to float for just the right amount of time and settle into the cryptic habitat such as old tires or garbage with the potential for holding water. While larval mortality in backyards was not as high as other areas, the knockdown rate was still high enough to reduce the need for hand treatments and door-to-door inspections significantly. These strong results indicate that Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based applications are effective in reaching conspicuous areas throughout residential neighborhoods and should be considered as a valuable and time-saving tool for suppressing urban mosquito populations that present the greatest risk to public health in the current fight against Zika virus as well as several other mosquito-borne diseases.

Due to the successful results, our team has continued to work this winter to optimize equipment for Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based equipment for the 2017 mosquito season.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

VDCI Team on Stage: 2017 AMCA Annual Meeting

Written By Broox Boze, Ph.D.

 

The annual American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) meeting kicks off the unofficial start to mosquito season.

malcom-williams-amca-industry-award-2017_san-diego-CA-jayd.jpgAMCA hosted its 83rd Annual Meeting in San Diego earlier last month, and attendees were excited to learn about cutting-edge technology, the challenges associated with Zika virus, and to simply catch up with colleagues and partners from around the country. The VDCI team contributed to the meeting by presenting on key industry topics, hosting a young professional entering the world of mosquito management, and had the additional honor of seeing a team member recognized for 40 years of industry contributions!

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Answers To 7 Questions You Asked About

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Common Questions About Mosquito Management

VDCI team members are constantly in conversations with city, county, and parish officials as well as mosquito abatement districts who are interested in starting or upgrading their mosquito abatement programs. We field many questions, and some are really great! We would like to take the time to provide answers to a few of the questions that our professionals were asked over the past year.

1. Our community has conducted our own spraying for years. Why would we want to contract out our mosquito abatement program?

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Mosquito control involves much more than using trucks to spray a community at night. Truck spraying should be the end result of a fully integrated approach to managing mosquitoes that includes public education, source reduction, surveillance, larviciding, disease testing, and adulticiding. VDCI can provide all of the above in a turn-key mosquito abatement program, freeing up your resources and lowering your liability.

2. I am aware that VDCI has airplanes. We have never conducted an aerial mission before. Why would we need it?

Aerial missions may not be a need in your community. Many mosquito control operations around the country use aerial applications, and for a good reason. With truck and foot missions, you can encounter limitations with road networks and the ability to safely access a given area. If some areas are not accessible, it can be challenging to ensure good control. VDCI’s aircraft are equipped with industry-leading technology that assists in desired coverage for large and small target areas, often seeing as much as a 95% reduction in the mosquito population.

3. Does truck spraying really work?

Yes, truck spraying is a meaningful and effective action within an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program; however, there are a multitude of factors that need to be taken into consideration for maximum efficacy, such as:

  • Calibration – Equipment MUST be properly calibrated to ensure that you are applying enough product to be effective, while at the same time not over applying and harming non-targets or beneficial insects.
  • Timing/Biology – Most adulticides are designed to kill the flying mosquito. If the mosquito species you are targeting is not active at the time you are spraying, you may as well leave the truck in the shed! Spraying at 4:30 pm may cut down on overtime; however, it does not kill many mosquitoes.
  • Wind Speed and Direction – We rely on our product floating in the air and need a little wind to carry the adulticide through the target area. If there is NO wind, your effectiveness will be reduced, and the product will not move far from the truck. On the flip side, high winds (over 10 mph) will carry the product too fast through the desired area.
  • Droplet Size – If product drops are too big, they will fall out of the air too soon and never reach a mosquito. A large drop can also lead to deposition onto plants and other foliage, potentially leading to non-target exposure, and can lead to pesticide resistance in the future. If they are too small, they may not be lethal enough to kill the mosquito and can lead to resistance within the population.
  • Truck Speed – Driving too fast causes sub-lethal doses to be applied, while driving too slow can put out too much product, affecting non-targets. As a stand-alone option, truck fogging is not the best choice; however, when combined with surveillance, disease monitoring, source reduction, larval control, and public education, truck spraying absolutely has its place in a mosquito management program and can play a huge role in the suppression of mosquito-borne disease.

4. What Effect Does Spraying Have On Other “Beneficial” Insects, Pets, And Humans?

Extensive studies have shown little or no effect on beneficial insects from ULV spraying for adult mosquitoes. By A) limiting applications to areas with documented high annoyance or threat of disease, B) utilizing specialized Ultra-Low Volume technology (applications at approximately 1.0 ounce per acre, with specifically-sized microscopic droplets of a low toxicity product), and C) timing applications only during the evening when mosquitoes are at their peak activity period, and most other non-target insects are not active, we are able to minimize non-target effects. As far as pets and humans are concerned, ULV technology again allows us to apply a very small amount of a very low toxicity product over a large area, which means the amount of product people are exposed to is minimal. Additionally, these products breakdown very rapidly in the environment and do not bio-accumulate. For more information, please visit our Pesticides Page.

5. Which mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus?

At least 43 species of mosquitoes have been found to transmit West Nile virus in the United States. Many of these infected mosquitoes feed only upon birds, thus contributing to a cycling of the virus among avian populations. Other species feed upon these infected birds and then will feed on humans, making them an ideal vector. In urban settings, Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus tend to be the primary vectors of concern. In rural areas, particularly in the western part of the United States, Culex tarsalis is the primary transmitter.

6. Do really cold winters mean that we will have fewer mosquitoes next year?

Not necessarily. Different mosquito species spend the winter months in different life stages. When the water and air temperature start to get colder, and the days get shorter, mosquitoes will go into a type of hibernation referred to as ‘diapause’. This means adult mosquitoes are not seeking a blood meal, larvae will stay in their current instar stage, and eggs will not hatch even when wet. Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes will overwinter as adults. They find underground storm drains, crawl spaces, barns, and any other place they can get out of the weather and cold. This is why when you get a couple of warm days during the winter, you may start to see a few mosquitoes. There are adult mosquitoes out there simply waiting for it to warm up! Others, such as your Aedes, or floodwater mosquitoes, will overwinter in the egg stage. These eggs can get wet and dry out several times in the winter, but they will not hatch until the spring, when the water temperature warms up and the days start to get longer. So, the short answer is that mosquitoes know how to survive winters and they have been doing it for thousands of years.

7. If we were to go to another city where VDCI works, will there be NO mosquitoes?

You will probably see mosquitoes in areas that VDCI services. VDCI will never claim to decrease your mosquito population by 100%, and you should run from anyone that does make that promise. What you will find is a scientifically-based approach to mosquito control that strives to protect public health by considering all stages of the mosquito life-cycle and each species bionomics. Surveillance alone is not effective. Source reduction or larviciding alone is not effective. Truck spraying alone is certainly not effective. Aerial spraying alone is not effective. What is effective, however, is the combination of all of these components – an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program. An IMM program will reduce the chance of being bitten and contracting a mosquito-borne disease. VDCI continues to use innovative mosquito management methodologies and industry-leading technologies to provide more efficient, cost effective, and timely solutions to protect public health.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Management Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

2016 Mosquito-Borne Disease Year in Review

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Mosquito-Borne Diseases Reported In the U.S.

2016 was a year of intense scrutiny over vector-borne diseases due to the outbreak of Zika virus. The media coverage of Zika has overshadowed several other mosquito-borne diseases that remain a threat within the U.S. In this blog, we will cover three of the many diseases that were transmitted by mosquitoes in 2016: West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and Zika. All of the information in this post was taken from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s data points and website as of 01/17/2017.

west-nile-virus-wnv-2016-incidence-cdc-map-united-states-01032017.jpgWest Nile Virus (WNV): WNV is the most common virus transmitted by mosquitoes to humans in the United States. WNV is typically transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have previously fed upon an infected bird. While over 150 species of mosquitoes have been known to carry WNV, the main vector species in the U.S. are Culex pipiens, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus. These mosquitoes are all active at night, and most cases of infection occur during the summer months. Approximately 20% of people affected by WNV will experience flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and swollen lymph glands. Other symptoms may include a stiff neck, rash, sleepiness or disorientation. Less than 1% of those infected will develop West Nile Encephalitis or Meningitis, which can lead to coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and even death.

As of January 17, 2017, 47 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes in 2016. Overall, 2,038 cases of WNV were reported in humans, and there were 94 confirmed deaths (4.61%) in 2016. The total is a slight improvement from 2015, where there were 2,060 human cases and 119 confirmed deaths (5.8%). To learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and mosquito species that vector this virus, visit our educational page on West Nile virus.


Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): EEE, also referred to as Triple E, is a rare but deadly illness for humans. Thankfully, only a few human cases of EEE are reported in the United States each year. From 2004 to 2013, an average of eight cases of EEE were reported annually in the U.S. The reason EEE is less common in humans is that the primary mosquito vector (Culiseta melanura), does not typically feed on humans. It is believed that EEE virus is mainly transmitted to humans and horses by bridge vectors that have contracted the virus by feeding on infected birds. Symptoms typically occur four to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito and include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, joint pain, and fatigue. In rare cases, infection occurs in the brain and spinal cord leading to sudden high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, seizures, and coma. The mortality rate of those that develop EEE is about 33%, the highest among human arboviruses (a virus transmitted by arthropod vectors) cases reported in the U.S. Currently, there is no human vaccine for EEE. The disease is also a concern for horses; however, a vaccine is available for horse owners.

Although preliminary, five human cases of EEE were reported nationally in 2016. In 2015, there were six reported human cases of EEE and 50% of those cases were fatal. To learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and mosquito species that vector this virus, visit our educational page on EEE virus.

 

Zika Virus (ZIKV):VDCI_Zika_Fact_Sheet_what_you_should_know_about_zika-1.jpg The Zika virus has been prevalent in the news in 2016, but has actually been around since 1947. In the Americas, it has only been linked to transmission by Aedes aegypti. Ae. aegypti is also responsible for the transmission of dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and chikungunya virus. Recently in Africa, the virus was detected in Aedes albopictus or the Asian tiger mosquito; hence, it is possible that Ae. albopictus could vector the virus in the Americas. If a pregnant woman is infected with Zika virus, it may result in microcephaly, a birth defect causing underdevelopment of the head and brain in newborn children. When symptoms occur, they typically begin with a mild headache and fever. Within a day or two, a maculopapular rash may appear and can cover many parts of the body. Following the rash, people generally report continued fever, malaise, and body aches. Other symptoms can include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Treatment for symptoms includes hydration, rest, and the use of acetaminophen to relieve fever. Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for ZIKV.

As of January 4, 2017, within the U.S., there were 216 cases of ZIKV locally and 4,619 travel associated cases reported to the CDC in 2016. The 216 local cases, from the states of Florida and Texas, have received the most attention from the U.S. media. The U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and several other U.S. territories) experienced a total of 35,021 locally-acquired cases were reported in 2016. VDCI partnered with the CDC in several U.S. territories in 2016 to help combat the spread of Zika virus and will continue to work with the CDC in 2017 to protect public health. To learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and mosquito species that vector this virus, visit our educational page on Zika virus.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Management Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Zika-Carrying Aedes Aegypti: Municipal Mosquito Control Solutions

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Your Partner In Government Mosquito Management

Based on the spread of Zika virus in 2016, many municipalities are revisiting how they prepare for the 2017 mosquito season.

We previously provided an overview on why Aedes aegypti is a species that is challenging the mosquito control industry. Because of these challenges, mosquito management experts continue to explore new methodologies to manage Aedes aegypti populations, with the goal always being to protect public health by providing the best solutions to the unique needs of communities.

Understanding If A Threat Exists: Surveillance, Monitoring, and Disease Testing

As discussed in our recent blog, surveillance and monitoring of Aedes aegypti require specialized trapping methods, and there are some proven models as well as novel trap designs that provide great insight into the presence and population density of a species within a given area. The discovery of Aedes aegypti in a community does not mean Zika is soon to follow. After identifying captured mosquitoes, the next step should be to conduct disease testing to determine if a threat exists within the community.

A Potential Threat Is Discovered – What Happens Now?

If it is determined that a threat of Zika virus transmission exists, either due to a locally transmitted human case or a trap producing a positive test for Zika virus, mosquito management experts will take appropriate steps to aid in the management of the target species in order to protect public health. The best course of action is to evaluate the threat based upon mosquito density, larval habitat availability, and even local human customs and behaviors.

The levels of complexity involved in controlling this unique species reinforces the need for experienced professionals. Not all mosquitoes or the vector-borne diseases they carry are the same, and we must consider many factors before providing an action plan.

Aedes_aegypti_Adult_Mosquitoes

As mentioned in previous blogs, the Aedes aegypti species is particularly difficult to control due to its breeding preferences and day-time activity. For decades, the specific behavior of this species has impacted how mosquito management professionals have approached controlling this threat to public health. In the past, labor intensive strategies such as door-to-door inspections and education have been the primary method used to combat Aedes aegypti. While these methods certainly still have a place in today’s efforts to control Aedes aegypti, mosquito management experts are especially focused on the novel approaches to control this species. Specifically, newly developed delivery methods of biorational larvicides, such as the naturally occurring soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis isrealensis (Bti), a proven larvicide, is a great example of such a novel approach.

Biorational larvicides are utilized to kill the mosquito larvae before they can become adults and spread human pathogens. Historically, the application of Bti was generally site specific, making it labor intensive to control Aedes aegypti breeding in small, artificial containers. However, new product formulations and application technology have made the wide area application of the bacteria possible. In these new formulations, the bacteria is dissolved in water and can reach small containers in backyards or behind commercial buildings to kill mosquito larvae, without an effect on other aquatic organisms. VDCI’s ground-based equipment has the ability to provide this innovative application that allows us to cover more area and do it in less time. Of course, this new application method is just one weapon in our mosquito management arsenal to prevent or manage Zika virus outbreaks, but represents a significant advancement in the ability to control the population of Aedes aegypti in a given community.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Management Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Mosquito of the Month: Culex erraticus

Exploring Mosquito Species

Continuing the theme of mosquitoes of diminutive stature, this month we focus on another small mosquito – the tiny and mighty Culex erraticus.

In contrast to the beautiful, benign Uranotaenia lowii of last month, Culex erraticus is dressed more plainly in rich chocolate brown from proboscis to toe with lighter tan banding on the abdomen. Their size is not to be underestimated; they come equipped with a long proboscis with the business end being swollen. Their bite is regarded as painful, with the added insult of being accompanied by a vector-borne disease at times. Even though sorting through great masses of tiny brown mosquitoes quickly becomes monotonous, these tiny mosquitoes are of great interest to mosquito management programs due to their appetite for birds, large hooved mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and humans.

Unlike the last few stars of the Mosquito of the Month blog, Culex erraticus behaves a little more predictably to the benefit of mosquito control programs. Gravid females (mosquitoes preparing to lay eggs) fly in search of a blood meal at dusk and dawn, often in great numbers, and respond well to the carbon dioxide baited light traps utilized by surveillance programs. Due to their fairly indiscriminate feeding habits, they have tested positively for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus and West Nile virus (WNV), as reported by the CDC. Luckily (if you can count the exception as lucky), these mosquitoes have only been found to be competent vectors of eastern equine encephalitis virus, and don’t seem to effectively spread the other viruses they have been infected with.

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Perhaps to make up for what small space they occupy individually, their range covers a huge swath of land. In the United States, they have been found in mosquito control traps as far north as New Jersey and as far east as Texas, and in every country between our southern border and Peru, with several vacationing on Caribbean islands. Their range focuses around the swampy areas used as their larval habitat. Adult females, after having a blood meal, lay translucent eggs clustered together tightly in a structure called an egg raft that floats atop the water until the eventual emergence of larvae. Culex erraticus larvae bear something of a resemblance to their adult form as far as their coloration goes – they’re chiefly brown with a noteworthy light brown base to their antennae. Once having emerged as adults, they do not stray very far from their swamp, to the benefit of mosquito control.

Though they do not provide the most exciting find in the surveillance lab, these tiny chocolate mosquitoes are a wealth of information to any surveillance program.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Management Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Zika-Carrying Aedes Aegypti: Challenging Mosquito Management

Aedes_aegypti_Adult_Mosquitoes

We recently featured Aedes aegypti, the Yellow Fever Mosquito, in our Mosquito of the Month blog series. In the world of mosquito management, the species is challenging to beat – both as a topic of interest as well as a target with unique behaviors and habitats.

The species has been the focus of much industry news this year because of its ability to transmit Zika virus, a new virus to the Western Hemisphere, that can have effects ranging from mild illness to severe birth defects. This mosquito, as well as many other mosquito species that can transmit human pathogens, has already had an enormous impact on human history. In addition to Zika virus, the Aedes aegypti is also known to carry several other mosquito-borne diseases that have potentially severe medical implications including, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya. The increased awareness of the species, combined with 2016 Zika outbreaks and fears of an outbreak in areas where the species resides, have helped influence social behavior and have had an enormous impact on our global economy. The recent effects are most evident as communities try to determine how to properly fund Zika control efforts to protect their residents and individuals evaluate their family planning timeline and reconsider where and when they travel. With all that fear riding on those tiny wings, proper management of this challenging species and the pathogens it carries is obviously prudent.

What’s the challenge? Why can’t we use the same methodologies implemented with the management of other mosquitoes? The answer: Aedes aegypti, like all species, is unique and it has some behaviors that are different from many of the mosquitoes that we target in our efforts to control nuisance populations and protect public health. A separate approach must be considered for this species in both the adult and larval stages of its life-cycle.When considering best practices for the control of adult mosquitoes, many of the species we target, including those able to carry West Nile virus, actively host-seek at night. Meaning, once the sun sets, these mosquitoes are on the wing, actively searching for a blood meal. Aedes aegypti not only doesn’t actively host-seek, it bites primarily during the day. Aedes aegypti is a weak flyer that remains close to its larval home and uses an ambush style method of acquiring its preferred human blood meal: It waits for a person to enter its area where it can see and sense them. It will then cautiously approach its intended victim and extract its dinner, usually from a lower extremity. At night, we typically target the exposed, adult flying mosquitoes with aerial applications and ground applications using Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) mosquito adulticide. Unfortunately, during these applications, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are resting under leaves and other areas where the pesticide is much less likely to contact them and do its job.

Truck-spraying-treatment

An additional complexity of Aedes aegypti is their preferred environment for laying eggs. The majority of mosquito species seek larger bodies of standing water to lay large numbers of eggs all at once. Aedes aegypti are “container breeders” and lay a few eggs at a time in just about anything that can hold water. The species has evolved to utilize natural containers, like bamboo and tree holes, to manmade containers ranging from discarded tires to backyard flower pots. The high quantity of small containers that the species can turn into a larval habitat requires an experienced team that understands the complexity of larvicide application as well as overall mosquito management for Aedes aegypti.

To control this species, you have to locate many small larval habitats and find the resting locations of the adults. Instead of wide-area applications of larvicides and adulticides that can cover a large area in a short time, it has typically been a much more intimate, labor intensive, and time consuming approach to managing their populations and mitigate disease.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Management Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.