Hyderabad: Mosquitoes continue to be a challenge

Hyderabad: Prevention is always better than cure but preventing vector borne diseases such as malaria is a big challenge.  Repellents and reducing breeding spaces for mosquitoes are almost our only preventive defence against this prevalent and often deadly disease, but mosquitoes have outsmarted us by in time becoming immune to repellents, which cause more harm to humans.

Water puddles, open garbage dumping, stagnant water, and open water bodies are breeding grounds for mosquitoes but they are impossible to eradicate.

Climate change is also said to impact the life cycle of the mosquito; variations in temperatures and humidity cause mosquitoes to breed in large numbers.

Dr Sudarshan Reddy L., senior consultant physician, advises not to keep stagnant water around the house and to spray insecticides and larvicides on stagnant water. “Mosquito nets, mosquito repellent creams and certified repellents must be used as they will help to keep mosquitoes at bay. The best thing is to cover hands and legs completely to avoid mosquito bites,” he says.

Some people use ant killer gammaxene and spread it in the compound and around the house. Camphor mixed in warm coconut oil and applied to the body is said to be a natural repellent.

Electric bats, scented agarbattis and camphor essence are other means we use in our quest to keep mosquitoes away.

Low smoke coils and chemical wrapped paper are said to be effective but can harm humans.

The latest weapon is mosquito repelling plants around the house- lemon grass, basil, rosemary, marigold and peppermint are said to have the required properties. These have to be grown in good numbers to repel mosquitoes, but it’s doubtful they can do the job effectively.