Try biological way to control mosquito population: VC Thiruvalluvar University

Chennai: Can man never win the war against mosquitoes even though there are several insecticides and repellents? If biological research on the vector’s existence is intensified, mosquito management could be accomplished, without affecting the ecosystem, say entomologists.

K. Murugan, vice-chancellor, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, said, “Chemical insecticides used to control mosquitoes could tentatively help, but will have ill consequences. Sprayed in water bodies, it would affect the animals when they drink it.”

Laying emphasis on biological methods, he said: “Using biological insecticides from extracts of neem leaves, tulsi, curry leaves, thumbai, eucalyptus and pungam oil would help at a macro level.”

Besides the efforts of the civic bodies, general public has an equal role to play to control mosquito population. “Knowing the life science of the mosquito would create awareness among people.

“Aedes aegypti breeds on water and on the sides and lids of a container. It could withstand environmental conditions and can hatch even after a very long period. So, cleaning the container is as important as draining the water,” said Murugan.
Professor of Botany, PVKN College, Chittoor, Sujana explained about the fast evolution of mosquitoes. “The population of frogs and some bird predators that prey on mosquitoes are fast depleting due to pollution in water bodies. Man cannot eradicate mosquitoes as they form a biological cycle,” she said.

“Climate change is another reason for the population increase. Being vectors, they can resist high temperatures and pollution unlike sparrows,” she added.

“Cotton ball worm in agricultural ecosystem and locust grass helicopter in dessert are other two vectors that are mushrooming. Both of them are capable of destroying green cover on a large scale,” added Murugan, who is working on Nano-insecticide methods to keep a check on mosquito population.