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The Asian tiger – a mosquito with an exotic sounding name, Aedes albopictus, vicious biting habits and the potential to carry and pass along several deadly and debilitating diseases with a single bite.
Easily identified by its distinctive white striped legs and body, the Asian tiger mosquito, originally from South East Asia, was accidentally introduced into the U.S. via a shipment of used automobile tires bound for Houston, Texas (1985). The species has since thrived in both urban and suburban environments and is now well established in more than 36 states. Officials believe the chances of eradicating it from the U.S. are now remote and the Asian tiger mosquito looks set to become a permanent fixture in America.
Which is alarming health officials, because the Asian tiger is a known vector, or disease-bearer, of over 30 arboviruses including Dengue, West Nile Virus, Rift Valley fever, Encephalitis, and Chikungunya fever. And what really concerns them is the potential health threat from one particular disease – West Nile Virus (WNV). Carried by birds and spread by infected mosquitoes, it has killed hundreds of millions of birds and more than 1000 people in North America, with new outbreaks occurring each year. It was unheard of in North America until 1999, but has since spread to 48 states. In 2009 Pennsylvania alone is spending $7 million to battle WNV.
West Nile Virus
Most people with WNV will only ever experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands which generally last 3-6 days. However in rare instances there can be very severe complications. The infection can lead to convulsions, coma and death. And even if a severely infected person survives, there is a good chance of permanent neurological damage.
There’s no specific treatment or way to protect against West Nile Virus as there is currently no vaccine – although research is underway to develop one. Experts urge everyone to take sensible precautions such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellents containing DEET. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend preventing the bite as the best protection.
Effective DIY mosquito control measures include:
Eradicating popular mosquito breeding sites from around your home and workplace i.e. standing water, however little, and
Daily trapping during the season as this interrupts breeding cycles, dramatically reducing mosquito numbers.
Mosquito traps that take advantage of mosquitoes’ sensory abilities by tricking them with features that mimic the smells and visual stimuli associated with humans and animals, have proven to be the most effective. The idea is to make these traps attractive to mosquitoes by emitting CO2, octenol, heat, or light – or a combination of those to lure mosquitoes in. They come in to check out the prospective meal, get sucked in by a fan then trapped in a container where they die!
One company, Envirosafe Technologies, set out to build the best mosquito trap on the market; conducting extensive research and a worldwide testing program to achieve this. They engaged Professor Yap Han Heng from the Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia to advise on, and test trap designs in South East Asia. One of the primary objectives was to develop a trap which would attract and capture the Asian tiger, which are aggressive, often attack in packs and unlike most mosquitoes, bite during the day.
Battling the Tiger
Researchers and mosquito control officials have been battling the Asian tiger for decades now. Recent advances in their understanding of the Asian tiger’s biology were presented at the first “International Symposium on the Asian Tiger Mosquito.” Organized and hosted by The Center for Vector Biology (Rutgers University NJ, USA) it attracted 170 participants from 15 countries and 30 US states.
It seems there is no single solution that will rid you entirely of the little biters. However, if used in conjunction with other sensible control measures, a good mosquito trap is a pretty effective weapon for use in an open space like a back yard. And while traps won’t permanently eliminate mosquitoes in the area, most experts agree on their use in conjunction with other traditional precautions.
“For the most part, these products do what they claim” says AMCA technical advisor Joseph Conlon. “These companies are really serious about it and are backing it with sound science.” (The Gazette, Jul 12, 2004)
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