Vector control
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For vector control of induction motors, see Motor controller
Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the vectors of vector born diseases, for which the pathogen (e.g. virus or parasite) is transmitted by a vector which can be mammals, birds or arthropods, especially insects, and more specifically mosquitoes.
The most frequent type of vector control is mosquito control, which uses a variety of strategies, four of which are:
- Habitat control: stagnant water is avoided, by removal of old tires, empty cans etc., and better management of used water;
- Insecticides, spread over mosquito breeding zones, sprayed in houses, or impregnated in bednets;
- Introduction of sterilised male mosquitoes, in order to reduce the vector breeding rate.
- Larvicides.
The first method is to be recommended whenever possible for its cost-effectiveness.
Used worldwide in mosquito abatement programs since 1965, temephos is the standard of mosquito larvicides.
