Latest buzz: Mosquitoes invade city

Latest buzz: Mosquitoes invade city
BMP Swings Into Action, Begins Spraying, Fogging
The Times of India

Bangalore: Bangaloreans are really bugged: they want to be free of the mosquito menace. This summer the density of mosquitoes in Bangalore’s three zones — East, West and South — is relatively higher than the previous summer. But even as citizens are experiencing the summer sting, a Mosquito Control Programme is already under way in the three zones and will be intensified from Wednesday.

While all the zones are affected, some areas that face an acute problem are Koramangala, Madiwala, J P Nagar, Banashankari II Stage, Jayanagar, Kamakshipalya, Dasarahalli, Mysore Road, Srinagar, Girinagar, Vrishabhavati Valley and HAL Airport.

BMP sources say Bangalore’s hot temperature between 33 degrees Celsius and 36 degrees Celsius is one of the reasons as it is an “ideal temperature for breeding”.

The high temperature leading to lower water content in the air is also contributing to the problem. “Dry weather and lower water content in the air help mosquitoes hatch, develop and mature faster enabling them to fly soon. This is especially true among younger ones which fly very early to search for new places to hatch eggs. The cycle of breeding begins all over again,” say health experts.

Another reason is lack of rain. This has resulted in stagnant water in many places and consequently, in breeding. “The egg in the water is not washed away. It consequently draws oxygen from the air above the water. This process only furthers the breeding,” experts say.

BMP sources say the mosquito problem is high also because of the stagnation around the cunet, the U-shaped floor of the drains. “The water inside the drain has to pass only through the cunet. But it always happens that the cunet gets covered by silt, debris, plastic, cups, paper, tyres that people throw in drains. This leads to stagnation around the cunet and conditions for mosquito breeding.”

Don’t worry. BMP authorities are into fogging extensively under the Mosquito Control Programme. They are spraying larvaecides like Baytex and Abate in the morning to destroy larvae and the adulticide Pyrethrium extract during evenings and nights to quell the older mosquitoes.

Baytex is being used in drains where there is dirty water and Abate in clean water areas. Pyrethrium extract, mixed with kerosene and diesel, is being used in water in different quantities depending on the mosquito density. All the repellents are being sprayed over a period of six days using a modern power sprayer mounted on a vehicle. While the power sprayer is being used in one zone at the moment, it is expected to be used in the all zones soon.

The spraying, the sources say, should be undertaken both in the heart of the city as well as in the CMCs to control the reverse flow of mosquitoes. While the authorities are using larvaecides and adulticides, they are also involved in storm water drain cleaning and desilting exercises in all zones. While care is being taken at the larger level, BMP says that at the individual level at home, repellents could be used.

AREAS AFFECTED BY HIGH MOSQUITO DENSITY

Koramangala, Madiwala, J.P. Nagar, Banashankari II Stage, Jayanagar, Kamakshipalya, Dasarahalli, Mysore Road, Srinagar, Girinagar,Vrishabavati valley and HAL Airport among others.

MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO SOLVE PROBLEM


Mosquito Control Programme underway
Programme to be intensified from Wednesday
Extensive use of larvaecides
Extensive use of adulticides
Storm-water drain cleaning
Desiliting

CAUSES FOR HIGH DENSITY OF MOSQUITOS

High temperature - 33 to 36 degrees
High Humidity - lower water content in the air
Stagnation in drains - cunets blocked owing to debris

REPELLENTS BEING USED TO TACKLE HIGH MOSQUITO DENSITY

1. Baytex -
during morning hours

2.Abate -
during morning hours

3. Pyrethrium extract -
during evening and night time