Biological control of mosquitoes

Containment of mosquitoes in the territory of the Natural Park of the Avigliana Lakes and the Municipalities of Avigliana, Villar Dora, Trana, and Sant’Antonino di Susa

The project for biological control of mosquitoes is implemented with the aim of containing the number of Culicidae (mosquito) individuals in the area. It makes use of a specific law of the Piedmont Region, Law No. 75/95, which has established that 50% of the funding is borne by the Municipalities, and the other 50% by the Region.

The containment is carried out on mosquito larvae after identifying their breeding sites (hotspots) using an active ingredient, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.), harmful only to certain families of dipterans.

Treatments for extra-urban species usually start in April and end in August-September. Hotspots are constantly monitored before and after treatments in order to intervene promptly and calculate the larval mortality rate. To track the number of mosquito females (only females feed on blood to lay eggs), specific traps with carbon dioxide are installed in selected stations in the treated area.

Treatments for urban species (Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus or Asian tiger mosquito) begin in May and end in August-September with interventions on street drains and urban hotspots like the Rivoli canal when it is shut down for maintenance work. To monitor the Asian tiger mosquito, specific ovitraps are placed in the four Project Municipalities since this species moves little and cannot be controlled otherwise.

To combat urban mosquitoes, given that most of their hotspots are in private properties like vegetable gardens and yards, the population is provided with a larvicide product based on B.t.i. along with instructions for use. Information is also provided by the staff of the Avigliana Park and by the Project Coordinator in person, over the phone, and via email. Public awareness is also raised through lessons in elementary schools and on-site, as well as informational booths during events and markets.

The video

A tutorial video has been created that, starting from instructions to build a mosquito trap with recycled materials, teaches how to understand mosquitoes and limit their presence. It was produced by Laura Grandin, Francesco Signorello, Giovanna Mazzoni, and Luca Anselmo under the scientific supervision of Giovanna Mazzoni and 3 Valli Ambiente e Sviluppo.

Project Coordinator

Giovanna Mazzoni

Project Duration

Since 1995 and ongoing 

Relevance

Local

Further Information on the Web

http://www.comune.avigliana.to.it/index.php/ambiente-ed-energia/132-zanzare

http://www.comune.villardora.to.it/vila/amministrazione-trasparente/pagamenti-dell-amministrazione/informazioni-ambientali

http://www.zanzaratigreonline.it

http://www.epicentro.iss.it/problemi/zanzara/zanzara.asp