Mosquito Biting Human

Greece has a long history of mosquito-borne diseases (malaria, dengue fever) and there is scientific evidence that some inhabitants have contracted West Nile virus. Especially in Northern Greece where the majority of wetlands and rice fields are located, inhabitants and visitors suffer from an unbearable mosquito nuisance every year for more than 5 months (May – September) and counts of 150-200 mosquito bites per 15 minutes are not unusual. A large-scale mosquito insecticide spray program makes life bearable.

“Wide area mosquito control projects involve survey and applications in natural, agricultural, periurban and urban environment.

A total of about 8,000 sampling stations are established every summer period and checked weekly for larval activity. In addition more than 25,000 private properties (houses and tourist installations) are visited and checked for breeding sites.

The main spraying applications (larviciding) are conducted by four Hiller UE-12E helicopter, and an Ultra Light Motorized (ULM) aircraft. Minor applications are conducted by 15 conventional spraying units, mounted on 4×4 trucks and one low volume fan sprayer unit mounted on a Unimog 4×4 vehicle. For various spot treatments mainly in urban and periurban environment, knapsack sprayers and granule applicators were used.

In total a mean of 100,000 ha are sprayed with larvicides every year. About 80% of this surface is aerially treated. Spraying frequency of rice fields varies considerably from one to five times while this of the natural systems rarely exceeds two times per season.

The positive results of the project are clearly reflected in surveys in the form of questionnaires the company has conducted in 1999 and 2006 in a sample of 1000 inhabitants in 15 communities of the Thessaloniki plain: In 1999 100% of the people considered the mosquito problem unbearable before the beginning of the control project, while 68% considered it medium, small or non-existent after its implementation. In 2006 the results were 48% and 84% respectively.”

Authors: Iatrou, G. and S. Mourelatos.
Affiliation: Ecodevelopment S.A.
Title: Mosquito control in Greece.
Source: International Pest Control. 2007. May/June:66-69.