Mosquito fair attracts pest killers

Mosquitoes – small bite, big threat.

This was the warning from Senior Environmental Officer responsible for vector control Dale Holligan as she joined her colleagues and partners of the Ministry of Health for a National Mosquito Fair. The event highlighted the integrated measures that the government uses to control mosquitoes, and encouraged the public to become more involved in mosquito prevention.

“Mosquitoes are more than just a bother; they are among the deadliest creatures out there,”  she warned, pointing to the recent dengue outbreak in Barbados earlier this year, as evidence of the threat they pose.

“We wanted to bring more public awareness to the mosquito population, their breeding habits, life cycle, habitats, and the surveillance and resistance testing conducted by the Ministry of Health,” Holligan told Barbados TODAY.

The event saw participation from Rentokil, Armstrong Agencies, and Massy, demonstrating a collaborative approach to mosquito control.

“It was not hard to get them on board,” Holligan said. “These organisations already work with vector control. It was best to have them here to show the public that it’s not only the government involved; there are other entities and products available for mosquito control.

She detailed practical steps residents can take to reduce mosquito breeding sites, especially with the rainy season approaching. “The first thing people need to do is check around their homes for containers that can collect water. If you need them, put them in areas where mosquitoes can’t reach them. If you don’t need them, discard them,” she advised. “Mosquitoes lay eggs in containers waiting for water. When it rains, these eggs develop into larvae. So, protecting or discarding containers is crucial.”

Holligan also urged residents to inspect their roof gutters, animal water containers, and any natural or man-made depressions where water might collect. “We need to be vigilant about our surroundings and ensure there are no areas where water can settle and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”

Addressing the broader public health implications, Holligan noted that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue, also carries other diseases like chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. “We don’t see yellow fever or malaria here because those diseases are carried by different mosquitoes. However, the threat remains significant.”

Despite ongoing efforts, the senior environmental officer acknowledged the challenges in getting the public to take preventive measures seriously. “People tend to be more responsive after experiencing one of these diseases. Until then, mosquitoes are often just seen as nuisances,” she said.

The event is part of a larger outreach programme aimed at increasing public participation in vector control. “You can expect to see more events like this, possibly in combination with rodent control initiatives,” Holligan confirmed.