Why Can’t We Kill All Mosquitoes?
WouterConsidering the role that mosquitoes play in ecosystems, it may be surprising to learn that they have never been entirely eliminated. In fact, some species have co-evolved as predators for mosquitoes.
These insects feed on a wide variety of organisms, including microorganisms and detritus. They are also pollinators for thousands of plants. Without mosquitoes, thousands of plant species would die out.
Mosquitoes can also spread dangerous diseases such as yellow fever and dengue. These diseases kill more than one million people worldwide annually.
Mosquitoes can be found in every country on Earth. In some countries, the economic burden of fighting mosquito-borne diseases is enormous.
Mosquitoes have been around for over 100 million years. They are the deadliest animal on the planet, causing more human deaths than any other species. They can carry a variety of diseases including dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and malaria.
Some scientists believe that the only way to completely eradicate mosquitoes is through genetic modification. Scientists have already created a lethal mutation in mosquitoes that mates in water and produces offspring that die before they reach the next generation.
However, the goal of eradicating mosquitoes completely is not a realistic possibility. Instead, scientists are focusing on developing control tools to prevent mosquitoes from spreading diseases.
One of these control tools is deltamethrin, which is used to control adult mosquitoes in Canada and is recommended by the World Health Organization. These mosquito control tools are less harmful to the environment than the chemicals used during the days of DDT.
