BACKGROUND In Europe, Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species known to be a major nuisance as well as a vector of a range of arboviruses. A number of studies have indicated that community participation programmes are an effective pest control tool to reduce mosquito populations. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based approach in Europe. In this study, we examined two Ae. albopictus control strategies that implemented a community-based approach in northern Italy: one was a partial intervention that included a public education campaign and the larviciding of public spaces, and the other was a full intervention that additionally included a door-to-door campaign. This latter consisted of going door to door actively to educate residents about control measures and deliver larvicide tablets for treating catch basins at home. A site where no intervention measures were carried out was used as a control. RESULTS In the site where a full intervention was carried out, Ae. albopictus egg density was 1.6 times less than at the site that received partial intervention, and 1.9 times less than at the non-intervention site. No significant reduction in egg density was achieved in the partial intervention site. CONCLUSIONS In our study, Ae. albopictus populations were most effectively reduced by larviciding both public and private catch basins. Door-to-door education was effective in convincing residents to apply control measures on their property; however, this method was labour intensive and costly. It may be possible to reduce personnel costs by involving volunteers or using a ‘hot spot’ approach

Baldacchino, F.A.; Bussola, F.; Arnoldi, D.; Marcantonio, M.; Montarsi, F.; Capelli, G.; Rosa', R.; Rizzoli, A. (2017). An integrated pest control strategy against the Asian tiger mosquito in northern Italy: a case study. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, 73 (1): 87-93. doi: 10.1002/ps.4417 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/34828

An integrated pest control strategy against the Asian tiger mosquito in northern Italy: a case study

Baldacchino, Frederic Alexandre
Primo
;
Bussola, Francesca;Arnoldi, Daniele;Marcantonio, Matteo;Rosa', Roberto;Rizzoli, Annapaola
Ultimo
2017-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND In Europe, Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species known to be a major nuisance as well as a vector of a range of arboviruses. A number of studies have indicated that community participation programmes are an effective pest control tool to reduce mosquito populations. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based approach in Europe. In this study, we examined two Ae. albopictus control strategies that implemented a community-based approach in northern Italy: one was a partial intervention that included a public education campaign and the larviciding of public spaces, and the other was a full intervention that additionally included a door-to-door campaign. This latter consisted of going door to door actively to educate residents about control measures and deliver larvicide tablets for treating catch basins at home. A site where no intervention measures were carried out was used as a control. RESULTS In the site where a full intervention was carried out, Ae. albopictus egg density was 1.6 times less than at the site that received partial intervention, and 1.9 times less than at the non-intervention site. No significant reduction in egg density was achieved in the partial intervention site. CONCLUSIONS In our study, Ae. albopictus populations were most effectively reduced by larviciding both public and private catch basins. Door-to-door education was effective in convincing residents to apply control measures on their property; however, this method was labour intensive and costly. It may be possible to reduce personnel costs by involving volunteers or using a ‘hot spot’ approach
Integrated mosquito management
Door to door
Education
Larvicide
Surveillance
Europe
Settore AGR/11 - ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALE E APPLICATA
2017
Baldacchino, F.A.; Bussola, F.; Arnoldi, D.; Marcantonio, M.; Montarsi, F.; Capelli, G.; Rosa', R.; Rizzoli, A. (2017). An integrated pest control strategy against the Asian tiger mosquito in northern Italy: a case study. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, 73 (1): 87-93. doi: 10.1002/ps.4417 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/34828
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Baldacchino_et_al-2017-Pest_Management_Science.pdf

solo utenti autorizzati

Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved)
Dimensione 376.76 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
376.76 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/34828
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 21
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 19
social impact