Project ID: 2006DE72B

Title: Sustainable Mosquito Control for Stormwater Ponds

Project Type: Research

Start Date: 06/01/2006

End Date: 02/28/2007

Congressional District: At large

Focus Categories: Surface Water, Wetlands, Ecology

Keywords: infectious disease, west nile virus, control measures

Principal Investigator: Gingrich, John

Federal Funds: $1,750

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $3,500

Abstract: Stormwater ponds have been identified as a significant breeding ground for not only nuisance species of mosquitoes but also the mosquitoes that act as virus vectors for the West Nile virus. The focus of this research is on retention ponds. Retention ponds are responsible for the management of runoff and flooding, and therefore are considered permanent ponds. The stagnant water and damp mud in retention ponds are not the only attraction for mosquitoes. The heavy vegetation surrounding the ponds serves as protection and the decaying vegetation may promote production of food sources for the mosquitoes. Of the 56 species of mosquitoes that live in Delaware, seven or eight of them, including Culex and Aedes group members, are carriers of the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus passes from the mosquitoes to birds and then to humans by way of vector mosquitoes. There are several options to help prevent this deadly virus from affecting our lives. One option includes the continual application of pesticides. One problem with pesticides is that it will use a number of resources including money and manpower. Pesticides may also kill non-target organisms, such as predators of mosquitoes. A second option is to find an alternate solution to reduce the mosquito population. By understanding mosquito biology, it will be feasible to find a method which will control the mosquito population and have a low-impact on the environment specifically, non-target organisms.

Progress/Completion Report, PDF