Public health
Simple innovation for killing mosquito eggs
With Canadian Government funding, a team of innovators from Canada and Mexico have successfully tested a low cost, environmentally-friendly way of destroying the eggs of the mosquito genus that spreads dengue, and is likely spreading the Zika virus. The 10 month study, conducted in a remote, urban area of Guatemala, shows the successful development and […]
Indoor residual spraying for mosquito control – the importance of training spray operators
Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with DDT began in the 1940’s in Sardinia where full-scale operations were carried out to control Anopheles labranchiae to control malaria. In the Italian campaign, the number of cases of malaria fell from 78,173 in 1944 to 44 in 1950. This led to WHO launching a Global Malaria Eradication Programme in […]
Is there a vacuum in your professional service?
Pest management professionals (PMPs) offer a different service to those engaged in hygiene enterprises and there may be a view that using a vacuum equates with duties provided by such cleaning and janitorial services companies. Clearing an area of debris to assess current pest activity should be the job of a PMP. Leaving behind insect […]
Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes in the US
With the recent revolution in molecular biology many desirable traits can now be engineered into in a wide range of organisms. Genetic engineering of plants and animals is becoming a standard and powerful tool to improve and protect crops and prevent diseases. Transgenic plants have driven the regulatory landscape so far, but other organisms are […]
Biopesticides – new solutions for old problems
Swansea University, South Wales played host to a special Biopesticide conference in early September. Professor Tariq Butt welcomed 195 delegates from 40 organisations and 25 different countries with significant involvement from within the industry to present and share experiences from their work. There were in total 50 presentations given over 8 sessions covering a variety […]
Understanding essential quality characteristics of mattress and box spring bed bug encasements
Bed bug encasements are an essential part of any complete bed bug service package because of their ability to prevent reinfestation of the property once you have effectively treated and eliminated any live insects. Encasements then cut off from their food supply, the human host and any bed bugs that may be hidden in harborage […]
Augmenting the Efficacy of Fungal and Mycotoxin Control via Chemosensitization
Mycotoxins, fungicides and crop production Infection of crops by fungal pathogens, especially those that produce mycotoxins, e.g., aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, patulin, ochratoxins, etc., is problematic because effective fungicides for eliminating mycotoxigenic fungi, especially fungicide-resistant pathogens, are sometimes very limited. Recent data showed that mycotoxin contamination damages around 25% of global food and feed crop production […]
Wolbachia Bacteria and Biocontrol of Arboviral Diseases
Introduction Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks and cause significantly human morbidity and mortality. There are more than 80 different arboviruses that are known human pathogens with dengue virus (DENV) having the greatest impact on humans. DENV is within the genus Flavivirus that also includes medically important viruses […]
