Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 10

NO MOSQUITOS

NO WORRIES

Author: Amanda Marbourg


October 25, 2018
2

Abstract
This recommendation report discusses the preventative measures that management
could take for mosquitos during the upcoming monsoon season and how to inform tenants
about the Zika virus. Residents of Redondo Village Apartments are concerned about the
number of mosquitos in the complex and the likelihood of contracting Zika. Researched
different approaches to limiting the number of mosquitos and informing the residents about
the Zika virus have been investigated. Research was conducted and concludes that the
following measures can be implemented to reduce mosquito reproduction and Zika risk at
Redondo.

Table of Contents
Introduction-------------------------------------------------- 3

Method---------------------------------------------------------3

Analysis and Discussion-------------------------------------3

Zika Virus------------------------------------------------3

Mosquito Life Cycle and Reproduction----------4

Prevention----------------------------------------------5

Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------7

Reference List-------------------------------------------------8
3

Introduction
Residents from the Redondo Village Apartments have made inquiries about mosquitos
during the next monsoon season as well as the potential dangers of the Zika virus. In this
report, I will outline the problems the building has, steps to decrease the mosquito population,
and information on the dangers of the Zika virus that our residents face. The mosquito
population is an important topic that we should address for the health and comfort of our
residents. Many diseases can be spread through mosquitos (vector born) transmission. Our
residents need to be informed on how to protect themselves and also on the Zika virus that
they are worried about. Fixing some current practices, the building takes could drastically
decrease the number of mosquitos during this next rainy season.
In the past years, mosquitos have been a problem for the apartment building, especially
during the monsoon season. In the past, we have had complaints from tenants about the
mosquito issue and by updating how we handle this situation we will please our tenants and
make the area safer against vector-borne disease. If we do not address this issue, tenants will
get increasingly annoyed at management and could potentially leave. Throughout this report, I
will discuss my plan to address tenant concern of disease spreading. Precautionary measures
are the best way to protect our tenants and assets.

Method
Research sources included peer reviewed articles and government articles from the Center of
Disease Control. I walked the grounds and surveyed the potential problems with the area
looking for ways that we could implement this research within our own building community.
Both primary and secondary sources were included researching this topic. The New Mexico
State University played a major role in the information gathering since they were recently given
a large federal grant to study mosquitos [1].

Results and Analysis


Zika Virus
The Zika virus was first detected in 1947 and was assumed to be harmless. However, as
researchers learned more they discovered that it caused microcephaly in infants. Microcephaly
is a condition when the infant’s head is much smaller than normal and therefore causes brain
damage [2]. If you are not pregnant and contract the virus your symptoms will be mild like a
rash and fever and will go away in a few days/weeks. At the moment, there is no medication
for the Zika virus but most symptoms will disappear with rest and fluids. The main danger is
with women who are pregnant and are trying to get pregnant [8]. However, there is not much
danger to anyone that lives in Bernalillo county.
The main mosquito that spreads most diseases including Zika is the Aedes aegypti. This
mosquito is responsible for the spread of Zika, is more likely to bite humans, and prefers to live
in areas with people like buildings [6]. Wolff and Nielson did not find any of these species in the
Bernalillo county. However, there was a recent report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
stating that they were found in Socorro county [7].
4

New Mexico also had ten cases of Zika disease in 2016 [7]. However, none of these
outbreaks have occurred in the Bernalillo county. A reason for this is because the species only
travels “a few blocks during its life” [6]. This means that the mosquito itself cannot travel to
Bernalillo county. Zika virus should not be any major concern of anyone that is living in the
Redondo Village Apartments.
Sending this information to all of the residents through email and flyers will help better
inform them. Informing them of the very small likelihood of them contracting Zika virus will
allow them to better understand the situation and hopefully put their mind at ease. Since,
residents have voiced their concern about this specific disease I believe that this small
informative measure will insure that residents feel safer.

Mosquito Life Cycle and Reproduction


Prevention of mosquitos could be greatly increased by implementing certain cost-
effective treatments. However, first, we need to look at the different types of mosquitos found
in New Mexico and how they reproduce. New Mexico is home to many different species of
mosquitos, below is a list showing the species found in the Bernalillo County, based on
information found by Wolff and Nielson [9].

Species of Mosquito in Bernalillo County


Aedes Cinereus
Ochlerotatus Campestris, Dorsalis, Epactius, Increpitus, Melanimon, Nigromaculis,
Sollicitans
Anapheles Crucians, Franciscanus, Freeborni/Hermsi, Pseudopuntipennis
Culex Erythrothorax, Quinquefasciatus, Restuans, Salinarius, Stigmatosoma,
Tarsalis, Thriambus
Cs Impatiens, Incidens, Inornata
Ortho. Alba, Signifera
Psorophora Signipennis

Although there are a lot of species, they all reproduce in the same way making it easier
to limit. The Center for Disease Control explains that female mosquitos lay eggs in bodies of
water and can lay up to 100 eggs. Then in up to a few days the eggs hatch and become larvae
than in around 5 days develop into pupae. The pupae development lasts 2-3 days and after
become full adults and leave the water [6]. The main issue with mosquito reproduction is any
little amount of sitting water. They are able to use tiny amounts of water for reproduction
meaning that we must be careful with any sitting water.
5

Fig 1. Mosquito Life Cycle, Center of Disease Control [6]

Preventions
Water is their breeding ground focusing on diminishing the amount of sitting water will
drastically reduce the number of mosquitos. Monsoon season is the worst time since it rains
almost every day. One solution the New Mexico State University (NMSU) research suggested to
decrease the amount of water would be to not water the grass during the days with expected
rain, and only water in the morning on any other days. This will limit the amount of water
released around the apartment building. Only watering in the morning means the water will
have all day to evaporate. This will prevent the water from sitting long enough to facilitate the
mosquito breeding. Another solution NMSU suggests is the use of granular mosquito
prevention, a lawn additive that contains a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis. These
bacteria are “toxic to mosquitoes, but won’t hurt pets, humans or other animals” [1]. In other
words, a harmless way to reduce mosquito reproduction in the wet grass outside the
apartment building. The research also showed that by simply planting bushes like eucalyptus
and lavender around a building can naturally repel mosquitos. Finally, NMSU’s research
suggests that volunteers inspect around the building and grounds, disposing of any trash or
items that could hold water. This will limit other areas that mosquitos could use as a breeding
ground [1].
Most of the grass stays wet all throughout the day and by regulating when we watered
we could greatly fix the amount of standing water. However, I think that this should be
considered a later resort if the change in water schedule doesn’t help because of the amount of
extra work and diligence it would take. We could also add the bacteria to the grass. However, I
6

think that we should talk with distributors and check the prices and from a cost analysis for this
step before implementing it.

While walking around I wasn’t


able to determine the plants that line
the building, shown in the picture
above. Planting lavender around the
building instead of the plants already
there might be a solution that would
help decrease the number of
mosquitos. However, since we already
have plants there I think that it would
be better to add these plants to the
back of the building where there are
no plants, see Figure 3. This would
add beauty to the building and also
add a nice smell while being effective
for the mosquito issue.
Another solution to limiting
mosquitos would be to do “Targeted
Outdoor Residual Spraying” [4]. This
would limit the presence of adult
mosquitos and prevent them from Fig 2. This photo shows just a section of
reproducing. This measure would be at the grass around the apartment buildings. These
a higher cost but is considered quite are large potential breeding grounds, especially if
effective. watering is kept the same way.
However, before we implement this plan I suggest looking at everyone’s screens for
their windows and making sure that they don’t have holes and are secured well [4]. This will
prevent mosquitos from entering the building and is cost effective since it will last longer.
Informing the tenants about the ways they can personally decrease their contact with
mosquitos will also help them. Sending an email to every resident and hanging flyers in the
building informing them of the preventative measures they can take will be highly effective.
New Mexico State University conducted research and determined that the most effective insect
repellent for mosquitos was to use DEET. Products with DEET in them did the best at repelling
the mosquitos during their experiments. However, some might not want to use such strong
chemicals if this is the case they also determined that the smell of essential oils will also repel
mosquitos just not as effectively [1]. Information like this can help residents limit their contact
with mosquitos when they are not inside the building as well.
7

Lastly, the most major issue that I found while


walking the grounds that contributes to a large number
of mosquitos are the drainage pipes and where they
lead. Below is a photo of these pipes a full day after a
heavy rainstorm.
As you can see from Figure 4 and 5, these pools
of water form due to the shape of the drainage blocks.
These cinderblock pools catch all of the rainwater and
it sits there until it can evaporate. This water would
take a long time to drain this way and is deep enough
to allow reproduction of mosquitos. I think this would
be the easiest and most effective solution to the
prevention of mosquitos. By simply taking these out
and letting the water soak into the ground would allow
the removal of the sitting water. Having the rocks
would also prevent the water from sitting there and
help it soak into the ground more evenly.
Figure 3, The East facing side of the
Redondo building

Figure 4 and 5, Pools found under the drainage pipes


Conclusion and Recommendations
 Changing our watering schedule
 Planting plant deterrents outside the building
 Adding bacteria to the grass
8

 Fixing window screens

Simply by changing our watering schedule, planting certain plants, fixing screens, adding
bacteria to the grass, and cleaning up the grounds will prevent the reproduction of mosquitos
during this monsoon season. Informing residents about measures to take like wearing DEET or
essential oils and about the dangers of Zika virus will help residents resist the large number of
mosquitos. These measures will minimize worry from tenants and be long lasting and cost
effective. By following through on the ideas mentioned above, we will help our tenants and
make long-lasting, positive changes on the property.
9

Reference List

[1] Bannister, J., Beasley, D., Baumann, M., & Garcia, K. (n.d.). Mosquito Tips & Research.
Retrieved from https://mosquitotips.nmsu.edu/#bugoff

[2] Hajra, A., Bandyopadhyay, D., & Hajra, S. K. (2016). Zika Virus: A Global Threat to Humanity:
A Comprehensive Review and Current Developments. North American journal of medical
sciences, 8(3), 123-8.

[3] Impoinvil, D. E., & Ahmad, S. (2007, February 20). Comparison of mosquito control programs
in seven urban sites in Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168851007000309

[4] Interim CDC Recommendations for Zika Vector Control in the Continental United States.
(2017, August 31). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/zika/public-health-partners/vector-
control-us.html

[5] Moreno-Madriñán, M. J., & Turell, M. (2018). History of Mosquito-borne Diseases in the
United States and Implications for New Pathogens. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 24(5), 821-
826. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2405.171609.

[6] Mosquito Life Cycle. (n.d.). Retrieved from


https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/resources/factSheets/MosquitoLifecycleFINAL.pdf

[7] Mosquitoes Capable of Transmitting Zika Virus Found in Socorro County. (2017, August 25).
Retrieved from https://nmhealth.org/news/disease/2017/8/?view=620

[8] Questions about Zika. (2018, August 07). Retrieved from


https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/questions.html

[9] Wolff, T. A., & Nielsen, L. T. (2007). The Mosquitoes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University
of New Mexico Press. Retrieved from
http://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n
lebk&AN=407066&site=eds-live&scope=site
10

Вам также может понравиться