Journal of Mosquito Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 204-214 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 204 Feature Review Open Access Innovative Physical and Mechanical Methods for Mosquito Control Zhongqi Wu , Xiaojie Liu Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Journal of Mosquito Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/jmr.2024.14.0020 Received: 03 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 14 Jul., 2024 Published: 02 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wu and Liu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu Z.Q., and Liu X.J., 2024, Role of climate and environmental changes in mosquito population dynamics, Journal of Mosquito Research, 14(4): 204-214 (doi: 10.5376/jmr.2024.14.0020) Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases continue to be a major public health challenge globally, with controlling mosquito populations being crucial for reducing disease transmission. Although chemical control methods have been widely used, their effectiveness is diminishing due to the development of resistance and environmental concerns. This study explores the rise of physical and mechanical control methods and their potential as alternatives to traditional approaches; comprehensively reviews the development of these methods, from traditional mosquito traps and physical barriers to innovative technologies such as drone-assisted surveillance and ultrasonic mosquito repellents; also includes case studies that demonstrate the real-world application and implementation challenges of these methods in urban and rural areas. The results suggest that while physical and mechanical methods offer promising alternatives, their success relies on integrating them with biological control methods and considering regulatory and educational aspects. Future research should focus on developing new technologies and strategies to enhance the effectiveness and adoption of these methods in mosquito control programs. Keywords Mosquito control; Physical barriers; Mechanical methods; Drone surveillance; Innovative technologies 1 Introduction Mosquito-borne diseases represent a significant global health challenge, affecting over 40% of the world's population and causing millions of deaths annually. Diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus are transmitted by various mosquito species, with Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus being the primary vectors (Jones et al., 2020). The rapid spread of these diseases, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, underscores the urgent need for effective mosquito control strategies (Benelli and Mehlhorn, 2016). The importance of mosquito control in public health cannot be overstated (Salazar et al., 2019). Effective control measures can significantly reduce the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional methods of mosquito control have primarily relied on chemical insecticides and environmental management. However, these methods face several limitations, including the development of insecticide resistance, high costs, and negative environmental impacts (Yakob and Walker, 2016). The emergence of insecticide-resistant mosquito populations has rendered many chemical control methods less effective, necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies (Onen et al., 2023). In recent years, there has been a growing interest in physical and mechanical methods for mosquito control (Benelli et al., 2016). These approaches offer several advantages over chemical methods, including reduced environmental impact and the potential for sustainable, long-term control. Innovative physical and mechanical methods, such as genetic control technologies, the use of endosymbiotic bacteria like Wolbachia, and the development of mosquito traps and barriers, have shown promise in reducing mosquito populations and interrupting disease transmission (Achee et al., 2019). These methods are often integrated into broader vector control programs to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability (Wang et al., 2021). This study evaluates the current state of physical and mechanical methods for mosquito control; highlights their potential benefits and limitations; provides a comprehensive overview of innovative mosquito control technologies; assesses their efficacy in reducing mosquito populations and disease transmission, and identify areas for future research and development. By synthesizing the latest research findings, this study aims to inform public health strategies and contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable mosquito control programs.
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