War against mosquitoes commences

WATCH out for the buzzing of mosquitoes next summer - health officials predict a plague because of their growing resistance to insecticides and warmer weather.

The latest checks showed the bugs are surviving the winter in underground parking lots and air-raid shelters. Officials found mosquitoes living in 19.44 percent of the 283,215 square meters of parking garages and in 12.12 percent of the 30,373 square meters of air-raid shelters.

Mosquitoes can spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis.

"With the drop in temperature, more mosquitoes will stay in underground spaces. We are studying the problem and plan to cooperate with housing management authorities to organize eradication campaigns," said Jin Peiwu, vice director of Shanghai Patriotic Health Campaign Committee. "The overall number of mosquitoes may be higher next year, but we can control the pest before the peak season in July. The first anti-mosquito campaign is expected to begin in January.

"We successfully lowered the density of mosquitoes this year, even though we forecast in February there would be twice the usual number," he said.

Control methods include introducing the fish gambusia, which feeds on the insect's larvae, to fountains and streams and using insecticide.

"We are training officials in subdistricts and people in local pest control companies about the proper use of insecticides, which should be rotated to prevent drug resistance," Jin said.