Mosquitos out in force after rain stalls prevention
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit has said that its usual prevention and mitigation efforts to keep the pest numbers down were limited through mid-April due to high winds and rain. As a result MRCU is warning the public to “expect significantly higher numbers of mosquitoes” this week as a result of that wet weather. While aerial larviciding operations in most areas flooded have resumed adult mosquitoes are still expected to be emerging over the next ten days.
People can expect a miserable time day and night as the large day-biting mosquito species known as the dark ricefield mosquito or the glades mosquito (Psorophora columbiae) has already emerged from flooded grassland areas, and adult black salt marsh mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus) are also causing a biting nuisance. This species can occur in very high numbers and is the primary nuisance mosquito in the Cayman Islands.
The MRCU has continued aerial larviciding operations targetting the larvae, but as of Monday the focus switched to the adults doing the biting. Despite these efforts, the numbers are expected to remain high for at least the next week or so.
Director Alan Wheeler apologised for the emergence and the obvious inconvenience. “We can assure the public that the MRCU is actively working to minimise the impact of mosquitoes,” he said.
In the meantime, people are urged to minimise outdoor activities between 7pm and 9pm but when outside apply a DEET or Picaridin-based repellent. The public is also reminded that dog heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a significant health risk to dogs.
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Category: Health, Science & Nature
High winds ? What , 15 mph?
If you have plant pots and drip trays around your house, inspect for larvae and either empty if you can, or nuke ‘em with a few drops of regular dish soap. We have some info, now it’s up to everyone to do their part. Don’t blame MRCU for the conditions in your own yard.
So if swamp mozzies bite me in my yard me and my neighbour are responsible!
Where is Bill Petrie???
Miami Dade Mosquito Control
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/solidwaste/mosquito/home.page
Nothing says Welcome Back to our stay over visitors better than swarms of hungry mosquitos.
How much money did CIG spend on the Oxitec deal and what did we get a refund? Their tech obviously did not work. All we ended up with is a ton of GMO mozzies that are even bigger and more ravenous than before.
It actually would have worked but all you ignorant people kept screaming to stop because the mosquitoes have herpes or some shit. The trial never was able to be properly executed to prove its worth.
The trial in Florid seems to have worked. EPA approval for 2 rollouts; Florida and California.
Of course that exercise was for a regional concentration of one, of 20-odd endemic mosquito species, and for just a single season, a few years ago, but let’s not let facts get in the way of showing off your density.
The project was not aimed at black swamp mosquitoes.
There’s a Company who spray some garlic based organic product, highly recommended especially if you have pets and like pizza.
Works really well
https://www.mosquitosolutions.ky/
Like Russia MRCU needs regime change. Bring back Petrie from Miami Dade. Stop the fool fool now !!
So suspected murders can get bail and mosquitoes breed freely. Somehow a soliloquy…
Maybe if we had a working radar MRCU would know when the rain is coming and could take some preventative measures.
At least something Caymanian remains – mosquitos!
At least they’re plenty of diversified blood on island for them to feed off!
They can’t sell the mozzies too albeit I’m sure they would if they could. $$$
The out-of-control mosquito situation has more to do the the dysfunctional state of affairs at MRCU than inclement weather, which is a fact of life in Cayman. The buck stops with the Director. Period.
Sounds tough from your armchair, but maybe explain how their pilot is supposed to lay down targeted spray in a defined area flying at 95mph in a 30mph crosswind? They are out in the trucks fogging.
You’re an apologist for the MRCU sh*t show. You work for them by any chance??
I don’t, but I am a pilot and know they do important thankless work and are transparent about what they use, with all material safety fact sheets available on their website for years. Still doesn’t stop the alt-fact conspiracists and armchair experts that have never flown anything apart from baseless criticisms.
Except that they aren’t.
Call them
Yep, 9:26, you nailed it.
Shocking mismanagement at the top led to good staff leaving after years of hard work. Karma is a biting mosquito!
Can we develop a plane that works in the rain, maybe OfReg could advise.
Won’t do it much good without the chemicals to spray or the crew to fly the aircraft tho. Rain and wind my ass.
It’s not the airplane, it’s the controlled application of the spray/pellets it’s hauling in gusting crosswinds. Why don’t you go up and show us how it’s done at 100kts 25 feet off the deck.
Skiddas!
Ah so happy to see the MRCU Time Machine is back in action.
Taking Cayman back to the Seventies for the 4th year in a row.
#WorldClass
Thank you captain obvious. How are you managing with one pilot and two planes is what we want to know. Why are you still not running at full capacity?
Won’t hire non Caymanians, and you can count the qualified Caymanian pilots on the fingers of your left foot.
another nonsense update from cig and the civil service….
civil service incompetence is never ending
Who cares? I’ve got a job for life!
Hah! And if you steal, accept bribes etc. you get sent home with full pay for years!