MRCU data shows dramatic drop in mosquitos
(CNS): One sign of dedication in the staff at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit is their willingness to get bitten in the name of science. As well as counting the number of mosquitoes caught in traps each night, they also collect data in the form of bites per minute. “This is when a disease prevention officer goes into an area, such as the swamps, and count how many bites they received in a minute,” MRCU Public Education and Outreach Officer Kevin Watler told CNS.
The department also considers observations from MRCU inspections, as well as public complaints. “We don’t have a great log of public complaints but will change that in the future,” Watler noted. “All of the various ways combined allow the operations managers to decide on operations for the day.”
“Mosquito control is a science-driven process that requires constant vigilance and adaptive strategies,” said MRCU Director Dr Alan Wheeler. “Our team works tirelessly behind the scenes, collecting and analysing larvae from communities, swamps and dykes, and carrying out property inspections. Daily, we count and identify mosquitoes from traps, and our morning meetings are essential for planning our day’s mission based on the latest data and community feedback.”
This is all part of what the MRCU calls “the relentless efforts” of staff members to keep mosquito numbers low this year, ensuring the safety and comfort of the Cayman Islands’ residents and visitors. Those efforts appear to be paying off and the data is showing that mosquito numbers are way down this year.
One key aspect of MRCU’s work is the absence of a fixed spray schedule. “Everything we do is data-driven,” Dr Wheeler explained. “We base our actions on real-time observations and analysis to ensure the most effective and efficient mosquito control measures. This approach allows us to target problem areas precisely when and where interventions are needed.”
The Cayman Islands are home to about 20 different types of mosquitoes. While some prefer birds or other animals, others, like the Aedes aegypti mosquito, pose a risk to human health.
“The Aedes aegypti is particularly concerning because it’s a day-biting mosquito that breeds in people’s yards,” Dr Wheeler said. “This mosquito is the primary vector for serious diseases such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever. With dengue cases rising in the region, our disease prevention officers have been proactively visiting homes, dumping water out of any container that might serve as a breeding ground.”
The MRCU stresses that controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito requires a community-wide effort. “It’s not something we can do alone,” Watler said. “We urge every resident to inspect their property weekly for any containers that can hold water, no matter how small. Even a bottle cap can become a breeding site. If you’re bitten by an Aedes aegypti, there’s a good chance it was born right in your yard or your neighbour’s yard.”
As the new school year approaches, MRCU has intensified its efforts with mosquito barrier treatments to protect students and staff as they return to school. “These treatments create a protective barrier around properties, reducing mosquito populations in the treated area,” Watler added.
MRCU regularly shares updates on its activities on Facebook and LinkedIn, keeping the public informed about ongoing efforts to control mosquito populations.
The MRCU said it remains committed to protecting the Cayman Islands from mosquito-borne diseases and maintaining the quality of life for all residents. “We ask everyone to join us in our mission by staying vigilant and proactive in mosquito control efforts.”
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Category: Health, Medical Health
The proof will be when the real rains come in Sept/Oct.
But overall the situation does seem much improved.
world class. The DG is right!
also helped by lack of rain this summer……
How about keep it simple old school tactics by Cayman government buying 10,000 mosquito zapping fluorescent lanterns that they sell at Walmart etc string em up all over the island and let those mosquitoes 🦟 get zapped cooked 24/7. Keep that mosquito plane ✈️ going as well.
Is this why Cayman has no bees and why the island is not lush with flowers? Does the mosquito spray kill the bees?
You sure you’ve actually been to Cayman? My back yard in town is thriving with bees and butterflies, and my avocado, mango, coconut, ackee, guinep, sweetsop, and cerasee are all doing fantastic. The only “problem” I have is the parrot tax on my mangoes each season, but listening to their daily chatter makes that more than worthwhile.
You must live on a different Cayman.
there are plenty of bees in our yard all year round; perhaps you need to plant more native plants to attract them.
Can you people stop the nonsense and the fearmongering?
The spray truck comes down my road multiple times per month and the plane flies overhead more times than I can count when there are large outbreaks of mosquitos and the next morning every time without fail bees are frolicking and buzzing away in the trees and flowers, I have 10-15 feet away from the road.
If you want bees to be around start planting flowers and flowing trees, if anything is affecting bees its the clear cutting of areas that would provide areas for them to gather food and to build hives such as hollowed out trees, holes in the ground and other areas of the natural environment.
Testing sites limited to Camana Bay? They’re still thick as thieves where I live.
Fun fact, Grand Cayman has 35 different breeds of mosquitos. They were trying to get rid of one.
I remember when we used to have smart scientists working at MRCU who could figure these things out. With the new budget constraints I guess I will have to offer some advice.
1. Could it be that mosquitoes are getting smarter and have figured out how to escape from those same old trap?
2. If you are using a light to attract mosquitoes and every year there are more and more lights fighting for the mosquitoes’ attention wouldn’t it make sense that less and less of them fly over to your trap?
3. Is there a faction of PETI (People for the Ethical Treatment of Insects) in Cayman releasing them from the traps?
4. Is there a correlation between the amount of rainwater that falls and accumulates in places where mosquitoes can breed, and the amount of mosquitoes trapped shortly thereafter?
I just checked the rainfall chart for 2024, no correlation there. LOL.
https://www.weather.gov.ky/weather-statistics-graphics
I am hopeful the corner has been turned and we have made it out of the Malaise Period the previous Director created. Mosquitoes were not a problem when Dr Petrie was in charge. Hopefully under Dr Wheeler MRCU is finally back to being effective at its mission.
Are the traps of the same type and fixed locations as last year? Is there any other data sampling done outside of this limited trap catch? What is MRCU doing differently?
“One key aspect of MRCU’s work is the absence of a fixed spray schedule. “Everything we do is data-driven,” Dr Wheeler explained. “We base our actions on real-time observations and analysis to ensure the most effective and efficient mosquito control measures. This approach allows us to target problem areas precisely when and where interventions are needed.”
In other words, instead of firing blindly into the forest and hoping some of your bullets connect, they are paying closer attention to which bush moves and firing at those, as they may be the most likely spots that the enemy resides.
On another note, I would really love for a creationist to explain why in the hell an all knowing and powerful creator decided to include these little shits in his recipe for creation, not to mention childhood cancer.
Could it be a result of biology and natural selection guiding evolution? Lol no, it’s because of a talking snake. Welcome to the Cayman Islands where we shun Science and praise Jebus.
These questions are answered in this interview. It’s on the @MRCUCaymanIslands YouTube page:
https://youtu.be/WX6RhMxzB-U?si=iolQp-ZKnBLk3MeX
51 views…
The MRCU YouTube has 3 subscribers, and this 1hr20min video 51 views. Why not just answer these three specific questions?
Well, I haven’t had any decrease in the amount of bites I’ve rec’d
That means you or your neighbors are breeding mosquitoes. Please email us at MRCU@gov.ky and we will send someone out to inspect your yard and surrounding area to help you reduce your bites.
I don’t get bites in my backyard, but at outside bars/restaurants along SMB where you should already be targeting to make the tourist experience the best it can be.
Good but sad to hear, thought I was the only one they loved!! It’s all in our good blood, they see us coming. Only have to walk out the door to take garbage out and they show their love bites!