Mosquito larval control practices: past and present

Abstract

Pestiferous mosquito problems and control solutions were reported as early as ancient Greek literature. In the 19th century, it was discovered that these same mosquitoes carried diseases (malaria, dengue) that had until then been attributed to "dirty" water and swamp gases. Until relatively recently, in both urban and rural areas in the United States, the lack of effective mosquito control often drove humans and animals indoors or into nearby rivers to escape the hordes of blood-sucking mosquitoes. Early mosquito control methods included source reduction, mosquito-eating fish, and chemicals. These methodologies continue today, in a much more sophisticated manner, but following the principles first laid down by early 20th century medical entomologists such as L. O. Howard. This article explores mosquito larval control practices from the 1900s to the present.