Vector control

Vector control comprises measures that reduce the abundance, survival, or pathogen transmission of organisms such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies.

Insecticide-treated mosquito net: A bed net treated with insecticide that protects sleepers from mosquito bites and can kill mosquitoes contacting it. It blocks nighttime bites while exposing mosquitoes to insecticide.
Malaria control: Public-health measures that reduce malaria transmission and illness caused by Plasmodium parasites. Mosquito control is a central way to reduce malaria transmission.
Arthropod vector: An arthropod that transmits an infectious agent between hosts, either biologically or mechanically. Mosquitoes and ticks are arthropod vectors targeted by many control programs.
Insecticide resistance: An inherited reduction in an insect population's susceptibility to an insecticide. Resistance can weaken widely used chemical control measures.
Wolbachia: A genus of bacteria that naturally infects many arthropods and can alter host reproduction or pathogen transmission. Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes can reduce dengue transmission, but deployment requires ongoing evaluation.
Indoor residual spraying: Application of long-lasting insecticide to indoor surfaces where disease-carrying insects rest. It targets mosquitoes resting on walls after feeding.
Dengue control: Public-health measures to prevent dengue virus transmission and reduce disease burden. Aedes mosquito control targets the vectors responsible for dengue spread.
Vector-borne disease: An infectious disease transmitted by a living carrier such as a mosquito, tick, or fly. Control aims to interrupt transmission pathways for these diseases.
DDT: A persistent organochlorine insecticide historically used in agriculture and disease-vector control. Its malaria-control use became entangled with environmental harm and policy disputes.
Oxitec: A biotechnology company that develops genetically engineered insects for pest and vector control. Its mosquito releases have prompted debate about testing, monitoring, and public consent.

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