Effectiveness of the Modification of Sewers to Reduce the Reproduction of Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus in Barcelona, Spain

Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in European cities ha...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Montalvo Porro, Tomas|||0000-0002-9060-3205, Higueros, Agustin, Valsecchi, Andrea, Realp, Elisenda, Vila, Cristina, Ortiz, Alejandro, Peracho, Víctor, Figuerola Borras, Jordi|||0000-0002-4664-9011
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:284194
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/284194
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/pathogens11040423
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Mosquito control
Aedes albopictus
Culex pipiens
Integrated mosquito management
Manipulation of mosquito habitat
Invasive Aedes
Descripción
Sumario:Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in European cities has further exacerbated the problems already caused by native Culex pipiens. We tested the effectiveness of modifications to sewage structures as an alternative to the use of biocides to prevent mosquito breeding. The placing of a layer of concrete at the bottom of sand sewers to prevent water accumulation completely eliminated mosquito reproduction, and so eliminates the need for biocides in modified structures. Sewer modification is thus a valid low-cost alternative for mosquito control.