Overview

Elimination or modification of larval habitats are practiced on a small or large scale. Areas are drained or filled in to eradicate breeding sites. Marshy areas are digged out to create impoundments containing uninterrupted standing water, which is unsuitable as a larval breeding habitat for many species. Nowadays the impact on the ecosystem limits the practicability of these control measures.
Other devices are the use of covers or screens to prevent egg deposition in domestic water containers or cisterns.
Chemicals offer a different approach. Oils, Paris green (copper acetoarsenite), or actives such as organophosphate and carbamate insecticides have been used. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as Dimilin (diflurobenzuron) or Altosid (methoprene) have been applied.
All chemicals have to be repeatedly sprayed, due to little, if any, long-lasting effect.
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) is used as microbial insecticide, with its spores containing a crystalline endotoxin which induces the lysis of midgut cells of the larvae.
Other biological control in form of larvivorous fish (e.g. Gambusia) and other agents, has not proved to be very effective in reducing biting densities of mosquitoes or disease transmission.
In the case of mosquitoes as pests and disease vectors for man and companion animals, in general larval control is impractical and hardly effective.