News

The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) has embarked on intensive control measures to combat an expected increase in biting mosquitoes within the next week.

MRCU initiated an aerial pre-hatch larvicide treatment on Tuesday, 18 May 2021 which will provide continuous control of larvae by preventing them from hatching for the next 30 to 42 days.

Similar pre-hatch treatments were completed on both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman during the first week of May.

“This is good news as this is the first time our team has been able to complete this treatment in the last few years. We have also been very fortunate with timing as heavy rainfall followed the operation. As a result, we are seeing large numbers of dead mosquito larvae in the areas we have treated,” said Dr. Alan Wheeler, Acting Director – MRCU.

The expected increase will be island wide and will be controlled by both ground and air control measures.

Dr. Wheeler explained, “Even though we are effectively killing a lot of larvae, MRCU is still expecting a significant increase in biting mosquitoes, starting late this week. This is due to mosquitoes emerging from small areas of remnant swamp that are too small to treat by air. However, we can reassure the public that any mosquito emergences that occur within the next few weeks are expected to be quickly controlled by both aerial and ground control operations.”

Over the next few weeks, local residents may notice MRCU aircraft flying during the daytime and repeatedly in the same area. This is due to the need for narrow flight paths to ensure an even application of the larvicide pellets.

More information on planned mosquito control operations can be found daily at www.mrcu.ky or follow on Facebook at http://bit.ly/MRCUCAYMAN