FIGHTING MOSQUITOES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 796, 17 October 1929, Page 16

FIGHTING MOSQUITOES

CAMPAIGN ADVOCATED BY DOCTOR COMMUNITY PLAN WANTED Support for the contention that community measures are necessary to lessen the mosquito problem is given by the medical officer of health at Auckland, Dr. T. J. Hughes. BP? view is that co-operation with local bodies and residents is essential for a successful community campaign to reduce the numbers of insects which, besides being annoying, are dangerous as disease-carriers. For the coming summer, Ur. Hughes intends to secure the co-operation wanted for really effective measures. With other experts in investigation into the mosquito problem, Ur. Hughes points to the near-to-homes danger of simple breeding-places in backyards. Mosquitoes can breed in remarkable numbers in small collections of still water, from that gathered in a tobacco tin to that caught in a hollow in a tree-trunk. The more simple breeding-places are those least suspected by a resident. Treatment with kerosene, creasol or lime would be found to be immediately effective in the localities concerned. Even goldfish or minnows established in private and fountain ponds are enemies of breeding mosquitoes. Rank, useless vegetation offering shelter for the insects should be cleared and there should be a vigilapt inspection maintained in local body districts.

The Health Department recommends, among its larvicides, kerosene aod crude oil.