What is source reduction as it applies to mosquito control?

What is source reduction as it applies to mosquito control?

• A. Source reduction is the elimination of mosquito breeding sites by physical alteration or management of water. This commonly requires removal of artificial water-holding containers in communities, filling, deepening, draining or management of water levels of known mosquito breeding sites. Source reduction does not require the use of insecticide. Source reduction is often a long term solution of a mosquito breeding problem.
• B. Source reduction is achieved by spraying insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes.
• C. Source reduction relies on introducing predators only.
• D. Source reduction is the same as using larvicides.

Answer: (A)

Source reduction means removing or altering the places where mosquitoes lay eggs so they can’t develop into adults. It focuses on physical changes to the environment and water management—like eliminating artificial containers that hold water, filling in depressions, draining standing water, or regulating water levels in known breeding sites. Because it stops mosquitoes from being produced rather than killing them after they hatch, it’s a long-term, preventive approach that often reduces or replaces the need for chemical controls.

The other ideas describe different methods. Spraying insecticides targets adults rather than eliminating breeding sites, so it’s not source reduction. Relying solely on predators is a form of biological control, not habitat modification. Using larvicides treats the larvae in the water but doesn’t remove or modify the breeding sites themselves, so it isn’t source reduction either.