Section IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF THE MOSQUITO
5-15. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES
Environmental control measures include:
Proper selection of campsites.
Mosquito-proofing.
The destruction of adult mosquitoes.
The control of mosquito breeding.
These measures, which have their greatest usefulness at permanent or semi permanent
installations, may be applied in forward areas insofar as the military situation permits.
a. The Element of Time in Preventive Measures. From 4 to 6 weeks must
elapse before measures to control mosquito breeding will materially reduce the hazard
of malaria transmission. On the other hand, mosquito proofing and the destruction of
adult mosquitoes are immediately effective in this respect.
b. Know the Vectors and Their Habits. Unless the vectors for each area and
their habits are known, the problem of control cannot be undertaken with any degree of
Swamp drainage would be of little value in controlling a vector which
breeds in water collecting in parasitic plants that grow high in trees.
The elimination of an anopheline that prefers feeding on animals other
than man would have little effect on the incidence of malaria.
House spraying with residual insecticides is apt not to be effective if the
mosquito vector does not rest on the treated walls.
For these reasons it is important to seek the advice and services of personnel with
adequate training in the field of medical entomology and malaria control.
5-16. SELECTION OF CAMP SITES
Since the effective flight range of Anopheles rarely exceeds 1 mile, sites should be
located at least 1 mile from any known reservoir of malaria or from any large breeding
area of anopheline mosquitoes, if the military situation permits.
5-17. MOSQUITO PROOFING
Mosquito proofing includes not only screening of doors and windows, but also closure of
all other openings through which mosquitoes might gain entrance.
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