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PurposeThe information provided below is to help the public in preventing and controlling

the breeding of mosquitoes - Aedes albopictus, in home and the surrounding areas.

The Mosquito Problem2. Mosquitoes cause great nuisance to man. Some species even pose threats to public

health as vectors of diseases like dengue fever a severe mosquito-borne diseasecharacterised by high fever, headache, rash, joint and muscular pain. Aedesalbopictus, a vector of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever, is prevalent inHong Kong. It breeds both in rural and urban areas and its breeding places can begrouped into two broad categories: artificial receptacles like containers, discardedtyres, lunch boxes and cans; and natural habitats such as tree holes, bamboo stumpsand leaf axils.

Anti-mosquito Programme3. To contain the mosquito problem and to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in the

home and the surrounding areas like rooftops, balconies, light wells, parking areasand gardens, each family member should actively take part in mosquito control. It istherefore necessary for families to draw up their own anti-mosquito programmes forthe place they live.

Objectives4. The anti-mosquito programme aims to achieve the following objectives:-

i) To encourage each family member to part icipate in preventing and containing themosquito problem so as to avoid mosquito breeding in the home and thesurrounding area;

ii) To eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes especially receptacles of all types; and

iii) To arouse the awareness of each family member towards the importance ofmosquito control and to remind them to remain vigilant against dengue fever.

Working Schedule5. As it takes an average of 7 days for eggs of mosquitoes to develop

into adult mosquitoes, potential breeding places in the homeshould be inspected once a week.

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Advice for households

Anti-mosquito measures


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Mosquito Prevention and Control Measures6. Some of the commonly found potential breeding places for mosquitoes and the ways

of elimination are given in the tables below:

i. Inside the flat

Breeding place Cause of problem Remark Flower vases

Saucers forornamental

potted plants

Tray underneathair conditioner

Water kept invases providebreeding place formosquitoes.

Excessive wateringcausesaccumulation ofwater in saucers.

Water may beaccumulated intrays.

Water in vasesshould be changedat least weekly.Clean the interiorof the vases.

Drain away waterimmediately afterwatering.

Drain away waterproperly.

Avoid usingsaucers for pottedplants.

They are usuallyoverlooked duringmosquito surveys.

Control action

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Breeding place Cause of problem Remark

Flower vases

Saucers forornamental potted

plants

Waterstorage

containersTray

underneath airconditioner

Roof gutters andsurface drainagechannels

Water kept in

vases providebreeding place formosquitoes.


Containers placedoutdoors collect

rain water readily.Water may beaccumulated intrays.

1. Structurallydefective roofgutters andsurface drainagechannels holdwater readily.

2. Choked withrefuse or leaves.

Water in vases

should be changedat least weekly.Clean the interiorof the vases.


Cover with lid.

Drain away waterproperly.

1. They should berepaired.

2. Clear leaves anddebris regularly,

at least weekly.

Control action

ii. Rooftop and balcony

Avoid using

saucers for potted

plants.

Water storage

should be replaced

by water pipe with tap.

They are usually

overlooked during

mosquito surveys.

They are usually

overlooked during

mosquito surveys.


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iii.Others (garden, light well and parking area)

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Breeding place Cause of problem Remark

Flower vases

Saucers forornamental pottedplants

Rubbish, especiallydiscardedbottles andcans

Water storagecontainers

Tree holes and

bamboo stumps

Disused tyres asanti-bumpingdevice

Surface drainagechannels

Pond

Water kept invases provide

breeding place formosquitoes.


Collect waterreadily

Containersplaced outdoorscollect rain waterreadily.

Natural water

receptacles.

Rain water andwater from carwashing trappedby tyres.

1. Structurallydefective surfacedrainagechannels holdwater readily.

2. Choked withrefuse or leaves.

Stagnant water

attracts mosquitobreeding

Water in vasesshould be changed

at least weekly.Clean the interiorof the vases.


Keep in disposableplastic bags, whichshould then be tiedup at the openingsand kept incontainers withcover.

Cover with lid.

Drain away the

water or fi ll withsand, mud orconcrete asappropriate.

Puncture with bigholes.

1. They should berepaired.

2. Clear leaves anddebris regularly,at least weekly.

Keep

larvivorous fishin the pond

Avoid usingsaucers for pottedplants.

Water storageshould bereplaced by waterpipe with tap.

Preferably, anti-bumping deviceshould bereplaced bymarking on thefloor.

Control action


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7. Adult mosquitoes found at home can be killed by using household aerosol pesticides.

8. In general larviciding must only be carried out if the breeding sources or potentialbreeding grounds could not be eliminated within one week.

Action checklist9. To facilitate the prevention of the mosquito, a checklist on the breeding place for

mosquitoes and action taken could be prepared for the programme by makingreference to those mentioned in paragraph 6above.

10. Pest control company could be appointed for providing services on mosquito controland prevention. Advice on mosquito prevention could be obtained from the Foodand Environmental Hygiene Department.

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