Fogging fails to provide succour as mosquito menace intensifies

With the onset of summer come the pesky mosquitoes. Fogging being undertaken in a few pockets in the city is ineffective. Experts blame the weather for the menace. 

People in and around Whitefield area are among the worst hit. Fogging being carried out in localities such as Kundanahalli, ECC Road, Thubarahalli and neighbouring pockets have failed to provide any relief.

Nitya Ramakrishnan from Whitefield Rising group said, “Herbal sprays too seem ineffective or are as harmful. One of the entomologists our group spoke to suggested we help restore the ecological balance to bring back insects that prey on mosquitoes, clean the lake to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas and use physical traps.”

Hongappa Raj, a resident of HSR Layout sector 5, said he was forced to keep doors and windows shut even during day time. The problem had worsened in the last one month. Residents in Kumaraswamy Layout, Yamalur, HAL Airport area, Ramamurthy Nagar and Seegehalli also complained of the mosquito menace.

Experts said high temperature was conducive for mosquito-breeding. Fogging was just a temporary relief as it did not destroy breeding areas, they said.

“Mosquito breeding is highest during summer. Warm temperature is exactly what they need to breed. Female mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. Weeds, overhead tanks, swampy areas and stagnant water are their breeding areas. People should ensure that weeds are removed and water is not stored in their houses for a long time,” said Muniswamy Gowda K N, associate professor, entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences.