Why is it important to control mosquito populations?

Controlling mosquito populations is essential primarily to reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are known carriers of various illnesses that can be transmitted to humans and animals, such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, malaria, and dengue fever. By managing their populations, we lower the chances of disease outbreaks, protecting public health and wellbeing.

While protecting the environment, maintaining ecosystem balance, and ensuring healthy populations of birds and bats are relevant concerns, the immediate and most significant reason to control mosquitoes lies in safeguarding against the diseases they spread. Addressing their population density directly reduces the opportunities for these pathogens to infect hosts, thereby serving as a critical public health measure.