Mosquito tactics are not ‘biting’

I live at Gaspar Grande, usually called Gasparee, an island opposite Carrera, on which exists a beach resort facility.

Mosquitoes, especially the Aedes aegypti, are the most common feature of the island. They reign from sunrise to sunset, they live in the house, outside the house, on plants that catch water, in water tanks, in the neighbouring forests. They bite me despite mosquito coils, insect repellant, bug mats and mosquito nets.

They are all-pervasive.

I cause them to be killed with chemical sprays and the ever present insect mosquito traps (rackets). On average I cause about 100 of them to be killed in an hour and feel sure that my neighbours do the same by the constant electric sound of their rackets.

My father who likes to remain barebacked and in short pants has his body splattered in blood by swatting them on his skin. He tells me this situation has always existed here and while writing this I have seen him slap more than 50 of them on his legs as well as use his racket to kill more.

I have never seen a vector control unit visit the resort for an eradication exercise, but even if one were to do so, it would be an exercise in futility unless the entire island was sprayed. My father sprays malathion inside and outside of the house but that does not do as much, as the mosquitoes simply visit the neighbours who have not sprayed until the effects of the spray wear off.

As a result of my observations on this little island, I find that the minister’s plans and pronouncements as stated in the news that I have heard amount to no more than palliatives to the public.

I end this letter in the hope that not only the minister but perhaps the entire Government may consider an aerial spraying exercise for the entire country, obviously including Gaspar Grande.

EILSE THOMPSON Gaspar Grande