Experts and volunteer residents join forces to collect data in an environmentally friendly fight against mosquitos.
LAST SUMMER WAS A MOSQUITO nightmare
The citizens of Bratislava remember the summer of 2020 as a mosquito nightmare. The hot weather, with tropical temperatures, ideal conditions for the insects to reproduce. People in the capital were plagued by thousands of mosquitos which swarmed the city, ruining the summer. The city, however, found a way to resolve the issue in an environmentally friendly way.
MOSQUITO HUNTERS
The city began using a biocade, called BTI, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical sprays. However, this only works before larvae turn into adult mosquitoes. This means that it is necessary to monitor the area extensively in order to ensure that the biocide is applied in time. This is where the mosquito hunters come in. The city has launched an inventive campaign which calls for volunteers to work alongside experts to collect much-needed data.
SAVING THE SUMMER
More than 100 volunteers have already signed up. Armed with the necessary equipment, they work alongside experts, helping to survey the hatching sites in the forests and fields, and collecting the necessary data. The data is then evaluated by a team of experts who decide when and where to apply the BTI. The more data is collected, the more effective the fight against the unwanted insects and, ultimately, the more pleasant the summer for all of Bratislava’s residents.
