What does SLCMAD do?
- The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) is an independent local service district that uses Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) to reduce mosquito populations and protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus.
- Visit the Mosquito Control section to learn more about our programs and operations.
Do all mosquitoes bite?
Only female mosquitoes bite. They need protein from blood to develop and nourish their eggs.
Why do I need to care about mosquitoes?
- Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal and some species can carry different mosquito-borne diseases. A common type of mosquito found in Utah is the Culex mosquito which can carry West Nile virus (WNV).
- The most common mosquito-borne diseases that can be found in Utah are West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Western equine encephalitis virus.
- Not only can some mosquitoes carry diseases, but mosquito bites can be itchy, painful, and cause allergic reactions.
Can mosquitoes spread any kind of disease?
No, mosquitoes cannot spread any or every kind of disease or pathogen. Mosquitoes can only carry pathogens specific to them, such as West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue. They do not spread diseases like HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, or the human influenza virus (the flu).
Are the pesticides the district uses safe?
Every pesticide product SLCMAD uses is approved and registered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is safe to use when following the label instructions and correct application rates. Please see the EPA and Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) joint statement on mosquito control in the United States.
Why should I use EPA-approved products?
EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label. This means the active ingredients in EPA-registered repellents work to prevent insect bites and are not harmful when used as directed. This includes assuring that the product does not pose risks to vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women.
Should I put up a bat house to control mosquitoes?
Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes do not make up the sole diet of bats. Studies have stated that mosquitoes make up less than 1% of a bat’s stomach contents. While bats will eat mosquitoes, bats will get more nutritional value per meal from eating larger insects like big beetles or moths compared to a mosquito.
What role do mosquitoes play in the environment?
- Not all mosquitoes spread pathogens!
- Mosquitoes pollinate plants; both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowering plants.
- While mosquitoes do not make up any one animal’s primary diet, they do provide some supplemental food for other organisms like other insects, fish, amphibians, and birds.
- Mosquito larvae feed on organic matter and decaying vegetation, therefore breaking these down and playing a role in nutrient cycling in aquatic habitats.
What are larvicides and adulticides?
- Larvicides are products used to reduce immature mosquito populations. These can be biological or chemical. The district’s mosquito control program is directed primarily at the larval stages of mosquitoes. These activities are contained to a localized area and have a lower impact using this approach since the larvicides used by the district specifically targets the mosquito’s biological systems.
- Sometimes the district will use an adulticide to control adult mosquito populations. This can be necessary when larval control is insufficient or not appropriate. The district uses mosquito surveillance data and detection of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus, in the service area to make management decisions. A small amount of material (between 1/2 to 1 ounce per acre) is atomized into small droplets and broadcast in a fog aimed at where the adult mosquitoes are active. This method can be effective up to 300 feet away with ground applications and even further by aircraft with aerial applications, helping reduce the numbers of biting mosquitoes and the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
