Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM)
What is Integrated Mosquito Management?
Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) is a comprehensive, surveillance-based strategy for mosquito prevention and control. It uses a mix of different methods, either by themselves or together, to lower mosquito numbers and protect the environment. (Source: American Mosquito Control Association)
IMM includes five key parts:
1. Engaging the Community
Community engagement involves ongoing interactions between mosquito control programs and the public to:
- Create trust
- Increase knowledge
- Build relationships
- Understand citizen perceptions and behaviors
- Encourage citizen participation
2. Surveillance-Driven Approach
Surveillance—monitoring mosquito populations, both local and non-native—helps identify potential outbreaks early. This early tracking helps justify funding and shows where there might be a risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes. Clear action steps should be set based on the data collected.
Surveillance is collecting information about mosquito numbers, location, and species in the county through:
3. Physical Control
Physical control methods aim to reduce mosquito breeding sources. Community members can help by:
- Getting rid of standing water
- Leveling uneven ground
- Cleaning ditches so water can flow
- Throwing away containers that hold water
4. Larval and Adult Mosquito Management
This part uses several tools, like source reduction, biological control, and targeted insecticide applications.
Knowledge-Based Strategies:
- Understanding flight ranges
- Comprehending mosquito life cycles
- Identifying feeding preferences
- Recognizing local mosquito species
- Knowing peak activity or flight times
- Understanding habitats and preferences
- Awareness of breeding cycles and times
Using Resources Wisely:
Because resources are limited, efforts focus on areas with the biggest impact. Priorities are based on:
- How many people live near Utah Lake
- Known mosquito breeding areas
- Water levels and habitats around Utah Lake
Intervention Thresholds
Action is taken when certain limits, or thresholds, are reached, based on:
- Resistance situations to insecticides
- Disease transmission history
- Political considerations
- Species of mosquitoes
- Historical tolerance levels
- Surveillance tools utilized
- Time of year
5. Monitoring for insecticide efficacy and resistance
Regular testing helps ensure insecticides are still working and shows if mosquitoes are becoming resistant. This helps provide the best protection for the public.