An America Without Mosquito Control

Malaria – As late as 1934 there were 125,566 cases in the US. Without mosquito control, malaria might reestablish from tourism and immigration.
Yellow fever – summer outbreaks in coastal cities along Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard north to Boston, into upper Mississippi River valley throughout the 19th century.
Dengue fever – current problems in southern Florida and along Texas border; extensive outbreak in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Chikungunya virus – outbreaks throughout Caribbean and northern South America; imported cases in several states. Potential for emergence and spread in southern tier of states.
Encephalitis viruses – Over 36,000 cases from 1999-2014; almost 16,000 cases of neuroinvasive disease causing permanent disability; over 1,500 fatalities.
Rift Valley Fever and Chikungunya virus are currently spreading to Europe and elsewhere. Species of mosquitoes that transmit these diseases are commonly found in the United States.

Documented cases of caribou in Alaska being asphyxiated from inhalation of mosquitoes.
Native Americans historically moving from lowland areas on the eastern seaboard to inland mountains to escape mosquitoes.
A female mosquito can produce over 400 million progeny in a single season even if only 25% of each generation survives.
Traps set in the outskirts of the Everglades and barrier islands have recorded nightly catches in pounds. One pound of mosquitoes = 1,095,440 mosquitoes. Landing rates of over 100/min are commonly recorded in salt marshes and areas bordering rice fields prior to control operations and 500/minute in the Everglades..
Parents having to console a 6-year-old’s attempts to fall asleep when the he has 30 fresh mosquito bites from playing in the backyard for 15 minutes earlier this evening.
People having to stay indoors on glorious, warm, balmy evenings; constantly lathering up with sticky repellents; or wearing long-sleeves and long pants during hot weather.

Horses: over 25,000 horses dead from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile virus (WNV) 2000-2007
Dogs: canine heartworm transmitted by Culex mosquitoes
Large birds (Bald eagles, ostriches, emus, etc.) and zoo species killed by EEE and WNV
Endangered species: EEE killed 7 of 39 whooping cranes in Maryland in 1984.
WNV impacts on endangered species and avian niches in ecosystems: Florida Scrub-Jay, California Condor, Whooping Cranes and various raptor species.
WNV killed more than 300 alligators in zoos since 2000

Tourist destinations are in some of the nation’s worst mosquito habitat along coastlines and in state/national parks.
Outdoor recreation (hiking, camping, etc.) usually occurs in prime mosquito habitat. The diaries of Lewis and Clarke have numerous references to the excruciating problems mosquitoes caused in pristine wilderness habitat.
Reduced attendance at outdoor events such ball games, car races, picnics, fireworks displays, reunions, concerts, parades, graduation or wedding ceremonies, drive-in movies, etc. as unchecked mosquito numbers make these activities increasingly uncomfortable.
Higher beef and dairy prices. Studies show that the annoyance of large mosquito populations significantly lower beef production and dairy output.
Development of prime real estate in many areas will be inhibited – without mosquito control many people would not be living where they presently do!
Equity and land values would plummet in many areas if modern-day mosquito control were to disappear.

Setting the Standard of Care in Vector Management.