Mosquito Crisis: Call to target larvae over adults

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Our focus should be on destroying mosquito larvae rather than solely targeting the adult population.

This issue was discussed during a recent Muharraq Municipal Council meeting, which was dominated by concerns over the growing menace of mosquitoes.

According to councillors, the blame lies with climate change and thriving gardens, which serve as strong breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Dr. Mohammed AbdulMajeed Al Awadhi, Director of the Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health, attributed the issue to rising sea levels and global warming.

Global issue

"This isn’t a problem unique to Bahrain. It’s part of a global trend driven by climate change,” he stressed.

He added that Bahrain is home to six types of mosquitoes, some of which are found in residential areas while others thrive in swamps.

Dr. Al Awadhi also identified home gardens as a key factor in the spike in mosquito activity. “Standing water left in plant pots and garden containers is one of the biggest culprits,” he said, emphasizing the importance of targeting mosquito larvae over adult populations. He outlined the Ministry’s efforts, which include a public hotline, new treatments, and plans to sterilize affected areas.

Pesticides

Municipal Councillor Abdulqader Al Sayed criticized the current approach to spraying pesticides. “The method being used is inefficient. The company handles complaints one house at a time, even when multiple reports come from the same street,” he said. “A streetwide strategy would save time and resources.”

Council Vice Chairman Saleh Bu Hazza suggested introducing WhatsApp as a tool for residents to report mosquito issues directly to the Ministry.

Councillor Fadhil Al Oud raised questions about the effectiveness of current mosquito control methods. “Have the measures been updated, or are we still relying on the same practices from years ago?” he asked. “The increase in mosquitoes over the past two years compared to ten years ago shows this is no longer just a seasonal issue—it’s becoming a bigger challenge.”

Awareness

Councillor Ahmed Al Moqahwi called for greater efforts to engage the public. “Raising awareness is key to ensuring people understand their role in preventing mosquitoes from breeding,” he said, urging residents to remove stagnant water from their surroundings to support the government’s efforts.

The meeting concluded with a shared acknowledgment that controlling the mosquito problem requires public involvement, updated strategies, and better coordination.