While many people enjoy warmer temperatures, basking in the sun, so does the dengue-spreading Aedes mosquito. It thrives well in temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures mean increased biting rates by female Aedes mosquitoes, increasing the risks of disease transmission. The same higher temperatures speed up the spread of the viruses the mosquitoes carry.
Both increased temperatures and rainfall stemming from climate change will expand the geographical distribution of dengue — increased temperatures shorten the mosquito breeding lifecycle, and more rainfall delivers more places for mosquitoes to breed and the humidity they need to thrive. Researchers in Malaysia are now trialling home mosquito traps to help stem the problem after other methods like spraying became less effective. The traps are filled with an eco-friendly pesticide that reduces fertility. Female mosquitoes then spread the pesticide and offspring are reduced. It's a solution that has already proven effective in Brazil.
The trap is made of inexpensive polyethylene and operates without electricity or any additional extensions. Its design is based on a gravity-fed watering system that effectively dispenses a trap solution for up to two months. With further refinement, scientists anticipate the system will drive down the Aedes population and indirectly reduce dengue transmission.
