A house is not fully furnished if it does not have an aquarium. It's impossible to put into words what a house with an aquarium is like. Aquariums are also believed to bring good vibes to the places they live in beyond adding beauty. It is rumored that some fish are selected just because of the synergy they produce.
Children at home love fish because they are their best friends. Brightly colored fish are appealing to play with. Observing fish is a great way for children to develop their concentration skills. When you are glued to a gadget for a very long time, gazing at an aquarium for some time does help soothe your eye.
The beauty of understanding nature is that it has given us so many things that enrich our lives. Nature has solutions to all our problems regardless of our awareness. Fishing is one solution to mosquito nuisances around us.
Source: InterPress Service
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
After the monsoon starts, mosquitoes start roaring. We are still finding the best way to combat mosquitoes, which carry a lot of diseases threatening mankind. Mosquito-borne diseases typically spread after a mosquito bites an infected person. Furthermore, mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting some diseases, such as chikungunya, dengue fever, malarial fever, as well as some rarer ones like yellow fever and Zika virus.
How to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
People are more likely to get mosquito bites during the rainy season. For this reason, it is necessary to use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved clothing to avoid mosquito bites.
Make sure you do not walk through dirty water and do not let stagnant freshwater collect around your home as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Don't forget to use screens on your doors and windows, and to fix any broken or damaged screens as soon as possible. Close unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
If there are children at home, make sure to cover beds with mosquito netting.
Reduce time spent outdoors in the early morning or evening, when mosquitoes are most active.
An Understanding of Mosquito Life Cycles
Different mosquito species inhabit different habitats, but all mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce. Mosquitoes that breed in temporary water habitats are called "floodwater" species, while others that breed in permanent water habitats are called "permanent water" species. Some species have evolved so specifically that they will only lay eggs in natural or artificial containers.
Whatever their preferred breeding habitat, all mosquitoes undergo the same 4-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with the larval and pupal stages, always being aquatic.
Mosquito eggs- When mosquito eggs are laid, they may hatch within a few days, depending on the temperature. Nonetheless, if the egg is laid out of the water and submerged intermittently, the embryo may remain dormant for several years until optimal natural hatching conditions are met.
The Larval Stage- The larval stage begins when the egg hatches. Since mosquito larvae need air to breathe, most hang suspended from the water surface. A larva's stage can last anywhere from 4 to 14 days, depending on the species, the temperature, and the availability of food.
The Pupal Stage- Pupae generally have a lifespan of 1 1/2-4 days, after which their skin cracks along the back, allowing for the emergent adult to emerge and rest on the water's surface.
Adult Mosquito- Male mosquitoes, primarily feeding on plant nectar, live only six to seven days on average and do not take blood meals. Generally, a female can live up to 5 months with an adequate food supply, while the average life expectancy for a female is about 6 weeks. It is usually necessary for a female to take a blood meal in addition to plant nectar to nourish and develop her eggs.
Source: Turlock Mosquito Abatement District
Fishes Eat Larvae and Help Combat Mosquito
The use of fish in public health dates back to 1903. Gambusia affinis is one of the most effective and widely used biological control agents against mosquito larvae. Other than Gambusia, the common guppy, Poecilia reticulata, has received the most attention as a mosquito control agent.
Larvivorous fishes are highly advantageous. Once established, these fishes self-propagate and continuously reduce mosquito larvae for a long period. Introduced viviparous fish are relatively less expensive than chemical control. The use of fish is an environmentally friendly method of controlling mosquitoes. Gambusia and Poecilia, which are larvivorous fish, prefer shallow water where mosquito larvae also breed.
A fish isn't just for decoration or to eat; it's also a very useful animal for society.
Written By - Dr. Nayana Shree Suresh
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