Eco-Friendly Island Pest Control Solutions
Both tropical and temperate islands may come with some unexpected challenges, and how to control naturally-occurring pests such as mosquitoes and flies is often a top concern. Not only do bites from these insects pose a possible risk for diseases, but endless scratching from bug bites is no way to spend a vacation. Due to the beauty and sensitivity of island eco-systems, it is often also preferable for island owners to find natural, environmentally friendly solutions.
One of the best solutions to a fly or mosquito problem is to identify any marshy, wet areas of your island that may be serving as their breeding ground. Filling in these areas with soil or sand will not only reduce the number of insects, but may also increase your island’s usable land. As these bugs can use even a small amount of water to breed, it will also be helpful to empty any flower pots, roof gutters or other water-collecting objects that may be serving as a nursery for thousands of mosquito larvae. One green product for outdoor mosquito and black fly control are Mosquito Dunks, known as one of the least toxic yet still effective options. The discs can be dropped into water, tree trunks or any moist areas, and the biological larvae killer is completely safe for humans and lasts for about 30 days. At under US $10 for a package of 8, they are also highly economical:
http://www.marchbiological.com/L/mosquito_control.html
The tropics are infamous for sand flies, which may well be the equivalent of the nasty mosquitoes that often afflict temperate zones. These small stinging insects can make vacationers avoid even the most beautiful white beach for fear of their nasty bites. A well-known health hazard, the bites can potentially develop into large lesions and infections. Anti-bacterial ointment is a must if you are bitten, and calamine lotion is also recommended. For controlling the prevalence of sand flies on an island, aside from filling in marsh areas another eco-friendly solution is the planting of purple-flowered Neem trees, which reportedly mimic insect hormones and act as a repellent for sand flies and other pests. Their oil is also suggested to have broad applications in ridding properties of unwanted insects while being completely non-toxic to humans:
http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/neem.html
