Source: C & EN
Researchers in California and Colorado are testing an innovative mosquito control method using ivermectin-coated birdseed to reduce mosquito populations and curb the spread of West Nile virus. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, paralyzes and kills mosquitoes that ingest blood from treated birds. The method is inspired by mass ivermectin administration to humans in malaria-endemic areas.
The researchers sprayed Veterinary-grade ivermectin onto seeds and protected the coating with a polymer to prevent environmental degradation. These seeds were placed in specialized bird feeders accessible only to small birds like sparrows and finches. Blood samples from birds and mosquito traps near the feeders were analyzed to assess the method’s effectiveness. West Nile virus, primarily spread by Culex mosquitoes, has infected nearly 59,000 people in the U.S. since 1999, with over 3,000 fatalities. If successful, this method could provide a novel, eco-friendly tool for reducing mosquito populations during peak seasons. Further trials are planned.
Read the full story HERE: https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/infectious-disease/Coated-seeds-turn-birds-into-mosquito-killing-machines/102/web/2024/11