Biological Control of Mosquito Vectors Using Predatory Fish and Microbial Agents: An Experimental Approach

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where climatic conditions favor mosquito breeding. Conventional mosquito control strategies rely heavily on chemical insecticides; however, excessive use of these chemicals has resulted in environmental pollution, insecticide resistance, and negative impacts on non-target organisms. Biological control has emerged as a sustainable alternative for managing mosquito populations while minimizing ecological harm. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of predatory fish species and microbial agents as biological control tools against mosquito larvae. Experimental observations were conducted to assess larval reduction rates under different treatment conditions involving larvivorous fish and microbial agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). The results demonstrate that predatory fish significantly reduced larval densities in aquatic habitats, while microbial agents showed high larvicidal efficiency when applied at recommended concentrations. Integrated use of both biological control methods resulted in the greatest reduction in mosquito populations. The findings suggest that environmentally safe biological control approaches can play a crucial role in vector management programs and contribute to sustainable mosquito control strategies.