Hyderabad: In response to the growing problem of mosquitoes, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come up with a new method to control the situation. The entomology wing of GHMC has started using an improved technique known as “cool fogging” for their operations across the city.
This new approach uses a water-based insecticide instead of the traditional thermal fogging method, which relies on fuel. The new method is considered safer and more effective for controlling mosquitoes. It also reduces the harmful effects that thermal fogging can have on the environment.
The GHMC’s goal with this new method is to reduce the spread of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. Currently, this technique is being tested in the Khairatabad zone as part of a pilot program, with plans to expand it to other areas of the city.
According to entomology officers, the cool fogging method uses a chemical called Deltamethrin, which is different from Malathion, the chemical used in thermal fogging. Deltamethrin is odorless and doesn’t require mixing with petrol or diesel, making it a safer option for residents.
GHMC Commissioner Amrapali Kata, who inspected the fogging process, explained that the new water-based chemical kills mosquitoes within 30 minutes. In contrast, thermal fogging only makes the mosquitoes fly away temporarily. She emphasized that this new method is much more effective in controlling the mosquito population.
Commissioner Kata also pointed out that thermal fogging with diesel produces harmful fumes and odors, which can be dangerous, especially for children, infants, and the elderly. The cool fogging method is already being used successfully in other states like Gujarat and has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
She concluded by saying that this new chemical spray is not only effective but also eco-friendly and cost-efficient, making it a better solution for maintaining a healthier environment for everyone in the city.
