Vector Identification
Proper identification of arthropod vectors of pathogens will help determine where and when proper treatment may take place. Consider asking local universities (including extension staff) if they may have the capacity to train your staff to identify arthropods and/or test field collected samples. Vendors may also be able to supply these services, as well as some veterinary laboratories. Some programs may do identification internally and then send the samples to an external laboratory for testing.
Why set mosquito traps?
The most common type of vector control program monitors mosquito species that can transmit pathogens that can cause diseases. Sometimes vector control programs also monitor mosquitoes that are a nuisance, but that cannot transmit disease-causing pathogens.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors:
Some diseases that may be of interest related to vector monitoring and control are:
Reach out to your state/local health department (vector-borne disease unit or epi unit) to ask whether they produce reports of vector-borne diseases of-concern in your state/area. You can also check the CDC’s list or reach out to NACCHO at vectorcontrol@naccho.org.
Situations where nuisance mosquitoes may be of particular interest:
- Tourist destinations
- Coastal regions
- Flood prone regions
- Areas which contribute to mosquito habitat like wetlands or agricultural irrigation
- Densely populated residential areas
What kind of mosquito traps should you consider setting?
There are several different types of traps which are used to collect different types of mosquitoes for different scenarios. Traps should be set at fixed periods in fixed locations so that presence, abundance, and mosquito infection trends can be monitored over time.
Some of the most commonly used trap types include:
| Trap Type |
Target Species |
Life Stage Collected |
Diseases Monitored |
Operational Notes |
| Gravid traps |
Culex quinquefasciatus,
Culex spp. |
Gravid adult females |
WNV, EEE, SLE, WEE, VEE |
Uses fermented infusion water. Deploy overnight. |
| CDC light traps |
Culex spp., Anopheles spp., Aedes spp. |
Adult mosquitoes |
All mosquito-borne diseases |
Usually deployed overnight. Paired with CO₂ |
| BG Sentinel Trap |
Aedes aegypti ,
Aedes albopictus |
Adult mosquitoes |
Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya |
Often paired with CO₂ or scent lures. Deploy overnight. |
| Resting Trap |
Anopheles spp., Culex spp. |
Resting adult females |
Malaria, WNV, EEE, SLE, WEE, VEE |
Placed in shaded resting areas before sunrise and collect with aspirator during midday. |
| Ovitrap |
Aedes aegypti,
Aedes albopictus
|
Eggs,
Can be reared to adult |
Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya |
Deploy anytime of the day. Place clean and filter paper in a dark/ black cup. Check every few days. |
| Autocidal Gravid Trap |
Aedes aegypti ,
Aedes albopictus,
Culex quinquefasciatus
|
Gravid adult females |
Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya WNV, EEE, SLE, WEE, VEE |
Use in summer months. Hay infused water is needed as attractant. Can be deployed for two months without checking on them. Attracts and traps, killing gravid adult females. |
Determining which trap to use should be based on which type of data should be collected. Data should be based on the overall goals of the vector program. Different programs may vary based on political, economic, and disease-risk needs.
What methods for tick collection should you consider using?
The CDC has a thorough guide for the types of collection methods to consider using for collecting metastriate ticks (also called hard ticks). Here are a list of common methods and their usefulness for various collection goals:
| Collection Method |
Classify county status for metastriate tick species of public health importance |
Identify presence and prevalence of human pathogens in metastriate tick species of public health importance |
Map the county level density of host‐seeking nymphs (DON)/Density of host‐seeking infected nymphs (DIN) |
Map the county level density of host‐seeking adults (DOA)/Density of host‐seeking infected adults (DIA) |
Describe when ticks are actively host seeing (Phenology) |
| Flagging |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
| Dragging |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
| Walking |
Acceptable |
Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Acceptable |
| Carbon dioxide-baited tick traps |
Acceptable |
Acceptable for presence, not prevalence |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
| Collections from deer |
Acceptable |
Acceptable for presence, not prevalence |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
| Collections from small-animal trapping |
Acceptable |
Acceptable for presence, not prevalence |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Acceptable |
| Crowdsourced samples from humans and pets |
Acceptable, must account for travel history |
Acceptable for presence, not prevalence |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |
Not Acceptable |