Operational overview of Culex control

A variety of methods are implemented to control Culex, with targeting adults with biocides as the most implemented in six (preventive control) and nine (reactive control) countries (Table). None of the countries implement innovative methods targeting adult Culex mosquitoes.

In Greece, recommended mosquito control methods are described in Ministry of Health guidance, including annual circulars on mosquito management and the national action plan for West Nile virus. Other methods used in countries are: source reduction, surface films, biological larvicide (Bti) and IGR larvicides (Italy); deltamethrin, fogging from truck and aerial (Hungary); pyriproxiphen targeting larvae at national level, diflubenzuron (Larvastop ZG), Bti (Vectobac), piriproxiphen (Larvastop Piriprox ZG) at provincial level (Vojvodina Province), at the level of municipalities Bti for larvae and pyrethroids for adults (ULV treatments) (Serbia); and Silmax and Bti (UK).

Table 8. What type of Culex mosquito control is implemented in your country? (multiple answers possible) (n = 13)

Type of controlPREVENTIVE mosquito controlREACTIVE mosquito control
Targeting immature stages using non-biocidal intervention53
Targeting adults using biocides69
Targeting adults using non-biocidal intervention11
Environmental management34
Targeting adult stages using innovative methods00
Formalised social mobilization program22
No Control21
Don't know / NA12
Other00

Aedes invasive mosquitoes: deployment of vector surveillance and control

Over the period January 2020–May 2025, surveillance of invasive Aedes mosquitoes takes place in 20 countries, with control activities conducted in 17 countries (Figure). In total, six of the responding countries do not implement surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquitoes, because it is not a public or veterinary health problem or priority (Czechia, Lithuania, and Norway), there is a lack of resources (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, and Norway), and/or there is no legal framework (Kosovo and Norway). The reasons for not implementing Aedes invasive mosquito control are: the mosquito species group is not present (6/9 countries), they do not pose a public or veterinary health problem (Czechia and Norway), and/or there is a lack of resources to implement mosquito control (Bosnia and Herzegovina). One country (Slovenia) mentioned that control activities are considered only as an emergency response.