Bangalore was once known as a “Pensioner’s paradise” for several well known reasons like the climate and ambience among other things. Most immigrants to Bangalore in the past have noticed the absence of mosquito menace which was rampant in most other parts of tropical India.

Of late we find that Bangaloreans have joined the gang of “unforeseen applauders” in just about any place or time, eager to reduce the little blood sucker into a squishy insignificant pulp.

Though it is quite possible that you have developed your very own methodology for overcoming this nuisance using umpteen numbers of mosquito coils, nets, repellents, and creams, electric and electronic devices they all fall short of our expectations to annihilate the tribe off the face of earth.

They don’t seem to be protecting us as well as we expect them to do so moreover they also eat away a considerable sum from our monthly budget.

It is high time we as a society did something about the problem especially because the rainy season is just round the corner. The season during which time mosquitoes breed in millions.

As usual it is easier to harp on a problem than actually get round to solve it. But the truth is the solution partly lies in our efforts to keep our environment clean. If we set the trend we can be sure that the others will follow.

It is always better to set an example rather than ruminate on theoretical possibilities. It is important to remember that mosquitoes thrive in open drains. They are here for real.

It would be wishful thinking to make these open drains vanish immediately. The authorities are working on a hygienic drainage system. In the meanwhile it is important for us to take the matter into consideration and do our bit to overcome the menace.

Here are a few ways of doing your bit. It is not enough if we keep our homes spic and span, our surroundings require the same care. It does not matter if we live in single houses with compounds around them or in apartments. We should keep certain aspects in mind and follow them stringently.

It is very obvious that no single individual can take up such a responsibility all on his own. Even if such a Good Samaritan came forward to take up the onerous task the rest of them will take it easy and lie back to find fault.

It will defeat the purpose of community conscientiousness among the others. Residents of a street could get together and take turns to do the duties assigned to them. A couple of children could be appointed as conscience keepers for reminding the concerned people of their duties.

Plant a few saplings of neem on the roadside wherever possible and make sure to take care of them.
Do not allow water to stagnate around our tenements. We could grow short hedges along the open drains.

These plants will absorb the moisture thereby draining or at least lessening the drain water to a large extent.
Whenever you see sewage water flowing into the storm water drains, make sure you report to the authorities.

Do not wait for the local city corporation’s turn to spray mosquito repellent into the drains, you could spray the same on a daily basis by taking turns till all the larvae disappear.

Do not use unoccupied sites as dump yards; make sure you dispose the garbage into the assigned dustbins.
If you have space in your compound make your own compost pit and dispose all bio-degradable waste into them and make sure you add a layer of soil once in every three or four days.

Though the fumes emitted from burning of garbage and dried leaves can get rid of the pesky mosquitoes, avoid burning for it will pollute the air and will also ruin your chances of making rich compost.

Apart from neighbourhood duties you could take certain precautions at home. Keep your home well ventilated by letting in a lot of sunshine and air.

Light incense or dhoop sticks towards evening to get rid of the mosquitoes hiding in the corners of your residence. Shut all the doors and windows during the twilight hour for it is during this time the mosquitoes gain entry into your home. You could open the doors and windows after darkness sets in.

You could fix plastic mosquito nets popularly called netlon on doors and windows if you can afford them. These nets can be peeled off during the day if fixed with the help of Velcro.

Traditional mosquito nets could be used during bed time. If there are infants and tiny tots in your home you could apply neem oil on their limbs to protect them from mosquito bite without worrying about the side effects.

These are but a few precautions that we can take to make our lives more comfortable. All of us know that united we stand and divided we fall. Now the ball is in our court it is up to us to decide whether we want to annihilate or help the tribe of mosquitoes to thrive.

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