Cozumel’s Natural Mosquito Control With Tadpoles

Cozumel, Mexico — The University of Quintana Roo (UQROO), Cozumel campus, has created an experimental pool for pest control, specifically targeting mosquitoes, using only water, tadpoles, and a micro-crustacean organism. This ecological method, born from a research project, demonstrates that it is possible to control pests without the use of chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative for urban and academic environments.

The experimental pool originated from an old water storage tank used during the university's construction. Adrian Cervantes Martínez, a full-time researcher at UQROO's Cozumel campus, explained that the tank initially served as a water reservoir for the construction of several buildings, including the auditorium. Once construction was completed, there were plans to demolish the tank, but a request was made to preserve it for research purposes.

Researchers at UQROO are studying sustainable alternatives to reduce the presence of mosquitoes. Tadpoles were placed in the tank, leading to a natural form of control over the larvae deposited by mosquitoes in their natural environment—bodies of water. This demonstrated a method to control the presence of mosquitoes without the need for insecticides or other chemicals to eradicate the larvae.

The tadpoles chose to consume, in addition to the zooplankton in the pond, the larvae of mosquitoes such as Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes. Furthermore, certain micro-crustaceans, known as Copepods, have also been found to prey on the mosquito larvae. Despite being quasi-microscopic, these Copepods have mandibles large enough to attack the larvae.

The project demonstrates the efficacy of biological control without resorting to insecticides. The study was published in a scientific format, proving the possibility of maintaining mosquito control without using insecticides or chemical substances, even those not harmful to humans. The goal is to present options for the treatment of sanitary nuisances.

Regarding use in domestic environments, it may be feasible; however, it would depend on the available space and the correct use and containment of the species. Nevertheless, it serves as a natural method for mosquito control in areas with a high concentration of people, such as the university campus.