Why don we just spray insecticides to kill the mosquitos?
There are currently two major methods of using insecticides to control malaria – source reduction and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Source reduction involves many non-chemical methods, and also includes spraying mosquito habitats and breeding areas with insecticides such as DDT. IRS involves coating the walls and other surfaces of a home with residual insecticides. Unfortunately, it is economically and logistically impossible (and generally not considered environmentally sound) to use insecticides on a scale large enough to kill all Anopheles mosquitos in malaria-endemic areas. Insecticides and other vector control methods remain an important component of malaria control, but do not represent a complete solution to the problem.
