Standing water provides breeding sites for mosquitoes, and decaying organic matter can enrich habitats. Which management actions address both issues?

• A. Drain standing water, clean debris, and treat persistent sites with larvicides if needed.
• B. Do nothing and rely on adulticides only.
• C. Increase decaying organic matter to attract predators.
• D. Apply broad-spectrum pesticides to all water bodies.

Answer: (A)

Removing breeding sites and limiting larval food sources is the core idea here: by draining standing water you eliminate the places where mosquitoes lay eggs, and by cleaning debris you reduce the organic matter that enriches those habitats so larvae have less to feed on. When you pair that with targeted larvicides for any persistent water bodies, you control mosquitoes at the source and minimize environmental impact. This integrated approach addresses both the creation of new larvae and the resources they need to grow, which is why it’s the best choice. Doing nothing and relying only on adulticides misses the larval stage entirely; increasing decaying organic matter would worsen habitats for mosquitoes; broad-spectrum pesticides in all water bodies can harm non-target organisms and are unnecessary when habitat removal and targeted larviciding suffice.