Welcome everybody to this lecture on vector control. Vector control is a critical component of global malaria control strategies. And it is aimed at both adult and larval stages. The common methods include indoor residual spray, abbreviated as IRS, Insecticide treated nets, abbreviated as ITNs, personal protection, and larval source management, abbreviated as LSM. Indoor residual spraying involves spraying of insecticides that have residual effect on walls. And they sprayed using compression sprayer like this one. And the choice and types of insecticides to be used for indoor spraying depends on various factors including vector biology, resistance of target mosquito, acceptability and affordability. The insecticides that are sprayed include organochlorines such as DDT. However, DDT has been banned in different parts of the world because of its negative impact on environment. Organophosphates include premethos methane, or octane. Carbamates include bendiocarb while pyrethroids include lamdasihalotrin. Usually, application of these insecticides is done on, in much viable concentrate or, water-powder foundations. Insecticide treated nets can have self protection and mass effect. Usually these bed nets are conventionally treated using hands, or they can be treated during manufacturing process at the factory. And when this is done, we have long-lasting insecticide treated nets. The chemicals that are usually advocated for bed nets is usually pyrethroids, which are less toxic and they're quite effective. Bed nets usually protect even when they're badly torn or not properly placed under the bed. They're also affordable and easily to administer. Personal protection is usually appropriate in areas where the vector has preference to feed and rest outdoors. That is, exophagic and exophilic mosquitoes. It is complementary to IRS and ITNs. And it involves different approaches, including protective clothing, improved housing, space spraying with aerosol, and the use of repellents, including plants extracts like the oils from cintronella plants and other species. Zooprophylaxis is also quite effective and appropriate in areas where the malaria vector is usually exophilic. In such areas, having cattle close to residential houses will provide protection to humans because mosquitos will feed on those animals. Let's look at larval source management. Larval source management is effective in areas where the breeding sites of manageable size can be located. They are accessible and it is appropriate for urban areas. In rural areas, the breeding sites are usually small. For example, hoof prints and large breeding sites are usually not accessible. Larval source management includes environmental management. Larviciding the use of biocides and biological control. With environmental management, we're concerned with filling or draining of large breeding sites, and also intermittent or overhead irrigation. There are quite a number of chemicals that are used as larvicides for vector control, including temephos, chlorpyrifos, pirimiphos-methly and fenthion. Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus sphaericus, have been used for controlling malaria vectors as biocides, and have proved to be quite effective. Biological control has been applied in different parts of the world especially in South Eastern Asia where predators such as Gambusia affinis is used to control malaria vector larvae. There are so many reports about the decline of malaria worldwide. And such decline in transmission and clinical burden of malaria and in particular, that of Plasmodium falciparum is attributed to the following. One, intensified vector control strategies including the use of bed nets and indoor residual spraying. Two, climate change. Three, improved rapid diagnosis and treatment of cases. And lastly, improved access to health services. Thank you for listening.