Swarm!

A lady is seen sweeping her floor of what looks like sand or dirt, but upon listening closely to the news on TV, they were actually dead mosquitoes! For them to give an impression of sand or dirt only highlights just how many they were. There has been an upsurge in the mosquito population lately, particularly in the Pasig and Tondo, Manila areas. Residents have been complaining of swarms of the insect in their homes and places of business. Fears that an epidemic of dengue, malaria or even chikungunya were allayed by DOH assistant secretary Dr. Eric Tayag. Apparently, the upsurge in the mosquito population consists of the common mosquito, and not the disease-bearing Aedes Aegypti or other species. Nonetheless, they are still pests that have to be dealt with.

Dr. Tayag cites the lack of cleanliness and sanitation as the leading cause of the upsurge in mosquito breeding. These insects love dark, damp places where they can breed and lay their eggs. It doesn't take much water for a mosquito to lay her eggs in. An upturned bottle cap with water is a swimming pool to a mosquito. Dr. Tayag cannot stress the need for cleanliness enough, but his words more often than not fall on deaf, ignorant ears. There are so many things in the garbage that can hold water such as old tires, cans, discarded pails and buckets, Styrofoam food packs. Houses with clogged gutters and stagnant sewers also present opportunities for the mosquito. If only these areas were cleared, then mosquitoes would have nowhere to breed.

Some blame the Manggahan Floodway in Pasig, which has been turned into a green bed of water lilies, as the culprit behind the swarms. Because the water lilies are so thick, the water is practically at a standstill, allowing the mosquitoes to do their thing. The water lilies are so thick, you could walk on top of them. This has always been a perennial problem, for which there seems to be no solution. The water lilies cannot seem to be used for anything.

The mosquitoes may not be the disease-carrying kind, but they are still pests. Nobody wants to be bitten by a mosquito, let alone a whole swarm. Nobody wants to be tormented by that buzzing sound when they fly close to your ear. Nobody wants to be unfortunate enough to inhale them. Unless the surroundings of these places are cleaned up, then the insects will continue to breed well into the rainy season. And if I remember correctly, this is the time when the disease-carrying mosquitoes come around. Nature really has a way of getting back at those who do not respect her. The problem is, many people just don't get it. It doesn't take much to clean up a place, while it takes so much out of you when you get sick. It is a no-brainer. But it can't be one if there are no brains to begin with.