Mosquitoes

Worldwide, nearly 4 million people die each year from various mosquito-borne diseases.  There are currently 2 different types (genus) of mosquitoes in the Turks & Caicos Islands the Aedes and Culex. While the majority of the species here in the Turks and Caicos are nuisance mosquitoes, we have identified the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is known to spread diseases such as Dengue, Chiungunya and Zika.

By monitoring and reducing mosquito populations, the Turks & Caicos Islands Vector Control Program protects public health and promotes an environment where residents can enjoy parks, open spaces and other outdoor activities.

Click here to view Mosquitoes : What You Should Know / Prevention and Control

Mosquito Facts

Only female mosquitoes bite. They need the protein and nutrients from blood for their developing eggs. A mosquito may bite only two or three times during her life, but she can develop hundreds of eggs from each blood meal.

The Mosquito Life Cycle

A mosquito has four stages of life:

• Egg: Once laid in water, eggs will hatch in 2 to 3 days.
• Larva: A mosquito larva looks like a tiny wiggling worm in the water.
• Pupa: A larva becomes a pupa and the adult mosquito develops inside.
• Adult: Total development time from egg to adult can be less than 1 week during periods of warm weather. The average mosquito will live for about 2 weeks.

Click here to view Vectors Prevention and Control

Rats and Mice

Rats are very destructive pests that can spread disease, contaminate food, and cause costly structural damage.  Rats can be found in all areas of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  The Vector Control Program provides outdoor rodent inspections, rat control and instructions on how to properly implement rat control techniques.

Facts

They pollute food, spread disease, and cause damage by gnawing. Rats are most active at night. If they are seen during the day, there is a good chance there are more around your home. Rats eat all types of food, including human and pet food.

Diseases

Rats and mice carry and spread diseases that can harm humans and other animals:

Direct Transmission

• Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted by coming into contact with infected water by swimming, wading or kayaking or by contaminated drinking water. Individuals may be at increased risk of Leptospirosis infections if they work outdoors or with animals.
• Rat-bite Fever: A bite, scratch or contact with a dead infected rat.
• Salmonellosis: Eating food that has been polluted with rat urine or droppings (food poisoning).

Indirect Transmission

• Parasites: Some rats can carry tapeworms.

Flies

Flies live in close proximity with humans and although large numbers of flies are seen as nuisance disrupting indoor and outdoor activities as well as having a negative impact on ones business, flies can also spread diseases.

Flies feed on human food, rotting and decaying matter as well as human and animal feces where they can pick up and carry agents (bacteria, viruses, other micro organisms) that cause diseases.

Diseases

House flies can carry and spread diseases such as: cholera, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis and typhoid fever.

Fly Life Cycle

• Embryo/Eggs: Female lays eggs in moist organic matter, such as garbage, animal waste or rotting fruits and vegetables.
• Larvae: Eggs hatch into larvae, which have three stages and feed on the organic material.
• Pupae: Larvae develop into pupae.
• Adult: Adult flies hatch from pupae.

Cockroaches

Like flies cockroaches live in close proximity with humans. Their feeding and nesting habits mean they can easily carry a range of different organisms, which, when transmitted, can result in complications to your health.

For businesses, this can have a negative impact on both staff health and retention. In addition, those operating within the food industry could experience a breach in food safety laws, as cockroaches have been linked to the spread of foodborn diseases.

Cockroaches can spread a range of diseases. However, unlike mosquitoes, they are not direct vectors of diseases. Transmission occurs indirectly, from consumption or contact with items which have been contaminated by cockroaches, rather than through bites.

Diseases

• Salmonellosis: A bacteria disease in humans with symptoms similar to food poisoning.
• Typhoid fever: A bacterial infection. It is believed that cockroaches accumulate this disease by consuming feces contaminated with the bacterium.
• Cholera: An acute diarrhoeal infection. Infection occurs through ingestion of food and drink contaminated with the bacterium. If exposed to the bacterium, cockroaches can spread the organism through their feces and vomit, contaminating surfaces and food.
• Asthma: Cockroaches can trigger asthma because they certain proteins in their bodies which can be an allergen for certain people. When tiny particles from cockroach bodies are spread through the air in buildings, these proteins are inhaled and an asthma attack can be triggered in sensitive people.