Colombo to use a bacteria for mosquito control

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Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has taken steps to use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) for mosquito control a dengue is spreading throughout Sri Lanka taking hundreds of lives.

Bti is a naturally occurring bacteria that is specific to mosquitoes and black flies, says goodbug,com website. It means that it is non-toxic and safe to use around humans, pets, wildlife and other insects. Bti is a spore forming bacteria that produces a protein crystal which is toxic when ingested by mosquitoes and black flies. Mosquito larvae that have ingested the bacteria and its protein crystals stop feeding within hours and will die within days. Repeated use of Bti is recommended to control mosquitos.

While Bti is non-toxic to humans, it is not approved for use in drinking water supplies. Sri Lanka imports Bti from US.