GHMC uses oil balls to curb mosquito breeding

Serilingampally: GHMC is releasing oil balls in ponds and lakes for the prevention of dengue, malaria and other diseases in Greater Hyderabad division. GHMC released Gambushia fishes and oil balls in 28 pools which are built specifically for Ganesh Nimajjanam. These will help to stop the production of larvae in the ponds and lakes.

GHMC used drones to spray the fertilisers in Serilingampally Lake but this process cannot be applied in all areas as drones are prohibited in some areaa. So, GHMC is going for new ideas to control the production of larvae. They released balls in lakes at LB Nagar, Mansoorabad, Nagole, Bandlaguda and also in Ayyappa Colony nala and some other minor places. These oil balls will form a thin layer on the water and controls mosquito larvae to grow.

How they are made

Gunny bags are first made into pieces and filled with sawdust and prepared in the shape of a ball. Then they will be soaked in Mosquito Larvae Seedle Oil (MLO) for 24 hours. These balls are taken out from MLO solution and released in lakes and ponds. MLO solution which is absorbed by oil balls will create a thin layer on water. This will kill larvae and reduce the growth of mosquitoes. As this process became successful, GHMC is implementing in the city in high extent.

According to the survey conducted in 1,08,449 residences in the city, GHMC found 23,918 residences as breeding areas for mosquitoes of some breeds and started spraying pyrithrium and conducting fogging two times a day. GHMC officials say that, due to the regular process is conducted for prevention of mosquitoes, seasonal diseases rate is reduced when compared to previous month.