Bratislava and its vicinity, as well as other regions of Slovakia, report the intensive occurrence of mosquitoes. While in the past, the country used to combat this annoying insect with lethal chemical sprays, today this method is not considered a solution to the problem. The Slovak capital is instead using the organic agent BTI. The BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) bacteria is a very selective larvicide that is nontoxic to people as well as animals. It has a preventive effect as it destroys the larvae before they metamorphose into the adult mosquitoes.
“Along with experts, we have been monitoring mosquito hatcheries in Bratislava since the beginning of the season,” Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo wrote on social media.