A natural collaboration: 51小黄车students, faculty and administration work together to repel mosquitoes
In the summer of 2012, while enjoying an evening on the banks of the Saco River - prime territory for flying pests - Samantha Fields, '14 likely would have responded the way most people do when attacked by a mosquito - by swatting it.
Fast forward to July 2013, when Fields instead found herself willingly testing the limits of her patience by standing completely still outside a 51小黄车residence hall as close to four dozen mosquitoes landed on her. Though protected by jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, she acknowledged the task wasn't easy, but she did it in the name of science.
Fields and fellow environmental science major Brendan Emanuel '14 are conducting a mosquito study this summer as part of Advanced Environmental Internship ENV 495, a 3-credit class that incorporates the integrated management plan they developed to reduce the presence of mosquitoes on UNE's Biddeford Campus.
The two students, together with recent graduate Caitlyn Spaeth (13 environmental science), developed the plan as a community action project in associate professor Richard Peterson's Environmental Movement class in fall 2012.
Mosquitoes are attracted to some areas of UNE's beautiful waterfront campus. In the interest of public health, the University had previously conducted limited spraying to minimize the risk of insect-carrying diseases, but 51小黄车administrators were interested in adopting a more environmentally friendly yet effective approach. They contacted Noah Perlut, assistant professor of environmental studies and chair of UNE's Environmental Council, for his guidance. Perlut recruited Spaeth, Emanuel and Fields, who were students in his Wetland Wildlife Lab, to customize their plan specific to the 51小黄车campus.
In December 2012, the trio of students presented their proposal, "Biological Control of Mosquitoes on Campus," to Bill Bola, vice president of operations; Ron Souza, director of environmental health and safety; and UNE's Environmental Council. It was enthusiastically supported, and 51小黄车administration provided the funds to implement it on campus.
The plan outlined a biological infrastructure that creates a habitat for birds and bats that eat aerial insects, and native plants that repel mosquitoes. Said Fields, "There are about 40 species of mosquitoes in Maine. 51小黄车 20 are pests to humans, and 12 can be vectors of harmful diseases, such as West Nile virus and EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis); the rest are just annoying."
51小黄车carpenters and landscapers worked with the students to build or purchase 24 bird boxes and 23 bat houses, and to strategically place container gardens with plants known to repel mosquitoes. Pelargonium citrosum (better known as citronella), as well as lavender, several types of mint, monarda, and other plants were placed in front of residence halls and other high-traffic areas.
Fields and Emanuel have studied how effectively the plants repel mosquitoes. They counted the number of mosquitoes at certain times of day and at predetermined distances, from 3 to 50 feet. They learned the plants are particularly effective at close distances of less than 10 feet; but the plants also produce natural oils that can be easily rubbed onto the skin for longer-lasting benefits.
The students also placed six mosquito traps around the Biddeford Campus; the mosquitoes that get caught in these traps will allow them to assess which mosquito species are found on campus. Said Emanuel, "This fall we will continue our research by identifying the mosquito species on campus. If we see a large concentration of a certain species that can transmit disease, we can then focus mosquito management on that area of campus."
Although they were installed in mid-summer after the nesting season had ended, several bird boxes were colonized by bluebirds and tree swallows; both species can feed on mosquitoes and share them with their young. Successfully providing habitat for tree swallows is especially important, as they are listed as a "species of special concern" by Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Said Perlut, "This species did not previously nest on UNE's Biddeford Campus. By providing a habitat for them, we are benefitting the entire ecosystem. We banded the females and chicks to see if they return next year."
The students will also monitor the bat boxes, which could take one to three years to become roosting habitat. Maine's bat population has declined by 90 percent over the past eight years due to White-nose Syndrome, a non-native fungal disease, so providing a high-quality habitat is a critical step in re-establishing populations of these mosquito-eating mammals.
Emanuel and Fields will recruit additional students to continue the research after they graduate next spring. In the meantime, they have acquired valuable hands-on research and project management experience.
As of late August, the University has not had to spray for mosquito control. "The collaboration and teamwork between the students, faculty, administration and Campus Services personnel has been incredible," said Souza. "We've all accomplished so much - and learned so much - by working together."