Livestock: An alternative mosquito control measure

Abstract

A survey was conducted to investigate the indigenous methods or measures adopted by urban livestock owners in the control of mosquito in Sokoto metropolis. Fifty (50) respondents who were engaged in urban livestock production were conveniently sampled, In addition, five (5) locations (Sidi farm, Kara market, Sokoto Cinema, Gidan Ashana, U/Rogo) where animals were kept overnight in large flocks/herds were purposively selected. Data was collected on size and type of animal kept, methods of mosquito control, strategies for eliminating breeding sites, methods of protecting animals from mosquito bite etc. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test was used to analyse the data collected. Results showed that the majority of the respondents raised cattle, goats and sheep due to economic benefit obtained from them. Respondents were small scale cattle and average goat and sheep farmers that generally kept their animals tethered at night. It was observed that the population density of mosquitoes was higher in the animal pen than the human room and among the preventive measures employed by the respondents, most used smoke to repel mosquitoes from both animal pen and human room. It can therefore be concluded that there exists a link between human and livestock population particularly in diverting the vector host (mosquito) away from the humans. The livestock are prevented from mosquito bite by smoke, spray and clean environment.