CHAPTER X 

 SCREENING 



PLACE OF SCREENING IN ANTI-MOSQUITO WORK 



While screening cannot, of course, be considered a method of 

 mosquito eradication, the fact that it is very useful under certain 

 circumstances in anti-mosquito work makes it desirable to include 

 a chapter on the subject. 



These circumstances may include cases where sufficient funds 

 for complete drainage, oiling and fish control under a general 

 community organization are not available or where the breeding 

 areas are too extensive to be controlled economically by anti- 

 mosquito measures. Screening is particularly valuable for 

 control work in rural areas, where the population is not sufficient 

 to warrant the expense usually involved in eradication work. 



Moreover, as it is becoming customary to screen houses, 

 anyway, it is well to know what the requirements for anti- 

 mosquito screening are, so that the screening may be as adequate 

 a protection against mosquitoes as against flies and other 

 insects. 



There is no doubt that screening, where the houses are in such 

 condition that screening may properly be undertaken and where 

 the screening is done carefully and thoroughly, is one of the most 

 effective methods of protection against mosquitoes. 



It should not be inferred, however, that screening is a satis- 

 factory substitute for mosquito eradication. Screening protects 

 only the house screened, and people do not stay in the house all 

 the time. Unless eradication work is carried on, therefore, 

 they are subject to annoyance by mosquitoes whenever they 

 leave it. Furthermore, screening rarely keeps out all mosquitoes. 

 If they are abundant outside, some will always manage to get 

 into the house. 



It will thus be seen that screening is at best only a partial 

 protection. It is only one of the many phases of mosquito 

 control work. 



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