Table 2 Main shortcomings of current vector control

General

• Impossible to rid the planet of every member of the target population

• Impossible to prevent re-population of ‘cleared ‘area by other species with the potential to ‘learn’ and take over previous vector’s function

• Destruction of other species, including predators

• Development of resistance

• Constant monitoring, resistance monitoring required

• Damage control required

• Breaks down during adverse events, such as pandemic, war, civil unrest, economic crises, natural disasters

• Community participation needed

• There may be different vectors in one area but only one is targeted

• Impermanent success, unsustainable

Physical control

• Impact on aquatic and surface non-target aquatic and surface species

• Environmentally questionable, e.g., plastic beads; microplastics in waterways

• Surface oil cover degradation by bacteria

• Maintenance of barriers required

• Limited to no use in larger areas or natural habitat

Environmental control

• Potential replacement by other vectors

• Natural habitat impossible to remove

• Oviposition sites impossible to remove entirely

Chemical control

• Temporary; requires constant re-application

• Resistance requires increasingly higher dosages and more frequent applications

• Severe impact on non-target species

• Severe impact on water, soil, air, human and animal health

Biological control

• Potential impact on non-target species

• Environmental safety (e.g., toxins)

• Potential resistance

• Invasion of ‘control/predator’-species; may need chemical control -> return of original pest

• Introduced species eat the ‘wrong thing’

• Locally restricted

Genetic control

• Potential unplanned consequences

• Difficult to demonstrate effect

• Expensive

• Legal and ethical concerns

• Absence of community participation