USDA
July 23, 2003
Mosquito Control
The Effects of a Natural Poison on Mosquito Development: Year III
Christine Haas, 13, Clovis, Calif.
First Place, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2002
Project background: Although residents of Christine's town, Wonder Valley, Calif., have serious mosquito problems, they refuse to use chemical deterrants for fear of harming their livestock. After hearing how Native Americans used the natural poison in the buckeye plant for several different purposes, including catching fish, Christine decided to test the effects of buckeye poison on mosquito development.
Tactics and results: Christine chose buckeye poison because it is native to Wonder Valley and the livestock tend to naturally avoid it. While blending buckeye blossoms with store-bought spring water, Christine mixed four different strengths of "buckeye poison." After placing one mosquito egg in each container, she observed and recorded mosquito development for 6 days.
Christine concluded that all strengths of "buckeye poison," even the weakest amount, had some negative effect on mosquito development. Therefore, any amount of buckeye poison in vernal ponds could help Wonder Valley residents eliminate or reduce their mosquito problem.
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