Following the campaigns carried out in recent years in various municipalities in Ticino and the encouraging results achieved since 2023 in Morcote, Ascona and Losone – with a reduction in the tiger mosquito population of over 90% – the trial will continue in Mendrisio in 2026, thanks to direct support from the City. The trial will be conducted within designated areas of the municipality of Mendrisio. The aim is to gather further scientific data to make sterile male technology increasingly effective and applicable at municipal level.
An integrated and enhanced approach
In 2026, too, the sterile male technique will be used as a complementary measure to the strategies already in place across the region to limit the spread of the tiger mosquito, and not as a replacement for them. Prevention activities, which have been carried out for years across the whole region, will continue as normal and without any changes, even within the area covered by the trial. The release of sterile males will take place from May to September, thus covering the entire period of activity of the tiger mosquito.
Applied research on a realistic scale
The project continues with the aim of consolidating the technique in small-scale urban settings that are representative of real-world conditions, so that it can be replicated independently in the municipalities of the Canton of Ticino. The approach aims to provide a practical and sustainable operational tool for controlling the tiger mosquito at a local level. At the same time, release methods will be evaluated that could, in the future, enable municipalities to apply the sterile male technique independently.
The role of the public remains crucial
The sterile male technique is only effective when combined with traditional prevention measures. It is therefore essential that the public continues to regularly carry out the actions recommended over the years, every week and throughout the summer period (May–September), in particular: removing standing water and treating potential breeding sites with the specific products indicated (www.supsi.ch/go/zanzare).
A joint commitment between the City and SUPSI
The project confirms the joint commitment of the City of Mendrisio, SUPSI and partner institutions to developing innovative, sustainable and scientifically sound solutions for controlling the tiger mosquito, with a view to reducing health risks and improving the quality of life for the local population. In this context, the City of Mendrisio will provide the necessary resources for the production of sterile males for this pilot project, whilst SUPSI will be responsible for the operational management and scientific coordination of the activities.