Mosquito Suppression

When mosquitoes arrived in Hawaiʻi, honeycreepers rapidly disappeared from the warm lowlands, succumbing quickly to avian malaria and another disease, avian pox. To help native birds survive, conservation organizations focused on habitat preservation and restoration in high-elevation forest preserves, which were too cold for mosquitoes. But as temperatures have warmed, mosquitoes have begun moving upslope, spreading disease further into native bird habitat. 

Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partners are working together to protect Hawaiʻi’s native birds through an integrated mosquito management and forest conservation approach. These efforts include forest management tools such as fencing to protect sensitive habitats from feral ungulates, the removal of invasive species, and the restoration of native plants to improve forest health. Partners also support captive breeding efforts and the translocation of birds into more favorable habitats, helping to strengthen vulnerable populations and expanding opportunities for species to persist. In addition, targeted mosquito control methods, including the application of the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), help reduce mosquito populations before they reach adulthood and spread disease.​