The Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli” (CAA) is a private company committed in developing new techniques for controlling blood-sucking arthropods and applying the most advanced integrated environment-friendly biological pest control technologies aimed to control mosquito populations in large scale territory.
For years CAA representative have been members of the most important scientific associations in this sector: Entomological Society of America, Society of Vector Ecology, American Mosquito Control Association, Società Italiana di Parassitologia, European Mosquito Control Association (EMCA).
Indigenous mosquitoes
- Standardised mapping of larval breeding sites and subsequent geographical data recording on Desktop GIS (QGIS 3.x open source) and
WebGIS
(QGIS server). - Organisation of integrated biological mosquito control projects based primarily on territorial management systems, the use of selective larvicides with a low environmental impact (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and predators (Gambusia holbrooki);
- Coordination, technical direction and scientific supervision in mosquito control campaigns over large areas, in collaboration with public authorities and service providers.
- Technical assistance and monitoring of larvicidal treatments in specific larval breeding grounds such as rice fields, sugar refinery tanks, lagoon basins, and wildlife hunting farms.
- Consulting services to public authorities planning to issue calls for tenders, to aid them in formulating specifications for the provision of control services and supply of products;
- Assessment of mosquito control projects results using standardised adult monitoring systems and cost/benefit analyses. Verification of results through standardized adult monitoring systems and cost/benefit analysis of control projects.
- Laboratory and field researches using new techniques and products with the aim of improving currently available control strategies;
- Continuous maintainance of mosquito colonies in climate-controlled cells for experimental purposes, without the use of laboratory animals.
Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito)
- Development and field application of surveillance and containment methods specifically aimed at eliminating the tiger mosquito.
- Scientific coordination of the regional surveillance networks activated by the Emilia-Romagna Region.
- Technical direction of control programs tailored on the local condition and requests like S.I.T. and spatial and geostatistical analysis.
Other species of public health concern
(sand flies, midges, ticks, cockroaches, flies and chironomids)
- Technical and scientific support to local health authorities and municipalities in controlling household pests;
- Research in the field of integrated biological pest control methods against flies in livestock farming;
- Studies on the geographic distribution and evaluation of the sanitary risks related with the presence of sand flies, culicoids midge and ticks.