BugOut
Initiated in 2017 on Virgin Gorda, this internationally recognised community-driven programme has successfully suppressed the invasive, disease-causing Aedes aegypti mosquito by 98%. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes cause diseases such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. Innovation, education, clean-ups and community participation are integrated into safe, data-driven integrated vector control operations. We continue to partner with the Government to expand mosquito awareness and community action throughout the BVI.
How we do it
SAFE VECTOR CONTROL
Driven by our Community Vector Control Officers and developed by some of the world’s best minds on mosquito control efforts, we work to deliver effective, state-of-the-art, and environmentally safe mosquito control efforts. This includes minimal use of chemical interventions, such as eco-friendly larvicides, clean-ups, removal of standing water, and infrastructure repairs, as well as innovative methods such as the Wolbachia tool.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We believe that everyone must play a role in local mosquito control and disease prevention efforts – starting at home! BugOut provides the necessary education and support to make everyone a participant. Our BugOut Vector Control team in Virgin Gorda is working with residents and homeowners to directly assist with mosquito control on and around their properties. We have a great list of resources for residents and homeowners, including checklists to help you protect your home from mosquitoes! Click here to find out about controlling mosquitoes at home and more!
DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH
The BugOut programme includes ongoing surveillance and monitoring to capture data on mosquito numbers, species and gender. Breeding hotspots are identified and treated quickly. In addition, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Surveys are conducted.
Households Served
%
Highest Decrease in Aedes aegypti Females in an Area
Acres Covered
Schools with Mosquito
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Click on the tiles below to learn how to reduce mosquitoes and keep you, your family & your neighbours safe:
Make your home a mosquito-free zone! You have the power!
We believe that everyone must play a role in local mosquito control and disease prevention efforts – starting at home! BugOut provides the necessary education and support to make everyone a participant. Our BugOut Vector Control team in Virgin Gorda are working with residents and homeowners to directly assist with mosquito control in and around their properties. We have a great list of resources for residents and homeowners, including checklists to help you ensure your home is protected against mosquitoes! – click here to find out about controlling mosquitoes at home and more!
Businesses and workplaces large and small play a vital role in the prevention of vector-borne diseases. Each business on Virgin Gorda should have an action plan for reducing or eliminating Aedes aegypti breeding grounds. This helps improve the safety of both employees and customers! Businesses should follow BugOut’s three C’s:
- Clean-up: Create a dedicated team comprised of ownership and employees to help find and reduce breeding sites on your property;
- Communicate: Post information posters in and around your business property that highlight breeding sites and how to prevent bites;
- Cover-up: Talk about Aedes mosquitoes with your employees and customers – make sure everyone knows where they lay eggs and what they can do to prevent bites.
Take a look at our resources page here for helpful posters and information to use within your workplace or business. Contact us to arrange a visit from one of our team.
We know students and education play one of the most important roles in fighting mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. BugOut is committed to visiting schools routinely throughout the year, presenting creative presentations to school children of all ages to educate, excite, and inspire them to play a direct role in mosquito larval breeding site reduction and overall awareness. Click here for our on our teacher resources. If you want our team to visit, contact us and we’ll send a BugOut representative to your school.
PROGRESS
Click on the tiles below to find out more:
The Wolbachia Tool: A Proven Success
Partnering with Debug, we have implemented a non-toxic, non-GMO method to suppress disease-carrying mosquito populations on Virgin Gorda. By utilizing Wolbachia – a naturally occurring bacterium – we target the invasive Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes without harmful chemicals or genetic modification.
Unmatched Impact on Virgin Gorda
- 98% Reduction: Achieved in biting female mosquitoes in specific managed areas.
- 81% Reduction: Recorded in the Handsome Bay area.
- 75% Average Reduction: Realized across the entire Valley.
- 1.5+ Million Mosquitoes: Collected, identified, and sexed to ensure data-driven success.
- 1,168 Acres Protected: Covering 1,237 households across the territory.
Fast Facts
- Safety First: Wolbachia is found in 60% of insects and is not found in humans; it cannot be transmitted to people or pets.
- No New Bites: We release only male mosquitoes, which do not bite.
- Eco-Friendly: This method targets only the invasive Aedes aegypti, protecting local biodiversity and the food chain.
- Globally Recognized: Partnered with Verily (Debug), using technology proven in Singapore, Australia, and Puerto Rico.
Project Status
The release phase of this Ministry of Health-approved project successfully concluded on September 14, 2024 with releases continuing at Oil Nut Bay until December 2026. To maintain these historic gains, traditional breeding site treatment and intensive surveillance continue across the island.
Outreach: Inspiring Community Action
Every resident and business on Virgin Gorda plays a vital role in protecting our island’s health and comfort. We empower the community at large to join the mission by following BugOut’s Three C’s:
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Clean-up: Form a dedicated team of family or employees to identify and eliminate breeding sites on your property weekly.
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Communicate: Post information posters around your property that highlight breeding sites and bite prevention.
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Cover-up: Talk to your neighbors, employees, and customers—ensure everyone knows where mosquitoes lay eggs and how to prevent bites.
We believe education is the primary tool for long-term change. The BugOut team is dedicated to empowering the Virgin Gorda community through active engagement.
- School Visits: Delivering interactive, age-appropriate presentations to inspire the next generation of “mosquito warriors”.
- Community Leadership: Establishing a Community Steering Committee and hosting regular public meetings to ensure local voices guide our progress.
- Teacher Resources: Providing free lesson plans and materials to integrate environmental health into the classroom.
Source Reduction
Our “Green, Clean, Healthy” mission prioritizes human and environmental safety by eliminating mosquitoes at the source without toxic chemicals.
- Physical Removal: We work to identify and permanently remove breeding sites, such as stagnant water in ghuts and gutters.
- Safe Treatments: For sites that cannot be removed, we utilize non-toxic, ecologically safe larvicides or mosquito-eating fish.
- Infrastructure Management: We provide advice on sealing septic tanks and managing AC or pump room drainage to prevent standing water. We hope to facilitate rain water gardens to mitigate problem breeding sites.
Infrastructure Management: We offer guidance on preventing standing water by advising on sealing septic tanks and managing drainage from AC or pump rooms. Our goal is to promote the use of rain water gardens as a way to mitigate problematic mosquito breeding sites.
GARDEN PROJECT
Teaching regenerative agriculture, increasing locally grown food and decreasing organic waste dumped are the overarching goals of Green VI’s Garden Project. Through enriched education and hands-on farming activities, our gardens foster students and community members to be mindful of their health, well being, environment and social history.