Assessing the trade-offs in more nature-friendly mosquito control in the Upper Rhine region

Abstract

Recent studies show that the widely used mosquito control agent Bti has more negative effects on nature than previously expected. However, it is not yet clear whether people support a more nature-friendly mosquito control, as such an adaptation could potentially lead to higher nuisance. This study explores this question by assessing the willingness to pay for an adapted mosquito control strategy that reduces the use of Bti, while maintaining nuisance protection within settlements. For this purpose, a Contingent Valuation Study was conducted in the German Upper Rhine Valley. The results show that the majority of the surveyed population attaches a high value to a more nature-friendly mosquito control in terms of willingness to pay and is willing to accept a higher nuisance outside the villages. Policy makers should, thus, foster the development and implementation of such more nature-friendly mosquito control strategies to increase both environmental and societal benefits.