Residents across Dhaka say they are struggling with a worsening mosquito infestation, despite assurances from city authorities that control measures are being carried out regularly.
“Mosquitoes are everywhere — inside the house and outside. Even after using repellents and sprays, I cannot sleep properly,” photographer Ratul Chowdhury told TIMES of Bangladesh from Kawla, under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). He said the problem persists even on the ninth floor of a ten-storey building.
Similar complaints have been reported from other parts of the capital.
Nasir Hossain, a tea seller in Bakshibazar under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said he sleeps under a mosquito net and uses coils, yet still suffers bites. “The moment I move my feet outside the net, mosquitoes swarm like bees,” he told TIMES, adding that he now wears socks throughout the day despite the heat.
Residents in Karwan Bazar and other neighbourhoods say coils, sprays and nets are no longer effective. “Dhaka’s mosquitoes buzz less, but bite more,” said Mehdi Hasan, who lives above the 14th floor but still cannot escape them.
A recent joint mosquito surveillance report by Jahangirnagar University and DNCC found that mosquito density increased by 40% in February compared to January.
The study identified larvae in 1,070 stagnant places, largely from Culex and Aedes species. More than 22,000 adult mosquitoes were collected from five zones, with around 85% identified as Culex quinquefasciatus.
However, during visits to areas including Mirpur, Kallyanpur, Shahbagh and Karwan Bazar, TIMES did not observe active mosquito control workers. This contrasts with DNCC Administrator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton’s claim that spraying is conducted twice daily in every area.
Residents dispute this. Chowdhury said he had not seen any recent spraying in Kawla, while Hossain reported occasional once-daily spraying in his area.
Responding to such concerns, DSCC Administrator Mohammad Abdus Salam said claims of twice-daily spraying across all wards were likely exaggerated. “Carrying out fogging twice daily in 75 wards would require significant manpower and must also consider environmental factors,” he told TIMES.
Milton said new initiatives are under way, including mosquito control programmes in schools and a “crash programme” to excavate 29 canals in the north. He added that staff shortages would be addressed through outsourcing, with additional workers expected to begin work within days.
He identified waste management, canal excavation and drain cleaning as key priorities. “If water flows in canals, larvae will not form,” he said, noting preparations ahead of the dengue season.
On insecticide effectiveness, Milton said the commonly used chemical malathion is under review and could be replaced if necessary. He added that while most fogging machines are operational, new ones will be introduced soon following completed procurement processes.
In the south, Abdus Salam maintained that the situation has improved since he took charge. “We have conducted a month-long crash programme. The mosquito situation is now more controlled,” he said, while acknowledging some staffing limitations.
Experts warn that the problem goes beyond fogging. Md Golam Mostafa, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University, said the effectiveness and purity of insecticides remain a concern. “Mosquitoes are also developing resistance to these chemicals over time,” he told TIMES.
He added that poor urban sanitation and stagnant water are major drivers of mosquito breeding. While canal excavation is a positive step, he stressed that water flow must be ensured so canals connect properly to rivers.
Public health expert Mustak Hossain warned of increased dengue risks. Referring to major outbreaks in 2019 and 2023, he said a similar situation could emerge again if conditions persist. “Mosquito control must follow scientific methods, and public participation is essential,” he told TIMES.
Meanwhile, conditions on the ground raise further concerns. In Islambagh under DSCC, stagnant water and foul odours were observed near a garbage station, with parts of the road becoming nearly unusable — highlighting gaps between official claims and the reality on the ground.
As Dhaka approaches the dengue season, the gap between policy, implementation and lived experience remains a growing concern for residents across the capital.
