Cockroaches, termites, hornets and other insects which keep
haunting the human race have become a new threat in the
urbanization process of many countries.
Man is becoming more and more anxious about the harm caused by
these insects. Having adapted to city life, they can find their
ways into kitchens and living rooms, inside and outside buildings,
and can even take world trips in modern vehicles.
Urbanologists say that nearly half of the world's population is
living in cities today, compared with 1.7 percent at the beginning
of the 18th century. "With urbanization, more insects have migrated
from the countryside to the city," said one of them.
Global warming, humidity and the wide use of air-conditioners have
created a favorable environment for insects to live in and
reproduce rapidly, say scientists attending a recent seminar on the
harm caused by insects and held in the capital city of
Zhejiang Province, east China.
In
recent years termite plagues have been reported in many parts of
China.
In
south China, 40 to 50 percent of houses and 80 to 90 percent of
antique buildings are endangered by termites.
China spends an average of 830 million yuan (US$ 10 million) per
year to repair the embankments destroyed by clusters of
termites.
Making use of the biological chain, scientists have raised
bethyloids and aphid lions in the Temple of Heaven, a site of
historic interest in Beijing open to tourists as a park, to rid it
of longhorn beetles and aphids that harm the trees.
The biological chain and modern genetic engineering are also
helping scientists to get rid of mosquitoes and cockroaches in many
cities.
Insect plagues have given rise to a growing number of professional
companies that provide consulting services and help rid hotels,
hospitals, vehicles, offices, workshops as well as communities and
households of insects. The services and pesticides they offer have
great market potential, says an expert.
(China
Daily November 2, 2001)