 The mosquito is nobody's favourite creature. For many, it's a blood-sucking pest that ruins a summer day. For millions, it's the cause of sickness, even death. A major outbreak of the tzika disease in Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted the urgent need for more effective mosquito control methods. The IAA, in cooperation with the FAO, responded swiftly to the tzika crisis by making available a nuclear technique that controls pests by rendering the males infertile with radiation. Millions of sterile male insects need to be released in the wild over many months. Eventually, populations decline because mating produces no offspring. The experts are now developing techniques for the mass rearing of mosquitoes. Over 100,000 mosquitoes from three different species are kept here. Special attention is given to this one, adis egypti, which is responsible for spreading the tzika virus. An environment has been created for the entire life cycle of the mosquito. From the egg to the larvae, the pupae to the adult. Research has been conducted to find the right dose of radiation to sterilise the males without damaging them or affecting their mating ability. When fully implemented and used with other control methods, the sterile insect technique could help countries reduce their numbers and cope better with the diseases these small but deadly creatures can spread.