[Going into the 21st century: should one dream or act?]

A historical review of vector control is made. Despite the available tools, vector borne diseases are still a priority in Public Health. Magic tools, like DDT, were often misused. Adapted strategies and structures for vector control are now required. Progress will mainly result from research and evaluation done in the framework of vector control programmes. Discovery of new tools will find in these operational programmes a point of fall for their application.