Controlling Aedes aegypti in Cryptic Environments with Manually Carried Ultra-Low Volume and Mist Blower Pesticide Applications

• Published in: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 217 - 223
• Main Authors: Harwood, James F, Helmey, Wendy L, Turnwall, Brent B, Justice, Kevin D, Farooq, Muhammed, Richardson, Alec G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Mosquito Control Association, Inc 01.09.2016; American Mosquito Control Association
• Subjects: Adult mosquito control; Aedes - growth & development; Aedes aegypti; Animals; Aquatic insects; Armed forces; cold fogger; Environment; Indoor environments; indoor space spray; Insect control; Insecticides; Larva; Larvae; larviciding; Methods; Mineral oils; Mist; Mosquito Control - instrumentation; Mosquitoes; Pesticide application; Pesticides; Preventive medicine; Pupa; Sprays; thermal fogger; ultra-low volume; Vector-borne diseases; United States > US; thermal fogger; ultra-low volume; Adult mosquito control; indoor space spray; larviciding; cold fogger
• ISSN: 8756-971X; 1943-6270
• DOI: 10.2987/16-6553.1

Because Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, exhibits resting and reproductive behaviors that present challenges to control them, pesticide application equipment available for vector control must be evaluated for their ability to control this species in a variety of cryptic environments. Five types of pesticide sprayers, representing 3 spray technologies (1 mister, 2 ultra-low volume [ULV] cold foggers, and 2 ULV thermal foggers), were evaluated for their ability to control adult and immature stages of Ae. aegypti in indoor and outdoor environments. Cages holding adult mosquitoes and larvae were placed in cryptic sites for indoor sprays and placed among dense vegetation for outdoor sprays. Adult and pupal mortality data were recorded following applications of a mixture of synergized pyrethrins and pyriproxyfen. We found that no single sprayer was best suited for controlling Ae. aegypti in indoor and outdoor environments, nor was one best for controlling adult and immature mosquitoes. Sprayers producing larger droplets (misters and cold foggers) were more effective in controlling immature mosquitoes indoors and outdoors. Thermal fogging was more effective in controlling adults indoors, whereas cold fogs and misters were more effective for outdoor control.