Evaluation of ULV and thermal fog mosquito control applications in temperate and desert environments.
Ultra-low-volume (ULV) and thermal fog aerosol dispersals of pesticides have been used against mosquitoes and other insects for half a century. Although each spray technology has advantages and disadvantages, only 7 studies have been identified that directly compare their performance in the field. US military personnel currently operating in hot-arid environments are impacted by perpetual nuisance and disease vector insect problems, despite adulticide operations using modern pesticide-delivery equipment such as ULV. None of the identified comparative studies has looked at the relative feasibility and efficacy of ULV and thermal fog equipment against mosquitoes in hot-arid environments. In this study we examine the impact of ULV and thermal fog applications of malathion against caged sentinel mosquitoes in the field in a warm temperate area of Florida, followed by a similar test in a hot-dry desert area of southern California. Patterns of mortality throughout 150 m x 150 m grids of sentinel mosquitoes indicate greater efficacy from the thermal fog application in both environments under suboptimal ambient weather conditions. We discuss the implications of these findings for future military preventive medicine activities and encourage further investigations into the relative merits of the 2 technologies for force health protection.
Britch
Seth C
SC
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
Linthicum
Kenneth J
KJ
Wynn
Wayne W
WW
Walker
Todd W
TW
Farooq
Muhammad
M
Smith
Vincent L
VL
Robinson
Cathy A
CA
Lothrop
Branka B
BB
Snelling
Melissa
M
Gutierrez
Arturo
A
Lothrop
Hugh D
HD
Kerce
Jerry D
JD
Becnel
James J
JJ
Bernier
Ulrich R
UR
Pridgeon
Julia W
JW
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000187:drug effects*; D004777:Environment; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008294:Malathion / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
D000336:Aerosols; D007306:Insecticides; D008294:Malathion