title: Economic evaluation of an area-wide integrated pest management program to control the Asian tiger mosquito in New Jersey.
abstract: Aedes albopictus is the most invasive mosquito in the world, an important disease vector, and a biting nuisance that limits outdoor activities. Area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) is the recommended control strategy. We conducted an economic evaluation of the AW-IPM project in Mercer and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey with a controlled design (AW-IPM vs. control) from 2009 through 2011. The study analyzed financial documents and staff time for AW-IPM and surveyed an average of 415 randomly chosen households in AW-IPM and control areas each fall from 2008 through 2011. Hours lost from yard and porch activities were calculated as differences between actual and potential hours of these activities in an average summer week if there had been no mosquito concerns. Net estimated benefits of AW-IPM were based on cross-over and difference-in-difference analyses. Reductions in hours lost were valued based on respondents' willingness to pay for a hypothetical extra hour free of mosquitoes spent on yard or porch activities and literature on valuation of a quality adjusted life year (QALY). The incremental cost of AW-IPM per adult was $41.18 per year. Number of hours lost due to mosquitoes in AW-IPM areas between the base year (2008) and the intervention years (2009-2011) declined by 3.30 hours per summer week in AW-IPM areas compared to control areas. Survey respondents valued this improvement at $27.37 per adult per summer week. Over the 13-week summer, an average adult resident gained 42.96 hours of yard and porch time, worth $355.82. The net benefit over the summer was $314.63. With an average of 0.0027 QALYs gained per adult per year, AW-IPM was cost effective at $15,300 per QALY gained. The benefit-cost ratio from hours gained was 8.64, indicating that each $1 spent on AW-IPM gave adults additional porch and yard time worth over $8.
authors.affiliation: The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Shepard
authors.affiliation: The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Yara A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Halasa
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dina M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Mercer County Mosquito Control, West Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America; Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ary
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farajollahi
authors.affiliation: Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission, Eatontown, New Jersey, United States of America; Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaugler
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America; Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bartlett-Healy
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Strickman
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Gary G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000330:Aedes; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000191:economics*; D009515:New Jersey; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires