ARS | Publication request: Economic evaluation of area-wide pest management program to control asian tiger mosquito in New Jersey

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 23, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Area-wide pest management (AWPM) is recommended to control urban mosquitoes, such as Aedes albopictus, which limit outdoor activities. While several evaluations of effectiveness exist, information on costs is lacking. Economic evaluation of such a program is important to help inform policy makers and obtain appropriate resources. We conducted an economic evaluation for an AWPM in Mercer and Monmouth counties, New Jersey as part of a controlled design (AWPM vs. control). The study analyzed financial documents and time allocated by staff implementing the programs in 2009 and 2010. Also, random samples of households in AWPM and control areas were surveyed each fall since 2008 by a combination of mailed, telephone and in-person interviews. Sample sizes in data available ranged from 311 in 2008 to 396 in 2010. Hours lost were differences between actual and potential hours of yard and porch activities in an average summer week if there were no mosquitoes. Net estimated benefits of AWPM were based on a difference-in-difference analysis (between years and areas). Reductions in hours lost were valued based on respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical extra hour free of mosquitoes that they could spend in yard or porch activities. The share of residents in AWPM areas reporting mosquitoes as a major nuisance decreased from 68.6% in 2008 to 46.0% in 2010. The net impact was an 11.6% reduction in mosquitoes nuisances (p=0.11). Numbers of hours lost per week due to mosquitoes in AWPM areas between the base year (2008) and the second intervention year 2010 declined (mean'SEM) by 1.88'4.19 hours/week in intervention areas compared to control areas, indicating potential program effectiveness (p=.32). This translated to 24.4 hours gained over the 13-week summer. Residents’ WTP averaged $2/hour (range: $1-$3), indicating a monetary valuation per resident of $49/year (range: $24-$73). The average per capita expenditure on AWPM was $30/year. These give a net benefit per resident of $19/year (range: -$6-$43) and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.63 (range: 0.81-2.44). The program had favorable behavioral impact. The benefit-cost analysis of data to date suggests a positive net benefit of the AWPM from residents being able to enjoy more time on porches and yards.