ARS | Publication request: Evaluation of ULV and Thermal Fog Mosquito Control Applications in Temperate and Desert Environments

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 28, 2010
Publication Date: March 28, 2010
Citation: Linthicum, K., Britch, S.C., Wynn, W.W., Walker, T., Farooq, M., Smith, V., Robinson, C., Lothrop, B., Snelling, M., Gutierrez, A., Lothrop, H., Wittie, J. 2010. Evaluation of ULV and Thermal Fog Mosquito Control Applications in Temperate and Desert Environments. Presentation at the 76th Annual Meeting of the American Mosquito Control Association in Lexington, Kentucky on March 28 - April 1, 2010; pg. 33.

Technical Abstract: 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 affected 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 and sumithrin 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 two technologies for force health protection.