Chemical Control of Mosquitoes

DONALD J. SUTHERLAND, Professor Emeritus

Mosquito Research and Control, Department of Entomology

From "Insecticides for Mosquito Control in New Jersey, 1996", New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Publication No. P-40400-01-96.

   To serve the citizens of New Jersey, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station annually reviews the choice of insecticides to be used by the county mosquito commissions and other agencies responsible for reducing the population of nuisance and vector species of mosquitoes. The Station bases its selection on experience and research in mosquito control since 1912, including factors of safety, economy and efficiency under New Jersey conditions. Selection is also dependent with State and Federal authorities and professional organizations in mosquito research and control. Professional mosquito control in New Jersey relies on the surveillance of mosquito sources and problems and the proper consideration of options for control, such as water management, biological control, and insecticides. This integrated and comprehensive approach to the control of mosquitoes utilizes all available control strategies to reduce the status of mosquitoes as pests to tolerable levels while maintaining a quality environment.

   When mosquito problems necessitate the use of insecticides, generally it is best to employ larvicides and pupicides, since they are directed efficiently at the most concentrated developmental stage of the mosquito and reduce the need for adulticiding. Larviciding/pupiciding should only be performed by the county commissions or other county and state agencies charged with the responsibility for mosquito control. If weather or environmental concerns prevent such efforts, then adulticides can be used shortly after emergence when adult mosquitoes are still concentrated in their source area and before they have dispersed. In an integrated approach in the management of mosquito populations, adulticiding may be necessary for dispersed or migrating adult mosquitoes. Since the recommended adulticides are non-persistent with no residual toxicity to adult mosquitoes, special attention should be given to the level of mosquito activity and the environmental conditions in order to insure the maximum efficiency of the application.

   According to N.J.A.C. 7:30, for the application of any pesticide commercially, or restricted pesticides privately, or of any pesticide in public places, the applicator or the direct supervisor must be registered and certified by the Bureau of Pesticide Control. As of October 1, 1977, additional certification was required in the certification category Public Health Control, category CPA 8B Mosquito Control. Other related categories include 8C Campgrounds, CPA 11 Aerial Application Pest Control, and CPA 10 Demonstration and Research Pest Control. Training manuals may be obtained from your local county cooperative extension office or the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, SEBS-Cook College (908-932-9801). For additional information regarding pesticide regulations contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Pesticide Control Program, Trenton, New Jersey. Telephone: 609-530-4070.

 


Center for Vector Biology