Efficacy of Two Pyrethroid Insecticides Applied as Barrier Treatments for Managing Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations in Suburban Residential Properties

Abstract

Increased threat of mosquito-borne disease coupled with decreased tolerance of nuisance mosquitoes has opened a market for pest management professionals to offer mosquito control services for homeowners. A pest management professional applied bifenthrin (0.08%) and lambda-cyhalothrin (0.1%) at their maximum label concentrations as barrier treatments. We tested treatments residual efficacy in reducing adult mosquito populations and compared these chemicals against a water control at 24 residential properties (eight replications by three treatments). Mosquito populations were measured on each property by using five methods: CO2-baited Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps (without a light), human landing rates, CDC gravid traps, ovitraps, and sweep nets. Populations were monitored weekly for 2 wk before treatment and 8 wk posttreatment. Additionally, to confirm residual efficacy of each insecticide, a randomly treated leaf underwent a no-choice bioassay with laboratory-reared Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Trap collections were dominantly Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L. Both insecticidal treatments significantly reduced Aedes spp. lambda-Cyhalothrin- and bifenthrin-treated sites had 89.5 and 85.1% fewer Ae. albopictus bites than the untreated control, respectively. Ae. albopictus bioassay results showed significant residual efficacy for both insecticides up to 6 wk posttreatment. There were no significant differences between properties treated with the two insecticides. In contrast, Culex spp. were not reduced by either insecticidal treatment. Our study indicated that barrier sprays applied to low-lying vegetation do not properly target adult daytime resting sites for Culex mosquitoes but that they can reduce Aedes mosquitoes. Perhaps by treating upper tree canopies Culex spp. abundance may be reduced.

Behavioral Responses of Two Dengue Virus Vectors,Aedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae), to DUET and its Components

“…The species of target mosquitoes can clearly affect the efÞcacy of treatment as demonstrated in laboratory (Pridgeon et al 2008, Cooperband and and Þeld studies (Groves et al 1997, Trout et al 2007). Behavioral studies on sublethal exposure to different pyrethroids demonstrated differences in ßight duration, velocity, turn angle, and angular velocity in three species of mosquitoes (Cohnstaedt and Allan 2011).…”

Investigation of Habitat Effects on the Spatial Distribution of Lutzomyia shannoni Across Heterogeneous Environments, With Note of Respective Mosquito Species Compositions

“…Understanding of sand ßy habitat and presumed adult resting areas are central components to the management strategies described for many phlebotomines and mosquitoes (Perich et al 1993, Alexander et al 1995, Robert and Perich 1995, Hubbard et al 2005, Trout et al 2006, Trout et al 2007.…”

Residual Effectiveness of λ-Cyhalothrin Harbourage Sprays Against Foliage-Resting Mosquitoes in North Queensland

“…This species has been shown to potentially transmit at least 22 arboviruses, including dengue and chikungunya (Gratz 2004, Horwood et al 2013, and prefers resting on low, deeply shaded vegetation and leaf litter (Hawley 1988, Hubbard et al 2005, Lam et al 2010 in and around the community. This resting preference and suggestions from prior publications (Trout et al 2007, Li et al 2010) resulted in the adoption of harborage spray techniques by the Tropical Public Health Services. These treatments also are expected to provide additional beneÞt with the reduction of other foliage-resting mosquitoes near residential properties.…”