Spring showers bring not only flowers but also mosquitoes. Heavy rains will produce standing areas of water ideal for mosquito egg laying and development. As a PMP, understanding mosquito biology and their habits increases the effectiveness of management strategies.
Mosquitoes don’t need a lot of water to develop. In fact, mosquitoes can develop in as little as a bottle cap full of water. Practically anything that can hold water around a structure could be a potential mosquito development site. Turn over containers like flowerpots, kiddie pools, bowls etc., around an account to limit development sites and reduce mosquito populations.
How do Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) affect mosquitoes?
IGRs affect immature mosquitoes, not the adults. Larval mosquitoes that are treated often do not develop into adults or have severe morphological issues when trying to molt. Additionally, IGRs can also prevent adult female mosquitoes from laying viable eggs.
Can mosquitoes spread IGRs from treated to untreated areas?
Yes, there is evidence that female mosquitoes can pick up IGRs and spread them into new areas during oviposition. This is called autodissemination and helps spread IGRs beyond just the treated area.
What CSI product is good for mosquito control?DuraFlex® is an excellent option for mosquito control. This product combines an adulticide and two insect growth regulators to maximize control of all mosquito life stages. Apply this liquid product as a perimeter barrier treatment to vegetation and other mosquito resting areas to maximize control.
References:
Swale DR, Li Z, Kraft JZ, Healy K, Liu M, David CM, et al. (2018) Development of an autodissemination strategy for the deployment of novel control agents targeting the common malaria mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus say (Diptera: Culicidae). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 12(4): e0006259. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006259
