Behind the Scenes Look: Utilizing Technology for Successful Surveillance & Disease Testing

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Mosquito Surveillance & Disease Testing Technologies

Responsible mosquito management involves targeting mosquitoes at all stages of their lifecycle. A holistic, integrated approach is the most effective strategy to halt population growth and prevent the spread of deadly diseases while reducing environmental footprint.

surveillance and disease testing

Mosquito surveillance is the cornerstone of an integrated mosquito management (IMM) program. This begins with assessing breeding sites and eliminating mosquitoes at the larval stage. By analyzing population dynamics and species distribution, adult mosquitoes can be safely and effectively controlled. Proactive mosquito surveillance programs and data collection also allow scientists to optimize the use of insecticides and limit spraying to specific areas at precise times. These mosquito surveillance techniques reduce the chance of insecticide resistance, which can create additional challenges and expenses for stakeholders.

mosquito lab testing collecting dataHighly targeted, carefully formulated insecticides are used by experts to safely control mosquitoes and mitigate the risk of vector-borne disease transmission. Though insecticides are an impactful tool in mosquito management, it’s possible for mosquitoes to become resistant to them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if mortality drops to a rate of less than 90%, the mosquito population is considered insecticide resistant.

Insecticide resistance typically occurs during prolonged exposure to insecticides used during the management process. Continued use in moderately susceptible populations can result in the selection of resistant individuals and loss of insecticide sensitivity in certain areas—something that is particularly dangerous during large mosquito outbreaks following rainstorms, hurricanes, and other serious weather events. Insecticide resistance not only contributes to wasted time and resources but it also endangers communities through increased disease transmission.

mosquito lab testingThe best way to prevent insecticide resistance is ongoing mosquito surveillance and monitoring. IMM programs incorporate strategic mosquito surveillance and monitoring efforts throughout the management season to gather information about species bionomics, active periods, host preferences, and the presence of disease. This knowledge about local mosquito populations is used to determine the severity of a nuisance outbreak and inform control efforts. 

Scientists have multiple ways to collect information. Each method is selected based on the unique challenges a community is facing.

Mosquito Surveillance Traps

CDC Light Traps

These mosquito surveillance light traps, which were developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, are considered the industry standard for mosquito surveillance and collection. Like the New Jersey light trap, it attracts many different species, but it is portable. A 6V battery powers a motorized fan that circulates carbon dioxide (CO2) as an attractant. Once they enter the mosquito surveillance trap, mosquitoes are sucked into a collection device. CDC traps are most effective when deployed at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

BG-Sentinel Trap

This mosquito surveillance trap is designed to capture Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito), each of which are known to carry diseases, including Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika virus, and Yellow Fever. Both species thrive in urban environments where they can breed in natural and artificial containers such as gutters, bird baths, watering cans, and outdoor equipment. The BG-Sentinel trap, which is made of a tarp-like material, utilizes an attractant to lure mosquitoes into a funnel. The funnel is outfitted with an electric fan that pulls them into a net where they will remain until collection.

mosquito trapsGravid Trap

Gravid traps are designed to catch Culex mosquitoes, such as Culex tarsalis or Culex pipiens. These species are capable of spreading West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and both Western and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Each gravid trap is filled with stagnant water containing organic matter like grass or hay to mimic natural breeding grounds. As Culex mosquitoes approach, they are sucked by an electric fan into the trap for future collection.

New Jersey Light Trap

The New Jersey light trap is effective at capturing a wide spectrum of mosquito species. It is typically used as a permanent mosquito surveillance tool that’s mounted and powered by an outlet in target areas. The New Jersey light trap is a beneficial tool to support IMM programs—it is capable of collecting large quantities of local mosquitoes for scientific analysis and data collection. 

Lab Disease Testing

PCR Tests 

Clinical tests are commonly used in the industry to identify mosquito-borne diseases. PCR tests, for example, allow laboratory technicians to detect different bacteria or viruses that have been transmitted by mosquitoes. Though PCR tests are also used to detect Covid-19, it’s important to note that mosquitoes do not spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

RAMP® WNv Tests

RAMP tests are also widely used in the industry. This highly-sensitive test is designed to detect West Nile virus in mosquitoes. A RAMP test can be conducted quickly and efficiently in-house, making it particularly useful following hurricanes and weather events.

Monitoring for Insecticide Resistance

CDC Bottle Bioassay

One of the most important tools when monitoring for insecticide resistance is the CDC Bottle Bioassay. As part of the testing process, bottles are coated with a diluted pesticide solution and then paired with a control group. Female adult mosquitoes are deposited into each bottle, where they are exposed to stressful conditions. Mortality data is then collected and analyzed by scientists for evidence of insecticide resistance. 

Larval Cup Bioassay

Larvicides are central to proactive mosquito management programs, and resistance is less common; however, it can still occur. Larval control agents work through either ingestion or contact with the target host, depending on the product used. Like the bottle bioassay process, cups are coated with bacterial larvicides like Bacillus thuringiensis israliensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), or Spinosad and examined for mortality data. 

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GPS/GIS Technology

Modern GPS/GIS technologies have made it possible to gather large amounts of data for site mapping, disease tracking, and analysis. This information can be compared over time to identify trends or patterns that help advise the direction of management programs and ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory standards. 

Now, GPS technologies are being integrated into advanced aerial equipment. VDCI’s state of the art drones give technicians a birds-eye-view of target sites for more streamlined site surveillance and mapping, as well as more precise pesticide applications. Likewise, advanced drones allow experts to observe and treat areas that are dangerous, like swamps and wetlands, or more private, like HOAs and other large communities.

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Scientists have many advanced tools at their disposal for trapping, species identification, and disease testing, but the most valuable approach is preventative management. Proactive mosquito surveillance, monitoring, communication, and stakeholder education can help experts identify and quickly mitigate disease risks before a community is impacted. VDCI has the experience, necessary mosquito surveillance equipment, industry-leading technologies, and capabilities to handle all of your mosquito surveillance and disease monitoring needs.

Contact Our Experts​

Complete the form below or call 800-413-4445 to speak to an expert who can help you develop a custom mosquito surveillance and control program to meet your community’s needs.

Government Partners in Mosquito ManagementSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Reshaping the Mosquito Control Industry

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Technologies for Integrated Mosquito Management

Every year, new technologies emerge that help keep people safer, healthier, and happier. This includes technologies used in the mosquito management industry.

Vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes are responsible for killing more than one million people annually. That’s why the development of new innovations is key in the mission to prevent mosquitoes from endangering communities worldwide. 

When we choose to utilize advanced technologies, it’s because they enhance the accuracy, efficacy, and safety of our work. Here are some of the innovations we utilize as part of mosquito surveillance programs and Integrated Mosquito Management programs to help keep the communities we serve safe.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology

Without data, it’s difficult to understand the effectiveness of mosquito control efforts or fully demonstrate to stakeholders the financial return of their investment. It’s also more challenging to strategize an effective management plan. GIS mapping can be utilized in nearly every facet of an integrated mosquito management program, from tracking larval and adulticide applications to monitoring mosquito populations and disease data via mosquito surveillance equipment. Over time, this information can be analyzed to identify trends or patterns and determine the overall impact of treatment efforts.

arcmap_biggerBeyond the day to day operations of an IMM program, GIS technology has several other applications. GIS serves as a critical tool for regulatory compliance, as maps can be used to both assure compliance and also streamline requirements for initiatives like NPDES permitting. Through mosquito surveillance, maps that show disease monitoring in a given area can also be used to support public education and communications throughout the community. Lastly, federal, state, and local governments use GIS to aid in emergency response efforts.

Mosquito Surveillance Traps and Lab Analysis

Mosquito Surveillance & Disease Testing Reduce Mosquito-borne Disease 3Mosquito surveillance traps are not used to control adult mosquitoes; rather, they serve as an important mosquito surveillance tool for collecting data on species distribution, population dynamics, and calculating disease risk based on vector competence.

Our professionals utilize several types of mosquito surveillance traps, including the CDC Miniature Light Trap, Gravid Trap, BG-Sentinel, and New Jersey Light Trap, just to name a few.  Collection, counting, and identification of the mosquitoes through a mosquito surveillance program help staff determine which abatement solutions should be employed.  Once collected, mosquitoes also undergo professional testing and analysis at the lab. Oftentimes, the diseases mosquitoes can transmit can be detected in the mosquitoes themselves weeks before they can be passed on to their human and animal hosts. This gives mosquito management experts a window of opportunity to take action to reduce the risk of human disease transmission in the local community and is one of the reasons that mosquito surveillance programs are so vital.

Technologies Used for Mosquito Control Applications

Mosquito management professionals utilize several technologies when conducting larviciding and adulticiding applications. Data gathered from mosquito surveillance programs ensures that we are spraying in the right places and at the right time.

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Ground Application Technology

For smaller areas, crews may choose to perform ground applications using either backpacks or power sprayers capable of holding 2-100 gallons of product.  Whether an application is done by hand or with specialized truck-based equipment, they’re calibrated frequently, and all applications are recorded in VDCI”s proprietary database.  

Aerial Application Technology

Planes

For large areas that need to be treated quickly or places you simply can’t access with vehicles, aerial fleets are the go-to option. VDCI operates one of the world’s largest aerial fleets dedicated to mosquito control and services customers from coast to coast.

Aerial Spraying Malcom 9

Aircraft equipped for adult mosquito control utilize the Wingman® GX spray optimization and guidance software in addition to an AIMMS-20 onboard meteorological probe to ensure the most effective application possible. This integrated system is the only scientifically validated one of its kind that incorporates constant real-time meteorological data at the release height to optimize the entire application. This optimization ensures that the maximum spray cloud droplet density is delivered to the target zones, thus providing you with the maximum level of mosquito control.

Each member of VDCI’s flight crew is highly trained and licensed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Crews utilize military-grade ANVIS -6 night vision goggles on all nighttime spray missions to increase visibility and accuracy. At the completion of each spray mission, data is downloaded from the aircraft, and reports are generated, providing our customers with a visual depiction of the spray mission, along with the vital statistics of each spray.

Unmanned Aerial Drones

Recent advancements in drone technology have provided a new way to reach and treat areas that were previously inaccessible via ground or plane.

drones mosquito management

Our drones are custom-built by Leading Edge Aerial Technologies, Inc. for commercial applications. Each drone exhibits a 6ft wingspan and is equipped with superior features that are operated remotely by a professional team. Drones are supported by GPS technology to access mapped target sites and guide precision applications using granular products. They are also configured with state-of-the-art software that blocks filming, so homeowners can have peace of mind while drone applications occur nearby.

VDCI Remains At The Forefront of Vector Industry Advancements

VDCI is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in mosquito surveillance and mosquito control, and creating new standards for safety and efficiency. We employ a wide array of technology, ranging from mosquito surveillance tools to advanced software systems to state-of-the-art application equipment, to provide you with the most comprehensive mosquito surveillance and management services possible. Contact or call our experts at 800-413-4445 to discuss the most effective control solutions for your community.

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VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Introducing Drone Technology to Our Aerial Fleet

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Drones for Integrated Mosquito Management

VDCI is dedicated to leading the charge on innovations within the vector control industry. Dual-engine aircrafts, specialized GPS-monitoring systems, and cutting-edge surveillance technologies have remained a staple for our advanced treatment strategies and natural disaster response efforts. Now, VDCI is expanding capabilities with the use of aerial drone technology.

Why use drones?

Drones fulfill the growing need for mosquito management services in more compact or sensitive areas. VDCI’s drone fleet is designed with state-of-the-art equipment that lends speed, precision, and discretion to existing ground operations, particularly across dense, unstable terrain or ecologically protected habitats. These hard-to-reach spots can be inaccessible to teams in trucks or on foot, making mosquito control initiatives more tedious, dangerous, and costly. 

Drones fill the gap between ground and plane applications in these kinds of locations. This highly maneuverable technology uses GPS technology to access mapped target sites, and guide precision applications using a variety of products. 

Who operates the drones?

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In contrast to hobbyist drones, our unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are custom-built by Leading Edge Aerial Technologies, Inc. for commercial applications. Each drone exhibits a 6ft wingspan and is equipped with superior features that are operated remotely by a professional team.

Each drone pilot is licensed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has extensive knowledge of airspace regulations, maintenance procedures, and emergency response. These experts are also experienced with superior drone programming techniques that facilitate up to 150 acres of product applications per day.

Are drones safe for mosquito control?

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Not only do drones help our ground application crews avoid navigating precarious locations like swamps and wetlands – which can be home to alligators, snakes, and other dangerous species – their rechargeable electric batteries can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These precautions and sustainable initiatives directly align with VDCI’s commitment to always protecting both the environment and our people. 

Additionally, drones are especially quiet and unobtrusive around residential spaces. They are configured with software that block filming, so homeowners can have peace of mind while mosquito management efforts take place nearby.

Another tool in our advanced toolbox:

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Drones are transforming the way we approach vector control programs, and the technology will continue to progress at a rapid rate. Nevertheless, drones are but one tool in our arsenal of advanced solutions that comprise an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program. A layered IMM approach that integrates a multitude of strategies will generate the most effective and long-lasting results for stakeholders.

Have more questions about drones for mosquito management?

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Contact Us to Learn More About Drone Technology for Mosquito Management

Government Partners in Mosquito and Tick ManagementSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Mosquito Management Trucks: Science on Wheels

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Explore the Capabilities of Mosquito Management Trucks

Like cell phones, computers, and domestic beer, today’s adult mosquito fogging trucks bear little resemblance to their predecessors from the not too distant past. While Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fogging machines have been in use for decades the technology to collect data, map, and apply pesticides in the pursuit of controlling adult mosquito populations is as cutting-edge as never before. The utilization of such technology allows mosquito control professionals across the country to practice adult mosquito control via a “science on wheels” approach which places primacy on accuracy, efficacy, and safety as well as the capacity to generate information useful and frequently necessary for clients in addition to helping the employee performing the application.

On-Board Computers

Laptops or notebook computers are increasingly becoming standard on mosquito fogging trucks throughout the nation with mission-specific software designed by fellow mosquito control experts well-versed in the unique workings of the industry. More than a few such people have spent time in the past behind the wheel of a fogging truck themselves, often frustrated dealing with subpar or technologically inferior equipment. Their practical collective firsthand knowledge resulted in the creation of a set of tools based on real-world experience. This, in turn, allows for customization, flexibility, and reliability when responding to customer needs and requests.

Mobile Mapping

Fogging trucks in professional mosquito control fleets are also increasingly equipped with GPS enabled location technology that allows the driver to not only see where he or she is going but the capability to generate a detailed map that can be utilized for future driver use, given to a client or inquiring resident, placed on a community website, etc. Such maps are also often necessary to properly satisfy compliance with a state, county or municipality’s regulatory agency. GPS can also be used to regulate pesticide flow rate, increasing or decreasing said rate depending on the speed of the truck, thereby ensuring an even discharge throughout the application. Such satellite-guided on the ground technology was all but unthinkable even a scant five years ago. Today it is a profession-wide reality the result of which are levels of pesticide application and monitoring accuracy heretofore all but unknown.

Modern Mosquito Fogging Equipment

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Of course, even the best technology is all but worthless if the fogging equipment itself is not properly working. Many mosquito control operations are in the midst of updating ULV fogging machines throughout the country, replacing older models with new ones more suited to today’s technology and standardizing the types of machines used as much as possible. Not only will this create logistical consistency throughout a company, but it also allows ease of troubleshooting should issues arise. Properly maintained by employees specifically trained for such duties, these new fleets of fogging machines will provide customers at every level with an effective, reliable, precise, and data-driven means to control adult mosquitoes for years to come.

Adopting Technology to Protect Public Health

In the past much pesticide-related data collection, notation, and application were accomplished by means of educated guesswork at best, which, for obvious reasons, is simply no longer a sustainable or even desirable approach. The industry’s eager and on-going adoption of mosquito-specific, current day technology replaces conjecture with facts, speculation with data, invaluably aiding in management decisions that should improve our industry’s standing with our customers and the public at large. This science on wheels approach provides the answers to the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions and requirements increasingly posed to and expected of mosquito control professionals across the country. The industry is active in creating many of the technologies surfacing, and national and global mosquito control teams are grateful for the new tools to support the common mission to protect public health.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_square Since 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Getting Smart With Technology: GIS and Mosquito Management

Utilizing Technology to Effectively Manage Mosquitoes

A geographic information system, GIS, is a set of tools that allow us to visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data. By creating maps, reports, or charts, you can reveal relationships, patterns, or trends in data that often play a significant role in decision making.

GIS is designed to capture data and store it in various digital formats (individual files, databases, geodatabases, etc.) so that data can be edited and managed with ease. Most industries and businesses of all sizes can benefit from GIS to improve record keeping, provide guidance on where to apply financial and human resources, and support communication and education efforts with employees and customers. The technology offers a variety of data to assist in decision-making, which is vital within industries that manage time-sensitive projects and/or services where public education and public health are a concern.

What Role Can GIS Technology Play in Effective Mosquito Control?

A keystone of the Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) approach is managing data. GIS data can be analyzed and presented in a visual manner that many find easier to understand. The greatest resource that is provided as a result of GIS technology is a map! Maps are a beautiful way to highlight data. The visual aids combine findings and give it context that is customized for a specific audience. Additionally, customers can be provided with activity reports on a regular basis depending on their needs. As part of an IMM program GIS technology can help:

Track Larval Habitats and Larval Control Applications

Field technicians can use GPS coordinates to collect data related to larval habitats and larvicide applications. Data can include marking a location that was visited, noting if a location had larval activity, or tracking how much product was applied to a given area.

Process Surveillance and Disease Monitoring Data

gis-map_250x166.jpgUsing GIS can provide a clear idea of what is happening in the mosquito populations in any given area. First, trap locations can be recorded and added to a database. Next, mosquito counts and species identified can be populated for each location. Then, disease testing can be inputted for each trap and mapped on an ongoing basis. Additionally, service requests can be logged and mapped to help identify problem areas.

Determine Adulticide Application and Treatment Exclusion Areas

By tracking the mosquito populations, managers can make educated decisions on whether control measures are needed as well as when and where to make adulticide applications. The data allows mosquito control technicians to set parameters and load a base map for each mosquito application mission. During a ground mission, a technician’s truck has a GPS controlled variable flow Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) sprayer and a PC within the cab that displays a moving map and mission database to record the GIS data. All aspects of adulticide applications (ground or aerial) can be recorded including but not limited to time and date of application, the application rate, the product utilized, the amount of product applied, and the specific route with notes on exclusion areas. 

In addition to the practical applications, in the day-to-day operations of an IMM program, GIS can assist in:

Regulatory Compliance

To maintain individual and corporate compliance and licensing with multiple government agencies and jurisdictions is a daunting task. By accurately recording and mapping all aspects of a program, maps can be used to assure regulatory compliance and streamline requirements for initiatives like NPDES permitting.

Inventory Management

When ULV application equipment is coupled with GPS tracking units and on-board GIS monitoring systems, accurate chemical use is recorded. This allows program managers to know exactly how much adulticide is being used during every spray mission, which in turn provides them with the data they need to manage their product inventory efficiently. In larvicide applications, GIS data provides accurate area measurements so technicians know how much product to apply at any given site and managers know how much product they need to have on hand to treat all the sites in their program.

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Public Education

By mapping public health risks, associated with disease monitoring in mosquito populations, GIS can support a community’s efforts to communicate if there is a mosquito-borne disease concern in a given area.

Emergency Response

Federal, state, and local governments use GIS to aid in emergency response efforts. GIS has played an integral role in controlling mosquito outbreaks after tropical storms, hurricanes, and intense flooding.

Utilizing GIS to Drive More Effective IMM Programs

GIS can be utilized in every facet of an integrated mosquito management program. With ongoing advances in technology, the possibilities of GIS improving the efforts to protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases are endless.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_square Since 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.

Success of Truck-Based Wide-Area Larvicide Application

Managing Mosquito Larvae with Innovative Trucks

Cities around the globe continue to learn about new control methods that can protect their growing populations from disease-carrying insects.

The emergence of Zika virus in the Americas brought to light many of the challenges facing mosquito control programs and abatement districts throughout the world as well as within the United States. Traditional door-to-door interventions for managing urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) have put financial stress on many programs and encouraged investigation into novel or alternate application technologies. 

It can prove challenging to supply enough manpower to turn over every flowerpot, remove garbage, and inspect every clogged gutter in densely populated areas. Residential technicians also find limited access to private commercial and individual properties and are challenged to identify or access the small and cryptic breeding grounds utilized by these invasive urban mosquito species. The new public health threat associated with Zika, combined with management obstacles, have forced new thinking on how to control mosquitoes within densely populated areas.

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Looking for New Innovative Ways to Control Mosquitoes

The mosquito management industry is frequently looking for new and innovative methodologies for controlling mosquito populations, and the introduction of another mosquito-borne illness to the U.S. is creating a greater focus on the urban environments of the Aedes species previously mentioned. The VDCI team has spent much of this year exploring innovative technologies with the hopes of reducing the manpower necessary for managing mosquito populations in densely populated areas. Truck-based larvicide applications seek to increase the distance that a larvicide can travel, and with the right droplet size we can reach backyard habitats and other areas not easily reached on foot.

How Wide-Area Larviciding Helped Reduce Adult Mosquito Populations

While working with Broward County, Florida last season our team was able to assess the efficacy of Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based application equipment within several areas of South Florida. While these types of applications are still in their infancy, we had the opportunity to characterize droplet density and do larval cup assays during a real life application. Our team was able to collect data with regards to spray penetration and larval mortality at three (3) locations (front, middle, and back) within twelve (12) individual properties.

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The results were impressive. We found an average mortality of 90% across all locations of the tested habitats. Containers at the front and the sides of homes provided the strongest results, showing 100% mortality within 24-hours. Containers behind homes were sometimes more challenging to reach with these droplets as they have to float for just the right amount of time and settle into the cryptic habitat such as old tires or garbage with the potential for holding water. While larval mortality in backyards was not as high as other areas, the knockdown rate was still high enough to reduce the need for hand treatments and door-to-door inspections significantly. These strong results indicate that Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based applications are effective in reaching conspicuous areas throughout residential neighborhoods and should be considered as a valuable and time-saving tool for suppressing urban mosquito populations that present the greatest risk to public health in the current fight against Zika virus as well as several other mosquito-borne diseases.

Due to the successful results, our team has continued to work this winter to optimize equipment for Wide-Area Larvicide applications via truck-based equipment for the 2017 mosquito season.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies:

VDCI_Logo_squareSince 1992, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has taken pride in providing municipalities, mosquito abatement districts, industrial sites, planned communities, homeowners associations, and golf courses with the tools they need to run effective mosquito control programs. We are determined to protect the public health of the communities in which we operate. Our mosquito control professionals have over 100 years of combined experience in the field of public health, specifically vector disease control. We strive to provide the most effective and scientifically sound mosquito surveillance and control programs possible based on an Integrated Mosquito Management approach recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDCI is the only company in the country that can manage all aspects of an integrated mosquito management program, from surveillance to disease testing to aerial application in emergency situations.