By Chris Keefer, Ph.D., technical services manager, Syngenta Professional Pest Management
Mosquitoes are nuisance pests that threaten public health and can make a homeowner’s yard difficult to enjoy for many months of the year. To provide your customers with a life uninterrupted by mosquitoes, it’s important to understand their biology and ecology, as well as best practices to achieve season-long control. Mosquitoes undergo a complete life cycle including egg, larva, pupa and adult stages. Depending on the species, climate and resources available, a mosquito can move through its life cycle in as little as seven days. Aedes mosquitoes, or container-breeding mosquitoes, are usually the primary target of residential backyard mosquito treatments. This mosquito genus uses an egg-laying strategy called skip oviposition to scatter egg batches between different oviposition sites. This behavior is why an insect growth regulator (IGR), such as Archer® insect growth regulator with pyriproxyfen, can help sustain season-long control. After mating and a blood meal, a female Aedes mosquito moving throughout areas treated with an adulticide can still oviposit many eggs before her demise. However, an IGR inhibits the development of immature insect life stages, which further suppresses the population. As she deposits eggs in multiple locations, she can move an IGR to each oviposition site, so when the eggs hatch, they won’t develop to mature mosquitoes. Adult female Aedes mosquitoes that come in contact with pyriproxyfen prior to copulation also show a disruption in egg laying and may oviposit fewer or no eggs at all. Other pyriproxyfen benefits include: - Its high level of activity against mosquito larvae, inhibiting adult emergence at very low rates
- Its low mammalian toxicity and off-target impact
- Its usefulness in resistance prevention and management strategies where an adulticide is being used
- Use in backpack mist blower applications to help target cryptic breeding sites or containers in inaccessible areas
Consider the following best practices for mosquito treatment: - Systematically inspect the property
- Document standing water and any locations where mosquito eggs and larvae are found
- Look beyond the treatment zone to ensure a thorough treatment can be made
- Note wind speed and direction as well as potential rainfall
- Wear all appropriate personal protective equipment
For maximum efficacy, use a residual contact insecticide, such as Demand® CS insecticide, tank mixed with a proven IGR like Archer. Additionally, Demand CS and Archer are part of the SecureChoice℠ Mosquito Assurance Program, which offers guaranteed control based on trial and field-tested treatment protocols. Make confident mosquito treatments and give your client their yard back. For more information, visit SyngentaPMP.com/Mosquito or contact your local Syngenta territory manager. References Chism, B.D. and C. S. Apperson 2003. Horizontal transfer of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen to larval microcosms by gravid Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus triseriatus mosquitoes in the laboratory. Medical and Veterinary Entomology Vol. 17 Iss. 2, p. 211-220. Invest, J. F. and J. R. Lucas. 6th International Congress on Urban Pests. July 2008. Itoh, T. et al. 1994. Utilitzation of blood fed females of Aedes aegypti as a vehicle for the transfer of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen to larval habitats. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 10 3:344-347. Lloyd, A. M. et al. 2017. Evaluation of Pyriproxyfen Dissemination via Aedes albopictus From a Point-Source Larvicide Application in Northeast Florida. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association 33(2):151-155. Sihuincha, M. et al. 2005. Potential Use of Pyriproxyfen for Control of Ae. aegypti. Journal of Medical Entomology, 42(4):620-630. Yadav, K. et al. 2019. Pyriproxyfen treated surface exposure exhibits reproductive disruption in dengue vector Aedes aegypti. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
© 2023 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Archer®, Demand®, For Life Uninterrupted™, SecureChoice℠ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks or service marks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368).
|