Gaining control of mosquitoes requires a targeted approach using complementary modes of action, explains Steve Broadbent, regional director of Ensystex.
Mosquitoes are very much in the news with the recent ‘threats’ reported from the Zika virus. In addition to their serious nuisance biting, mosquitoes in Australia are also associated with a number of serious arboviruses (ARthropod-BOrne virus), such as dengue, Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and heartworm in dogs. Offering mosquito management services provides opportunities for pest professionals to rid customers of annoying mosquitoes, helping contain potential health problems.
A properly constructed mosquito management program needs to address both the adult mosquitoes and the larval stages, together with habitat reduction strategies.
This three-pronged approach can be implemented by professional pest managers in a range of situations from domestic homes through to resorts and hospitals.
As with all such programs, the process commences with an inspection and report, to determine the nature of the problem and to address the removal of breeding habitats, where practical.
Treatment can then commence with a combined program employing Bithor Dual Action to create the Bithor mosquito protection zone for protection against adult mosquitoes, and Culithor Granular Mosquito Growth Regulator, whose Intelligent granular microencapsulation technology provides long-term prevention of adult mosquito emergence.
With Culithor, a grain of sand is coated with a layer of carbon and gypsum, containing Controlled release active micro-capsules (CRAM-capsules). These CRAM-capsules possess a natural chitosan shell protecting a liquid core of the active ingredient, (S)-methoprene.
In water, the Culithor granules sink to the bottom, where the outer gypsum layer slowly dissolves, gradually releasing the CRAM-capsules. The (S)-methoprene is then slowly liberated from the capsules, thus ensuring an even delivery of the active throughout the water, to ensure improved long- term control of mosquito larvae. It also ensures that Culithor targets both surface-feeding and bottom-feeding species (main picture, above).
Culithor can be used in salt and freshwater, marshes, woodland pools, ponds, or any natural water-holding features, in both open-water situations and in areas where water is obscured by vegetation. In fact, it can be used in any water body where mosquito breeding is a problem. Culithor need only be applied every 6-8 weeks.
Whilst Culithor targets the larvae, Bithor Dual Action Insecticide works by providing a residual protection zone to the daytime harbourages of adult mosquitoes. The clear benefit that Bithor offers is the dual mode of action provided by its exclusive combination of bifenthrin and imidacloprid. This means higher levels of control and, most importantly, control of pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes.
Since most mosquitoes are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), the biting and blood-sucking adults are found to rest in vegetation and shade during the day. Bithor is applied to these daytime resting places to create the Bithor Mosquito Protection Zone. Bithor is uniquely non-repellent to adult mosquitoes, so they rest undisturbed on the treated surfaces ensuring greater uptake of the active ingredient and improved control. This results in a greater than 90% reduction in mosquito numbers for up to 6-8 weeks. This is the same protection period offered by Culithor, which complements a professional pest service run.
Bithor is a professional solution that protects outside entertaining and dining areas, backyards, parks and outdoor recreational spaces, safely and effectively.
Steve Broadbent, Regional Director, Ensystex
