127 - The How-tos and What-nots of Adult Mosquito Control

Area-wide adulticide applications rely on specialized equipment capable of atomizing a liquid insecticide to form millions of tiny droplets that persist in the air for short periods of time, rely on weather conditions to facilitate movement through a target site, and are only effective when they come in contact with flying mosquitoes.    While the use of ultra-low volume (ULV) control strategies can be controversial, when used as part of a comprehensive Integrated Mosquito Management program, it is a necessary and highly effective solution for reestablishing populations to more manageable levels.

This presentation will cover the foundational principles required for ensuring an effective application, including equipment calibration, confirmation of droplet size, drift modeling, and weather parameters that facilitate movement of a spray cloud to its target site.   The specialized equipment used for ULV space sprays can be mounted on aircraft, trucks, ATVs, or even handheld and backpack devices.  Each of these application strategies has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered prior to use.