Not in my backyard: effectiveness of outdoor residual spraying from hand‐held sprayers against the mosquito Aedes albopictus in Rome, Italy. Issue 1 (17th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manica, Mattia; Cobre, Pietro; Rosà, Roberto; Caputo, Beniamino
• Is Part Of: Pest management science. Volume 73:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2016-06-17
• Subjects: Aedes mosquito -- vector control -- mosquito nuisance -- vector reduction -- insecticide sprayings; Pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Periodicals; 632.9
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.4315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-498X

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: WHO guidelines state that adulticide interventions are recommended only in case of disease outbreak. However, peridomestic sprayings are carried out routinely to reduce Aedes albopictus (Skuse) nuisance, at least in Italy. Failing to keep low adult abundance over time triggers the need for further applications. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of a common control strategy routinely performed by citizens in highly infested urban sites inside the metropolitan city of Rome using a freely purchasable pyrethroid and a hand‐held sprayer. Moreover, the effectiveness evaluated in three field experiments was compared with that achieved by blending the pyrethroid with a new carbon‐based liquid additive. RESULTS: An 86% post‐treatment reduction in Ae. albopictus abundance was observed in gravid and host‐seeking females, while the population recovery time was 10 days. Blending the insecticide with the additive lengthened mosquito recovery time to over 14 days. CONCLUSION: Peridomestic sprayings largely reduce mosquito populations immediately after treatment but fail to keep low mosquito abundance for a longer period, partially explaining the uncontrolled repetitions of treatments. An optimal control application could benefit from research in the field of additives to improve mosquito abatement and the performance of pyrethroids over time. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry