Insecticides for Mosquito Control in New Jersey 2001

Lena B. Brattsten, Professor, Donald J. Sutherland, Professor Emeritus, George C. Hamilton,

Professor, Department of Entomology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Publication No. P-08001-01-06.

INTRODUCTION

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station annually reviews the selection of insecticides to be used by the county mosquito commissions and agencies responsible for reducing the populations of nuisance and vector species of mosquitoes in New Jersey. This is done by faculty working in the Department of Entomology and having experience in mosquito research and control, including factors of safety, economy and efficiency under New Jersey conditions. These recommendations are produced as a service to the residents of New Jersey and are for use in New Jersey only. The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station takes no responsibility for their use elsewhere. Selection of insecticides depends on environmental considerations and on continued information exchange between the State and Federal authorities and the professional organizations in mosquito research and control in New Jersey. Professional mosquito control in New Jersey relies on the surveillance of mosquito sources and problems and the proper consideration of options for control, such as water management, biological control, and insecticides. This integrated and comprehensive approach to the control of mosquitoes utilizes all available control strategies to reduce the occurrence of mosquitoes as pests to tolerable levels while maintaining a quality environment.

When mosquito problems necessitate the use of insecticides, it is generally best to employ larvicides and pupicides, as they are directed efficiently at the most concentrated developmental stage of the mosquito population and reduce the need for adulticiding. Only the public county and state commissions or agencies charged with the responsibility for mosquito control may perform larviciding and pupiciding. If weather or environmental concerns prevent such efforts, adulticides can be used shortly after emergence when adult mosquitoes are still concentrated in their source area and before they have dispersed. Adulticiding reduces mosquito nuisance and disease potential and also reduces oviposition contributing to subsequent generations. In an integrated approach to mosquito control, adulticiding may be necessary for dispersed or migrating adult mosquitoes. Special attention should be given to the level of mosquito activity and the prevailing environmental conditions in order to insure maximum efficiency of the application.

All applications of synthetic or biological insecticides for larviciding, pupiciding, or adulticiding purposes must be consistent with and comply with the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) as described in the APPENDIX, entitled “Best Management Practices for Mosquito Control in New Jersey”. This text (Anonymous, in "Proceedings of the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association 2002 Annual Meeting." G. C. Hamilton, Ed., New Brunswick, NJ; www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/bmpmcnj.htm#appendix) is an excerpt of all clauses pertaining to mosquito control from “The Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program“ and contains detailed and comprehensive information on integrated practices for mosquito control in New Jersey.

A county commission or agency wanting to test use an insecticide not included in these recommendations can request, in writing, support for such testing from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) (write to or e-mail Dr L. B. Brattsten, Rutgers University, Department of Entomology, Blake Hall, 93 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; brattsten@aesop.rutgers.edu). Please include in your letter details of locations and target species. All such applications of insecticides should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. For the benefit of mosquito control in New Jersey, information gathered on control efficacy for the target species and any effects on non-target species should be shared with members of the Associated Executives of Mosquito Control Work in New Jersey and the NJAES.

Just as bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics, mosquitoes evolve resistance to insecticides used for their control. Selection for resistance can result from the repeated use of the same insecticide exclusively and from slow-release formulations of insecticides. To avoid or delay resistance, it is best to use a variety of different insecticides and other control methods and not rely on a single insecticide frequently or over large continuous areas.

For the application of any pesticide commercially, including any pesticide application in public places, the applicator or the direct supervisor must be certified and licensed as a “Commercial Pesticide Applicator” by the Bureau of Pesticide Operations according to N.J.A.C. 7:30-6. The correct category of license is Category 8B - Mosquito Control. Other related categories that are appropriate under certain circumstances are Category 8C – Campground Pest Control, Category 11 - Aerial Pest Control, and Category 10 -Demonstration and Research Pest Control. Certified and licensed supervisors may have employees under their direct supervision licensed as “Commercial Pesticide Operators” for non-aerial pesticide applications. Training manuals may be obtained from your local county cooperative extension office or from the Pest Management Office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (phone 732-932-9801; or e-mail hamilton@aesop.rutgers.edu). Contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Pesticide Control Program (www.pcpnj.org) in Trenton for additional information regarding pesticide applicator permit details (telephone: 609-984-6666).

To aid in the use of the metric system, the rates and dilutions in these recommendations are given in the metric system units with the United States equivalent in parenthesis. Below is a list of the conversion factors and abbreviations used in these recommendations:

active ingredient (AI); Altosid^® Liquid Larvicide (A.L.L.); aqueous suspension (AS);

LARVICIDAL APPLICATIONS

The following insecticides are recommended for the control of larvae of nuisance and vector species in various larval habitats. The insecticides are listed alphabetically, not in order of expected efficacy.

(1) Abate^® emulsion (diluted from EC) by hydraulic sprayer, up to 118 mL emulsion/basin (4 oz/basin).

(2) Abate^® extruded pellets 5%, in selected locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(4) Agnique^®MMF (monomolecular film) as a larvicide/pupicide, according to product label

(5) B.t.i. (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis serotype H-14) briquets or other formulations (see B5).

(6) Bacillus sphaericus (see C6), including Vectolex^® WSP (Bacillus sphaericus, 7.5%) water-soluble pouch for use in catch basins.

(2) Abate^® granules 1 or 2% ground application, 2 or 5% for aircraft, 56 to 112 g AI/ha (0.05 to 0.1 lb AI/acre).

(3) Abate^® extruded pellets 5%, in selected locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(4) Altosid^® A.L.L., 0.2 to 0.3 L/ha (3 to 4 fl oz/acre); A.L.L. Conc., 55 to 73 mL/ha (3/4 to 1 fl oz/acre); pellets (4%), briquets (standard) according to label.

(5) B.t.i. according to manufacturer’s directions. B.t.i. must be ingested to be toxic to mosquito larvae. Larval toxicity depends on the species, its feeding activity and various environmental factors. B.t.i. formulations (e.g., flowables, briquettes, granulars, and pellets) may vary in their potency and the means used to express such potency. Attention should be given to this aspect in the purchase and use of B.t.i. products. Where such formulations are meant to be suspended in water for application, agitation must be provided to insure uniform application.

(2) Abate^® granules 1 or 2% for ground application, 2 or 5% for aircraft, 56 to 224 g AI/ha (0.05 to 0.2 lb AI/acre).

(3) Abate^® extruded pellets 5%, in select locations requiring extended release, according to product label.

(5) Agnique^®MMF (monomolecular film) as a larvicide/pupicide, according to product label.

(6) Bacillus sphaericus recommended for the control of Culex larvae: use according to manufacturer’s directions. This biological control may also be an effective larvicide for non-Culex species.

(1) The use of larvicides on the open tidal marsh should be in conjunction with aplan involving water management for long-term reduction of the mosquito problem and of insecticide use. Sometimes heavy rains or exceptionally high tides make it necessary to larvicide in defined areas.

(3) Abate^® emulsion using 45 mL (1.5 fl oz) Abate^® 4E in sufficient water to accomplish efficient distribution (0.048 lb AI/acre).

(4) Altosid^® (A.L.L. and A.L.L. Conc.; see B4). As Aedes sollicitans is very susceptible to Altosid^®, rates lower than those in B4 can be effective.

(5) B.t.i. In addition to the information given in B5, those planning to use B.t.i. on the s alt marsh, either as a flowable or granular formulation should recognize that these formulations have not been consistently efficient. Therefore, the use of these products should be discriminate until proven dependable.

(2) Altosid^® (A.L.L. and A.L.L. Conc.; see B4); pellets, briquets (standard) according to product label.

SPECIFICATIONS, FORMULATIONS and DILUTIONS for LARVICIDES

These formulations, which are to be diluted generally with water prior to spraying, may contain a small percentage of volatile solvent.

Abate^® emulsions are prepared from a 4E concentrate 0.48 kg/L (4 lb insecticide per gallon). For most larviciding, dilute 36.6 mL in 93.5 L water/ha (0.5 fl oz in 10 gallons water/acre). For waters high in organic matter content, the concentration may be increased 2-3 fold.

All granular formulations should be so formulated as to insure efficient release of the insecticide in water. Abate^® granules may employ carriers such as sand, celatom, Plaster of Paris, or Biodac^® (a cellulose product); inclusion of an oil solvent does not appear necessary. Altosid^® carriers include Plaster of Paris and Biodac^®. No highly volatile solvents should be used in granular formulations. For celatom carrier, the optimum particle size for aircraft application is 24/48, with no more than 15% above 48 mesh, to minimize drift. For ground application, 30/60 to 60/80, depending on equipment, is optimum; more than 10% (by weight) in particles outside these specified size ranges is considered unsatisfactory.

PUPICIDAL APPLICATIONS

The pupal stage is the briefest stage in the development of the mosquito. Although pupae are unaffected by organophosphate, pyrethroid, and other “nerve poison type” insecticides, B.t.i., and methoprene (Altosid^®), there are some very effective pupicides. These agents will also control fourth instar larvae, which may be present when it is necessary to pupicide. As with larviciding, timely efforts to control concentrated populations of pupae can be of value in preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes and reducing the need to adulticide. The following insecticides are recommended for the control of pupae of nuisance and vector species.

ADULTICIDAL APPLICATIONS

While the control of mosquitoes is generally most efficiently accomplished in the immature stages, conditions may sometimes necessitate the use of adulticides. If agencies other than public county mosquito control commissions or county agencies responsible for mosquito control wish to adulticide, they should contact the NJ Pesticide Control Program (609-984-6666) concerning regulations. Community or area-wide notification of adulticiding is required according to NJAC 7:30-9.10 (www.pcpnj.org).

Particular attention should be given to temperature, as it may affect droplet behavior, and the toxicity of the insecticide to the target mosquito. Of the types of adulticide recommended, the organophosphate malathion has a positive temperature coefficient, i.e., more toxic at higher temperatures; resmethrin and other pyrethroids have a negative temperature coefficient, i.e., they are more toxic at lower temperatures. Ambient temperature, therefore, can influence the selection of the insecticide.

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station recommends the following adulticide measures. Synergized pyrethroid formulations (Scourge^®, Anvil^® ) should be used as rarely as possible and not over large continuous areas to avoid or delay insecticide resistance evolution in local populations.

Insecticide fogging can be an effective method in mosquito control. It is not meant to be used routinely but only when populations of adult mosquitoes reach public health or nuisance levels. These levels are highly variable and depend on the mosquito species involved as well as local environmental conditions. The final determination of whether to use fogging procedures should rest with the mosquito control commission or equivalent county unit in each county as being the most knowledgeable agency concerning local mosquito populations and conditions. When fogging is deemed necessary, the following physical conditions should exist; these conditions are mostly encountered in the early evening hours or early morning.

The only material recommended for fogging is malathion. The 95% malathion concentrate should be diluted as follows for fogging: 15 L (4 gal) concentrate is added to sufficient fuel oil to make 379 L (100 gal) final volume (0.4%). The diluted material is applied at a flow rate of 151 L/h (40 gal/h) with vehicle speed at 8 kph (5 mph). An experienced and knowledgeable operator and a properly equipped vehicle and fogger are absolutely essential.

While mainly intended for use with residual insecticides, this equipment can be employed to apply dilute emulsions of the non-persistent insecticides malathion or pyrethroids to foliar surfaces for short-term residual mosquito control. The materials should be diluted and applied according to label recommendations for such equipment.

The technique of ULV has the advantage over fogging of being less dense and, therefore, less hazardous in urban traffic. Physical conditions as stated for fogging are generally desirable, and application should coincide with times of maximum mosquito adult activity in order to achieve maximum efficiency.

The technique of ULV employs more concentrated insecticides and the equipment for their application must be properly calibrated and serviced. Also, ground ULV applications do not always penetrate dense foliage as well as do fogging applications. Application of any ground ULV material should be performed under conditions also known to be best for efficient fogging operations (A1 above); wind speeds up to 16 kph (10 mph) are acceptable. Application should be made after sunset or before sunrise at temperatures of 15 to 28°C (60 to 82°F).

(a) Malathion (Fyfanon^®, Atrapa^®, 96-98%) at the flow rate of 90 mL/min at 16 kph or 45 mL/min at 8 kph (3 fl oz/min at 10 mph or 1.5 fl oz/min at 5 mph). With a constant volume flow meter and depending on conditions, e.g., acreage to be treated and period of mosquito activity, application may be made at 20 mph. According to the labeling of these products, their application by ground ULV is restricted to professional mosquito control personnel who have the experience, knowledge and equipment necessary to follow the technical instructions for their use.

(b) Pyrethroid/piperonyl butoxide mixtures such as Scourge^® (resmethrin/piperonyl butoxide in a 1:3 ratio ) or Anvil^® (d-phenothrin/piperonyl butoxide 2+2). Scourge^® (4 +12) is available in a formulation for use without further dilution. Use these products according to instructions on the label.

Application from aircraft may only be performed according to Federal Aviation Regulations, by the county mosquito control commissions, equivalent county units, or the State Mosquito Control Commission. To insure that the droplets descend from the aircraft to the areas of mosquito activity, these applications should be made close to sunset or thereafter, or early morning, when a deep temperature inversion occurs. For further discussion of this aspect see A.V. Havens, Proc. N. J. Mosq. Ext. Assoc., 60:59-63 (1973).

(a) 148 mL of 96-98% malathion per 2.3 L of No. 2 fuel oil/ha (2 fl oz 95% malathion in 1 quart of No. 2 fuel oil/acre) (EPA SLN No. NJ-950005).

(a) 220 mL/ha (3 fl oz /acre) of 96-98% malathion as applied by fixed wing aircraft or helicopter equipped with a Beecomist nozzle according to insecticide manufacturer’s specifications with the additional stipulation that wind velocity be no greater than 8-16 kph (5-10 mph). To insure that the equipment performs correctly and produces proper droplet sizes, the equipment should be periodically calibrated and examined closely. Systems should include elements for positive shutoff of delivery. Spray droplet size should be determined periodically. To prevent malfunction of the system, the malathion should be filtered just prior to use by a method similar to that described by H. R. Rupp, Mosquito News, 33:463-464 (1973).

(b) Resmethrin/Piperonyl butoxide in a ratio of 1:3 by weight, such as Scourge^® at rates according to the label.

INSECTICIDES UNDER OBSERVATION FOR USE IN NEW JERSEY

Several other released materials could be useful for mosquito control in New Jersey. They have not yet been fully investigated for suitability. We recommend that exploratory applications be performed with the following two:

These applications should be relatively small-scale and employ a variety of measurements of effectiveness, e.g., caged mosquitoes, light trap counts, landing counts. It would also be of interest to make qualitative observations of possible effects on non-target organisms. NJAES is interested in results with these applications to use for decisions of the inclusion of these materials in the recommended insecticides.

PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY

Most insecticides are not only toxic to mosquitoes but can also be toxic to humans and other forms of life in the environment. It is necessary for all persons responsible for the use of insecticides to recognize this and take precautions to insure that these chemicals not only do not cause illness or death but also do not unnecessarily contaminate the environment. Further information is available from the National Pesticide Information Center (1 800 858 7378 or at www.npic.orst.edu). Public notice about planned spray operations must be issued according to NJAC 7:30-9.10 (www.pcpnj.org).

Manufacturers are required by law to list on the insecticide label those precautions to be followed to reduce hazards. Such precautions include not only appropriate concentrations to be used but also protective clothing for applicators, antidotes for poisoning, and conditions of storage.

Precautions should also be taken at other times. Insecticides should be stored in a manner inaccessible to people who are not knowledgeable of their toxicity and hazards. Storage should be in an area set aside solely for that purpose, and the area should be well ventilated to prevent overheating and eliminate noxious fumes of solvents as well as of insecticides. When empty, insecticide containers should be disposed of according to the label of the product, or returned to the supplier. Such containers should not be burned because of air pollution by smoke and residual insecticide in the containers. Unused insecticides should not be discarded in drainage systems but should be turned over to authorized agencies for appropriate disposal. Regulations for storage can be found at NJAC 7:30-9.5 and 9.6, and general regulations on disposal are at 7:30-9.7. More specific requirements and guidance for the disposal of waste are available from PCP at 1 609 984 6568 or www.pcpnj.org or from NJDEP at 1 877 927 6337.

During the mixing and application of insecticides, all precautions listed on the insecticide labels should be followed. It is advisable that personnel be examined for blood acetylcholinesterase levels before any exposure to organophosphate insecticides, during periods of extended use, and periodically thereafter. For information and aid regarding acute insecticide poisoning call either the NJ Poison Information and Education System or the National Pesticide Information Center. Please also consult the available web sites for extensive information on safety and other aspects on insecticides.

NEW JERSEY POISON INFORMATION

AND EDUCATION SYSTEM

800 764 7661

www.pcpnj.org

COMMON NAMES AND PROPRIETARY EXAMPLES

Common name	Proprietary examples^®
Bacillus sphaericus	Vectolex
B.t.i	Bactimos, Teknar, Vectobac, Aquabac
Ethoxylate surfactant	Agnique MMF
Malathion	Fyfanon, Atrapa
Methoprene	Altosid
Permethrin/piperonyl butoxide	Aqua-Reslin
Petroleum derivative	Mosquito Larvicide GB 1111
d-Phenothrin/piperonyl butoxide	Anvil, Sumithrin
Resmethrin/piperonyl butoxide	SBP-1382, Scourge
Temephos	Abate

APPENDIX

New Jersey has a diverse ecology that provides habitat for more than 60 species of mosquitoes. New Jersey also has more human residents per square mile than any other state. At the turn of this century, New Jersey functioned as the center for mosquito research and those early workers developed many of the basic concepts used in mosquito control today. Their successes allowed creation of organized, multidiscipline mosquito control as a proper function of government. Information sharing among researchers and control workers was recognized as an important component of responsible mosquito management and was formalized in the early 1900’s.

The philosophy of mosquito control in New Jersey is to target mosquitoes and/or their habitat as specifically as possible in a financially efficient manner. Minimizing pesticide impact on non-target organisms has always been vital to public acceptance and was incorporated into the goals of the mosquito control community. The present day need to be species specific in the selection and application of pesticides is fundamental to the methodologies we use in New Jersey.

The sanitation and habitat modification procedures developed or enhanced by the early mosquito control workers in New Jersey form the foundation for today's source reduction activities. The water management techniques pioneered by New Jersey's early workers have been honed into the most efficient long term methods available today to reduce mosquito production. Enhancement of natural predators was deemed important in the early days of mosquito control and is now an accepted component of New Jersey's program that is funded and coordinated by our state agencies.

Surveillance is one of the best tools we have for focusing mosquito control on specific pest and vector species. Sampling and identification allow problem species to be recognized and targeted for control. Early mosquito control workers in New Jersey benefited greatly from the landmark investigations of John B. Smith, legendary taxonomist and founder of organized mosquito control. Surveillance programs to monitor disease organisms in their mosquito vectors were not available to early workers but are fundamental to New Jersey's programs today. In New Jersey, the need for control, type of management employed or alternatives to pesticides are all weighed against the surveillance data we collect.

The history of mosquito control in New Jersey shows long standing environmental awareness and the ability to select pesticides, only when necessary, from the broad array of techniques we have at our disposal.

Mosquito control in the state of New Jersey is mandated by law under Title 26, Chapters 3 & 9 of the NJ Health Statutes.

Title 26 assigns the control of pest and vector species to county mosquito control commissions which function as autonomous units of county government. Activities and expenditure of funds are overseen by a body of commissioners appointed by the board of chosen freeholders in each county. Tax levies provide the operational budget on a county-by-county basis. Autonomous mosquito commissions have the powers of a local board of health regarding mosquitoes including right of entry onto public and private properties. They have the power to make a declaration regarding mosquito nuisance and can issue an abatement notice whenever necessary. Eight New Jersey counties currently maintain autonomous commissions and 13 counties have mosquito control responsibilities assigned to other agencies of county government.

The laws enacted by Title 26 mandate the Director of the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers University to function in an advisory capacity to all mosquito control agencies in the state. Specific duties of the Director include: 1) annual review of mosquito commission plans & estimates, 2) conducting surveys for county agencies upon request, 3) investigating the life histories of individual species, 4) recommending methods for control, and 5) conducting extension related activities that educate the public and advocate responsible mosquito control. A primary objective of NJAES involvement in Title 26 is to maintain professionalism within the mosquito control community in New Jersey that is consistent with current environmental concerns.

Title 26 also provides for a State Mosquito Control Commission (SMCC) that functions in an advisory capacity to the Governor. Composition of the SMCC includes 6 public members appointed by the Governor and representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS), the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and the NJAES. The SMCC is mandated to carry on a continuous study of mosquito control operations in the state, recommend amounts of money deemed necessary for mosquito control purposes and allocate state aid to counties from an annual appropriation. The Office of Mosquito Control Coordination (OMCC), within the NJDEP, administers SMCC funding and expedites operational programs advocated by that body. Representation of the above mentioned departments of state on the SMCC board fosters a network of communication that recognizes the interdepartmental nature of mosquito control problems and activities in the state.

The operational aspects of mosquito control in New Jersey are conducted by the autonomous mosquito control commissions described above, mosquito control agencies within other county departments as well as federal, municipal and private mosquito control programs. Regardless of the agency, the NJMCA advocates the following as necessary components of responsible programs.

A. SURVEILLANCE. NJ believes that mosquito control begins with a surveillance program that targets pest and vector species and justifies the need for control. We believe that species-specific records should be kept on the composition of mosquito populations prior to enacting control of any kind. We also advocate records on the composition of mosquito populations after management to determine the effectiveness of control operations. The New Jersey light trap was designed as a surveillance tool more than 50 years ago to reach that end. Most mosquito control agencies use light traps in their programs but have additional tools that provide data to guide their activities. The following list of surveillance methods is available for use by mosquito control agencies in New Jersey.

1. Larval Surveillance. Larval surveillance involves sampling a wide range of aquatic habitats for the presence of pest species during their developmental stages. Most counties have a team of inspectors to collect larval specimens on a regular basis. A mosquito identification specialist normally has the task of identifying the larvae to species. Properly trained mosquito identification specialists can separate mosquito species that cause nuisance and disease from those that are non-pests or beneficial species. Responsible control programs target pest populations for control and avoid managing habitat that supports benign species.

2. Adult Surveillance. Adult surveillance measures mosquito populations that have successfully developed and emerged from aquatic habitats. The New Jersey light trap has been the standard for collecting adult mosquitoes and most county agencies operate light traps from early May through October. Portable traps baited with carbon dioxide are useful in areas where electricity is not available. Not all pest species are attracted to light and other forms of adult surveillance are frequently employed. In coastal areas of New Jersey, 1-minute landing rates are used to assess the comparative size of host seeking salt marsh mosquitoes during daylight hours. At inland areas, 10-minute bite counts measure annoyance after dark. Resting boxes are frequently used to measure populations of Culiseta melanura, a bird-feeding mosquito that functions in the amplification of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. Pigeon-baited traps are sometimes employed to measure Culex mosquitoes that amplify St. Louis encephalitis virus.

3. Virus Surveillance. The New Jersey SMCC funds a virus surveillance program that measures the size of mosquito borne encephalitis virus vector populations during the summer season and tests specimens for virus on a weekly basis. Mosquito collections are made at permanent study sites by staff from the NJAES. A wide range of assistance and support is provided by local mosquito control agencies in this effort. Specimens are tested for virus at the NJDHSS laboratories by immunoflourescent antibody (IFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. In addition, some county mosquito control agencies run sentinel chicken programs to identify areas where mosquito-borne encephalitis virus is active and tests mosquitoes for virus by PCR to keep their control activities current. Information on the status of mosquito borne encephalitis virus is disseminated to all mosquito control agencies in the state in a weekly summary throughout the encephalitis season.

B. SOURCE REDUCTION. Source reduction is the alteration or elimination of mosquito larval habitat. This remains the most effective and economical method of providing long-term mosquito control in New Jersey. Source reduction can include activities as simple as the removal of used tires and the cleaning of rain gutters and bird baths by individual property owners, to extensive regional water management projects conducted by mosquito control agencies on state and/or federal lands. All of these activities eliminate or substantially reduce mosquito breeding and the need for repeated applications of insecticides in the affected habitat. Source reduction activities within New Jersey can be separated into the following two general categories:

1. Sanitation. The by-products of the activities of people have been a major contributor to the creation of mosquito breeding habitats. An item as small as a bottle cap or as large as the foundation of a demolished building can serve as a mosquito breeding area. Sanitation is a major part of all IPM programs exemplified by tire removal, de-snagging waterways, catch basin cleaning, and container removal.

Mosquito control agencies in New Jersey have statutory police powers that allow for due process and summary abatement of mosquito-related public health nuisances created on both public and private property. The sanitation problems most often resolved by agency inspectors are problems of ignorance, neglect, oversight or laziness on the part of property owners. Collectively, they result in a major use of agency manpower and resources.

Educational information including videos, slide shows and fact sheets distributed at press briefings, fairs, schools and other public areas have information regarding the importance of sanitation. We must continue to emphasize the role of sanitation as an effective mosquito control modality that is a cost effective, low tech, high result method of preventing disease potential and mosquito interference with our ability to enjoy the outdoors.

2. Water Management. Water management for mosquito control is a form of source reduction that is conducted in fresh and saltwater breeding habitats.

a. Freshwater Wetlands Management - In 1987 the NJ State Legislature enacted into law the New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act (NJSA 13:9b-1 et seq.) All ditch maintenance, stream and storm water basin cleaning, and/or restoration activities for mosquito control are now regulated by the NJDEP. Best Management Practices for Mosquito Control and Freshwater Wetlands Management (BMP), have been compiled through the cooperative efforts of the mosquito control community, the NJDEP and other state and federal environmental agencies. These practices are applicable to mosquito control activities in stream corridor wetlands, isolated freshwater wetlands, palustrine wooded wetlands, and stormwater facilities. Using mosquito surveillance data and BMP's, New Jersey's mosquito control agencies now conduct water management activities in the state's freshwater wetlands under a number of different "statewide general permits" (i.e. GP-1, GP-7, GP-15) or individual permits when necessitated by the complexity of the project.

In the past, the absence of design and maintenance standards for storm water management facilities throughout New Jersey resulted in many of the facilities becoming major mosquito producers. In the late 1970's, a 4-year study of storm water facilities in New Jersey showed that due to poor design, construction and/or lack of maintenance, 67% of all basins surveyed contained mosquito larval habitat with some facilities found to be suitable habitat for up to 8 mosquito species.

In 1989, a storm water management facilities maintenance manual was produced by NJDEP. The manual is available to all developers, engineers and planning agencies statewide. This document contains specific guidelines and recommendations relative to design, construction and maintenance of storm water facilities and mosquito control.

b. Salt Marsh Water Management - Control of the aquatic stage of the mosquitoes that are produced on New Jersey's tidal wetlands requires a complete understanding of tidal marsh ecology. Two water management techniques were developed in New Jersey to control salt marsh mosquito larval populations through the cooperative efforts of county mosquito control agencies, Rutgers University, the State Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These are Tidal Restoration of Salt Hay Impoundments (TRSHI) and Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM), practices that now serve as models for water management activities worldwide.

TRSHI involves the removal and/or modification of ditch plugs and other water control structures to permit daily tidal inundation to occur within salt hay impoundments. Salt hay farming was once a major industry in the Delaware Bay area of New Jersey with over 11,000 acres of salt hay impoundments located within the counties of Cape May and Cumberland. These impoundments created ideal conditions for the production of salt marsh mosquitoes and required repeated applications of insecticides each season to control the larval populations originating within the impounded areas. The daily tidal exchange as a result of TRSHI eliminates mosquito breeding and eventually restores the area to a productive salt marsh. Over 7,500 acres of salt hay impoundments in New Jersey have been restored using TRSHI. Although TRSHI is utilized extensively to control mosquito production in salt hay impoundments, the techniques are also applicable to control mosquito breeding in other impounded marshes.

Open Marsh Water Management was developed in New Jersey in the mid-1960s through the cooperative efforts of mosquito control and wildlife agencies. OMWM standards have been established for use by county mosquito control agencies, which address how and where the technique should be implemented. OMWM is now the major source reduction technique used by coastal mosquito control agencies in New Jersey. OMWM has been found to effectively control mosquito production on salt marshes through a combination of biological control and habitat manipulation. Three basic alterations are employed in OMWM, the construction of: 1) permanent ponds, 2) pond radials and, 3) tidal ditches. The selective excavation of the ponds, pond radials, and ditches eliminate mosquito breeding sites and provide permanent habitat for mosquito-eating killifish. In areas where OMWM is practiced, pesticide applications are substantially reduced.

C. CHEMICAL CONTROL. When source reduction and water management are not feasible, chemicals are carefully used to control both adult and immature mosquito populations. The chemicals used by New Jersey's mosquito control agencies comply with state and federal requirements, as well as recommendations provided annually by the NJAES. All pesticide applicators and operators in New Jersey are required to be licensed by the NJDEP. Judicious chemical control activities, as part of New Jersey's IPM approach to reducing mosquito populations, use the most appropriate products available to the professionals of the mosquito control community. Chemical treatments can be directed against either the immature or adult stage of the mosquito life cycle.

1. Larviciding. Larviciding, the application of chemicals to kill the immature stages of mosquitoes by ground or aerial treatments, is typically more effective and target specific than focusing on adults. The objective is to target the immature stages at the breeding habitat before populations have had a chance to disperse. New Jersey's IPM approach to mosquito control emphasizes larviciding only when source reduction is not feasible. Applications of larvicides encompass fewer acres than adulticides because treatments are made to relatively small areas where larvae are concentrated as opposed to larger regions where adults have migrated. The larvicides used for mosquito control in New Jersey include: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus (bacterial larvicides), methoprene (insect growth regulator), temephos (organophosphate), and petroleum oils.

2. Adulticiding. Adulticiding is the use of chemicals to reduce adult mosquitoes by ground or aerial applications. Adulticiding is utilized when biting populations reach critical levels. In New Jersey, adulticides are commonly applied as an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) spray in which the small amounts of active ingredient range from 0.0035 to 0.24 lb/ac. The adulticides are dispensed through properly maintained and calibrated equipment. Adulticides used in New Jersey include pyrethroids and malathion (an organophosphate).

3. The New Jersey State Airspray Program. This program was established by state legislation in 1949 to assist coastal counties in the control of salt marsh mosquitoes. This ongoing program is now coordinated through OMCC within the NJDEP. Over the past decade this program has integrated a number of newer management techniques to provide for a more environmentally sound approach to pesticide applications. Emphasis is now focused on larviciding and an increased reliance on biorational pesticides. Many of the changes in the airspray program philosophy have been fostered from relationships cultivated between NJMCA members and federal and state wildlife refuge managers.

D. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. Biological control is the manipulation of natural agents and their by-products to control pest and vector species. Biological control is advantageous because it is generally host-specific with limited non-target effects. In New Jersey, fish are the primary biological control agent used to suppress mosquito populations. Predacious fish, typically Gambusia species, are reared and stocked in mosquito breeding habitats.

For many years, individual county mosquito control agencies raised and released their own fish. In 1990, the State of New Jersey established a statewide mosquito fish program with a specific protocol for use. With annual funding from the SMCC, the program utilizes the existing resources of the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife's staff, hatchery and other facilities. While originally designed for Gambusia affinis, the program now offers other species for mosquito control including the fathead minnow, the freshwater killifish and two species of sunfish. The use of state resources has expanded the concept of predatory fish for biological mosquito control in New Jersey.

1. Continuing Education. Continuing education is directed toward operational workers to instill or refresh knowledge related to practical mosquito control. Training is primarily in safety, applied technology and requirements for our state's regulated certification program. Examples of continuing education include: the NJMCA Pesticide Training Program, state- mandated Right to Know training for hazardous substances, the Northeast Aerial Applicator's Conference, monthly meetings of the Associated Executives of Mosquito Control Work in NJ, the annual meeting of NJMCA and meetings of other mosquito control associations in our geographic area.

2. Public Education. Public education is directed toward the general public to teach mosquito biology and encourage citizens to utilize prevention techniques. Examples include: fact sheets and brochures, classroom lectures at schools, slide shows, films and videos on mosquitoes and their control, and exhibits at fairs. NJMCA regularly interacts with civic leaders, politicians and professionals through the annual conventions of the NJ Educational Association and the NJ League of Municipalities. NJMCA produces and distributes proceedings of its annual meeting and coordinates activities in support of the recently enacted national Mosquito Control Awareness Week. NJMCA believes that public education reduces homeowner pesticide applications and the misuse of non-pesticide toxic materials. Public education encourages support for organized mosquito control rather than crisis management, which relies heavily on pesticides.

Excerpted from: Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, under the auspices of the American Mosquito Control Association “Partnership Strategy Document” for the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association, Inc.

Cook College and The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station provides information and educational services to all people without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, disability or handicap, or age. The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1 kilogram, kg = 2.2 pounds, lbs	1 fl ounce, oz = 29.6 mL
1 gram, g = 0.002 lbs	1 lb/acre = 1.12 kg/ha
1 hectare, ha = 2.47 acres	1 pint/acre = 1.17 L/ha
1 liter, L = 1.056 quarts	1 quart/acre = 2.34 L/ha
1 milliliter, mL = 0.001 L	1 fl oz/acre = 73.2 mL/ha

INSECTICIDES RECOMMENDED

FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL IN

NEW JERSEY IN 2006