Ensuring Mosquito Control Success with Winter Maintenance Strategies

Fall is here, and the mosquito season is coming to a close for most of the US. However, for mosquito abatement districts (MADs) and their dedicated teams, this transitional period marks the beginning of essential winter preparation. Vehicles, sprayers, and other crucial equipment that have been tirelessly deployed throughout the season must be carefully tended to. Winter maintenance is not just a routine task, it's a strategic necessity to ensure the efficacy of mosquito control operations in the following season.

Equipment maintenance begins with comprehensive equipment assessments. Technicians carefully inspect every component, from hoses and nozzles to engines and pumps, to ensure everything is operational and free of defects. Any issues discovered are quickly addressed, helping avoid potential breakdowns during the high-demand mosquito season. Once the equipment is thoroughly inspected and any repairs are made, the equipment is winterized. Sprayers are flushed, fluids are changed, fuel is stabilized and everything from traps to trucks is cleaned and readied for winter. This thorough approach ensures that MADs are well prepared to respond effectively when the next mosquito season begins.

The winter season also offers MADs the ideal opportunity to assess their product inventories. Evaluating the stock of mosquito control products allows for informed procurement decisions. By analyzing usage trends and anticipating future needs, MADs can maintain a well-stocked inventory of larvicides and adulticides, ensuring they are ready to combat mosquito populations efficiently when the warm weather returns.

In addition to inventory management, MADs should consider prioritizing products with longer residuals to reduce the number of applications. This approach will lessen the need for frequent applications, particularly in situations with reduced manpower or in difficult-to-treat habitats. To make applications last, turn to extended residual control from Central Life Sciences including, Altosid® XR-G Ultra, Altosid® P35 and Duplex™-G.

 

Altosid XR-G® Ultra

This carbon-free, clean (S)-methoprene granule larvicide formulation controls the emergence of adult mosquitoes, including those which may transmit vector-borne diseases, using a consistent mode of action.

FEATURES

  • Consistent carbon-free, clean granule matrix that is ideal for specific rate and clean application
  • Up to 28 days of residual control in standing water
  • Labeled for up to 14 days pre-treat floodwater habitats
  • (S)-Methoprene quick release technology

 

Altosid® P35

Bag of Altosid P35 Granular Larvicide

A unique granule formulation, Altosid® P35 larvicide provides 35 days of residual control in continuously wet conditions. With extended-release technology, this easy-to-use formulation also offers pre-treatment capabilities 15 days prior to flooding (pre-hatch).

FEATURES

  • Dual encapsulation for short- and long-term release of the IGR
  • Uniform spherical design
  • Up to 35 days of residual control
  • Pre-treatment of floodwater habitats

 

Duplex™-G Larvicide

Large white product bag of Duplex- G Larvicide

Duplex™-G larvicide delivers dual-active control through a combination of biorational control agent (S)-methoprene and biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti) in a granular formulation.

FEATURES

  • Provides a quick kill with long residual control of most mosquito larvae species
  • Allows for pre-flood treatments with “Active Booster Release Technology”
  • Creates low-to-no impact on non-target species with (S)-methoprene core designed for environmental compatibility
  • Ensures calibration ease and normalized swath characterization for ground and aerial application equipment with uniform granule size

 

Finally, the winter offseason presents the perfect time to brush up on the latest news and trends in the industry. From attending a regional or virtual meeting to taking an online training program, there are countless opportunities to grow professionally while effectively preparing for peak mosquito season. You can also turn to Central Life Sciences as a source of information by following all of the updates on our “Latest News” page.

Whether preparing your staff or equipment, make the most of the offseason to lay the foundation for a successful 2024.