DNREC News - Division of Fish and Wildlife Begins Spring Woodland Mosquito Larvae Control

Vol. 31, No. 80
March 15, 2001

For more information contact: David Saveikis (Kent/Sussex Counties) at (302) 422-1512 or Tom Moran (New Castle County) at (302) 323-4492.

Division of Fish and Wildlife Begins Spring Woodland Mosquito Larvae Control

The Division of Fish and Wildlife's Mosquito Control Section is starting its annual efforts to control early season mosquito larvae in wet woodlands throughout the state. Control actions from mid-March into April will target the immature larval stages of woodland mosquito species to prevent their emergence as biting adult mosquitoes.

"Larval control is achieved by applying the environmentally-compatible insecticide 'Bti' to mosquito-producing woodlands in or near cities, towns and other developed areas," according to David Saveikis, environmental program manager and spray operations coordinator. "Helicopter and ground application equipment is used to apply Bti, which is a biological insecticide that controls mosquitoes with little, if any, effects on non-target organisms."

Bti is registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has determined that the insecticide can be used to control mosquito larvae without posing unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife or the environment.

"These early control actions are part of an integrated pest management approach that uses insecticides and water management to control various species and life stages of mosquitoes throughout the mosquito production season," Saveikis said.

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