120 - Product Density and Droplet Size Considerations for Accurate Targeting in Aerial Adulticiding

Abstract: Aerial adulticiding is widely practiced and still considered an integral part of an Integrated Vector Management approach for many programs in the southern United States. It is also an important method employed after natural disasters and during emerging epidemics when there is a need to rapidly reduce populations of adult mosquitoes over large areas in order to protect the public.

In the past, programs utilizing aerial adulticiding mostly relied upon a single product to achieve their goals, developing application parameters through trial and error that worked under their specific circumstances. However, more widespread use of insecticide susceptibility testing techniques coupled with a better understanding of the importance of resistance management has led to programs employing multiple products for aerial adulticiding in a rotational approach.

This added complexity now requires aerial applicators to understand the differences between products, specifically their physical attributes, so they can modify their application parameters to accurately target mosquito populations near ground level through the use of appropriate spray line offsets. This is particularly important in higher altitude sprays.

This presentation will address the important consideration of droplet size as it relates to product density (specific gravity), and how applicators can tailor their application parameters for accurate placement of spray droplets into the target zone. Comparisons will be made between light (specific gravity less than 1.0) and heavy (specific gravity of 1.8) products, low altitude (under 150 feet) and high altitude (over 250 feet) sprays, and why different droplet sizes may be appropriate for each combination of methodologies.