Larvicide

THE FOLLOWING mosquito control PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN by the northeast district FOR THEIR SAFETY and EFFICACY. Preferred products will be used first and are listed first, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VARIETY OF alternate and rotational PRODUCTS SHOULD A PRODUCT BECOME UNAVAILABLE OR MOSQUITO POPULATIONS BECOME RESISTANT.

All products listed are approved for use in the state of Massachusetts

Larvicides/Pupicides: These products prevent adult mosquito emergence by targeting the larval or pupal stage of the mosquitos’ development and are applied only to water containing immature mosquitoes. The products listed are separated by modes of operation: Bacterial, growth regulation and mechanical suffocants.

Bacterial larvicides:
Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces a crystalline protein toxin. This protein toxin is specific to mosquito larvae and black fly larvae. Bti only works on species with an alkaline pH stomach and the specific protein receptors for the toxin. The crystals must be ingested to show a toxic effect. This very specific mode of action makes it very safe for non-target organisms present in the same environment.

Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) is also a naturally occurring, spore-forming bacterium found throughout the world. At the time of sporulation, Bs produces slightly different crystalline proteins toxic for many species of mosquito larvae upon ingestion. Once the infected mosquito larva dies, Bs spores are released into the water to be ingested by future larvae for residual control.

Vectobac 12AS (Bti)

Vectobac G (Bti)

Vectomax WSP (Bs/Bti blend)

Fourstar 45-day Briquets (Bs/Bti blend)

Fourstar 90-day Briquets (Bs/Bti blend)

Fourstar 180-day Briquets (Bs/Bti blend)

Fourstar WSP (Bs/Bti blend)

FourStar Bti CRG (Bti)

FourStar CRG

Natular DT (Spinosad)


Insect Growth Regulators
These chemicals are typically referred to as insect growth regulators or IGRs. IGRs act on the endocrine or hormone system of insects. These insecticides are specific for insects, have very low mammalian toxicity and are non-persistent in the environment. IGR chemicals, such as Methoprene, mimic the action of juvenile hormone and keep the insect in the larval or pupal state. Insects treated with these chemicals are unable to molt successfully to the adult stage, and cannot reproduce normally. Altosid products also have a pretreatment capability.

Altosid XR 150-day Briquets Mosquito Growth Regulator

MetaLarv XRP Mosquito Growth Regulator

Altosid Pellets WSP Mosquito Growth Regulator


Mechanical Suffocants
Very refined mineral oils can be used as larvicides/pupicides. These products have the ability to kill immature mosquitoes by temporarily reducing the surface tension of the water making it difficult for the mosquito larvae, pupae and emerging adult to attach to the surface which causes them to drown. 4th instar larvae and pupae do not feed, thus making other larvicides ineffective at these stages. Mosquito larvicides and pupicides are effective on all species of mosquitoes that breed in standing water.

Cocobear Larvicide Oil (10% Mineral Oil)
To treat mosquito 4th instar larvae and pupae in cattail and red maple swamps, upper salt marshes, catch basins, waste treatment, settling ponds, ditches, and other manmade depressions that hold water. CocoBear is highly effective, (field trials confirm 100% control inside of 2 hours), spreads fast, effective in cooler temperatures, non-flammable, does not settle or separate and has a light coconut scent.

BVA 2 Liquid Larvicide (97% Mineral Oil)
To treat mosquito 4th instar larvae and pupae in cattail and red maple swamps, upper salt marshes, catch basins, waste treatment, settling ponds, ditches, and other manmade depressions that hold water. BVA 2 provides a short residual period of 1 to 3 days.