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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322867
Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Investigations with misting systems, barrier treatments, and space sprays operationalized with a mobile pesticide app

Author
item Gibson, Seth
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2016
Publication Date: 2/11/2016
Citation: Britch, S.C., Linthicum, K. 2016. Investigations with misting systems, barrier treatments, and space sprays operationalized with a mobile pesticide app [abstract]. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting. February 7-11, 2016, Savannah, Georgia. Asbtract No. 140.

Interpretive Summary: This presentation reviews ten years of field research conducted through the Deployed War Fighter Protection Program (DWFP) to find the best pest management techniques, pesticides, and equipment to protect personnel in field conditions against disease-carrying insects. This research program was developed to improve on existing military pest management systems that failed to adequately protect troops in the field in recent US military operations in southwest Asia.

Technical Abstract: US military operations in field conditions face significant negative impacts on mission readiness from disease-vector and nuisance populations of filth flies, mosquitoes, and sand flies. Although measures are in place to protect personnel in the field from these insect threats, experiences from recent US military campaigns in southwest Asia suggested that these measures were not adequate. One of the underlying causes is that pest management techniques, equipment, and pesticides have generally been developed in warm temperate conditions and not sufficiently tested in the broad range of environments occupied by US military activities. For ten years, through the Deployed War Fighter Protection Program (DWFP), we have conducted a series of trials in multiple environments and ecological zones against a range of medically important target insects, using an array of combinations of pesticides, application equipment, and techniques. From this work we have developed a series of recommendations for misting systems, barrier treatments, and ground and aerial space sprays that are effective in specific environmental conditions against specific target insects. To make these recommendations immediately operational we are developing a mobile Pesticide App that provides up to date, enhanced, and interactive guidance to both military and civilian public health pest management planners, applicators, and leaders.