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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 #353006

Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Portable battery power and small-reservoir modifications for pesticide misting systems

Author
item Aldridge, Robert
item Gibson, Seth
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken

Submitted to: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2018
Publication Date: 9/10/2018
Citation: Aldridge, R.L., Britch, S.C., Linthicum, K. 2018. Portable battery power and small-reservoir modifications for pesticide misting systems. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 34(3):240-243. https://doi.org/10.2987/18-6764.1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2987/18-6764.1

Interpretive Summary: Military personnel deployed in remote locations in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa frequently encounter mosquitoes and flies that spread disease. Tests with outdoor time-release insecticide misting systems in remote areas in a variety of environments demonstrate that misters could augment the existing Department of Defense pest management system. To conduct these tests in remote locations with off-the-shelf misting systems designed to operate with household electric power and a 55 gal. pesticide reservoir, we developed a portable, solar rechargeable battery system, and a 5 gal. pesticide reservoir that can be refined for military installations.

Technical Abstract: Military personnel deployed in austere conditions and remote locations in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa are routinely exposed to nuisance and disease-vector insects. Tests with outdoor time-release insecticide misting systems in remote locations in a variety of arid and temperate environments indicate that misters could safely and effectively augment the existing Department of Defense pest management system. To conduct these tests in remote locations with commercially produced misting systems designed to operate with household power and a 55 gal. pesticide reservoir, we developed a portable solar rechargeable battery system and 5 gal. pesticide reservoir that could be refined for future military field applications.