Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379063
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Mosquitoes and Biting Flies

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Field evaluation of Talstar (Bifenthrin) residential barrier treatments alone and in conjunction with mosquito magnet liberty plus traps in Cedar Key, Florida

Author
item LLOYD, AARON - Lee County Mosquito District
item Kline, Daniel - Dan
item BERNIER, ULRICH - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Journal of the Florida Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2021
Publication Date: 6/10/2021
Citation: Lloyd, A.M., Kline, D.L., Bernier, U.R. 2021. Field evaluation of Talstar (Bifenthrin) residential barrier treatments alone and in conjunction with mosquito magnet liberty plus traps in Cedar Key, Florida. Journal of the Florida Mosquito Control Association. 86(1):56-62. https://doi.org/10.32473/jfmca.v68i1.129100.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32473/jfmca.v68i1.129100

Interpretive Summary: Barrier spray adulticide application is an effective part of managing adult mosquito populations. This technique has been used on a limited basis worldwide to suppress nuisance adult populations of biting midges. Therefore, this technique utilizing bifenthrin (a pyrethroid) alone and in combination with mosquito traps was evaluated to determine effectiveness in reducing extremely nuisance populations of adult biting midges in a residential subdivision of Cedar Key, FL, which was located near a salt marsh. The authors concluded that bifenthrin barrier sprays used alone and in combination with mosquito traps significantly reduced biting midge annoyance in this residential area. Adult biting midge populations were reduced while also satisfying federal concerns about broad-scale insecticide application in an area located adjacent to an environmentally sensitive area.

Technical Abstract: The effectiveness of barrier bifenthrin adulticide treatments and adult mosquito traps (MM-Liberty Plus traps by Woodstream Corporation) was evaluated against Culicoides biting midges in a residential coastal area located in Cedar Key, Florida. Efficacy evaluations were determined through surveillance trap collections and modified landing rate counts. In general, all treatments provided significant reductions from Culicoides biting midge pressure when compared to the control. The bifenthrin and Liberty Plus trap combination treatment was more successful than the Liberty Plus trap treatment alone. However, both treatments utilizing bifenthrin were more successful, suggesting that Culicoides biting midge population suppression may be obtained through barrier treatments alone.