Emergency control of Aedes aegypti in the Dominican Republic using the Scorpion 20 ULV forced-air generator

In an effort to develop a more effective measure for use in emergency control of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. applications of a combination of a larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis [B.t.i.]) and an adulticide (permethrin) were made using a truck-mounted forced-air generator (Scorpion 20) and evaluated in the Dominican Republic. This method has the potential to simultaneously control adults and larvae. In bioassay cages placed in household water containers at the time of application, larval mortalities were 95.1 and 100% for 2 application rates of permethrin mixed with B.t.i. Adult mortalities were not as impressive, probably because of resistance to permethrin. Higher adult mortality in caged specimens (78.5%) and a substantial reduction in the natural population (68.4%) of Ae. aegypti were obtained following a 2.1-g AI/ha application of deltamethrin alone.