Impact of barrier sprays on the spatial distribution of mosquitoes in a suburban neighborhood in eastern North Carolina

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Justin Bunn (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: "Host seeking mosquitoes can be a nuisance and also transmit pathogens causing numerous diseases worldwide. Homeowners may hire private companies that use barrier sprays to alleviate mosquito-related issues , especially in areas where state funding for mosquito control programs is limited. Barrier sprays of insecticides are applied directly to foliage and other surfaces where mosquitoes rest and sugar feed , hence killing adult mosquitoes seeking harborage. Here , the spatial distribution of mosquitoes were evaluated in a suburban neighborhood during successive treatments with either Bifen Insecticide/Termiticide [active ingredient: bifenthrin] or Suspend Polyzone [active ingredient: deltamethrin]) from May 17- November 8 , 2016. A total of 15 , 451 adult mosquitoes and 18 , 054 eggs were collected during the study period. Analysis of variance (P <0.05) was used to analyze differences in abundance for key species between weeks , traps , and treatments. Weather trends were analyzed using time-lagged weekly average temperature and total rainfall in a multiple linear regression model to determine the extent to which environmental variables influenced mosquito abundance. A geographic information system (GIS) file was created and kriging was used to investigate ""hot spots"" of mosquito abundance in the study area. A land cover analysis was performed within the GIS file to determine the extent to which land cover type could predict mosquito abundance."

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

GIS, Barrier Sprays, Suspend Polyzone, Bifenthrin, Deltamethrin

Subjects

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