Space spray application of insecticides for vector and public health pest control : a practitioner's guide

Overview

This guide provides information on how to control flying insect pests and vectors of diseases by applying insecticides as space treatments. Space treatments are usually designed to provide a rapid knock-down and mortality with little or no residual effect. Such treatments must be considered in conjunction with other control methods as part of an integrated vector management programme. Space spraying provides a rapid method of control in emergency or epidemic situations and may be used for seasonal control of flying insect pests or vectors. However, it may not be ideal for all vectors or situations and as such may not be an economical method of control.

The aim of space treatments is to rapidly reduce populations of flying insect pests and vectors. An additional objective may be to reduce or interrupt the transmission cycle of insect-borne diseases. Among the disease vectors affecting public health, the most important and widespread are mosquitoes, houseflies, sandflies and other biting flies; some of these may be targeted for space treatment.

Immediate killing of actively flying insects requires a cloud of insecticide droplets that they will encounter in flight. To be cost-effective and obtain good biological efficacy, space spraying requires:

• Knowledge of the behaviour and biology of the target species – to understand where and when space treatments will be effective;
• knowledge of insecticides and formulations most suitable for space spraying;
• knowledge of pesticide application technology – to know which equipment is needed and how to use it; and
• monitoring and surveillance of the target species and vector-borne disease problem to evaluate the efficacy of the programme.