What are Microbial Larvicides?

Microbial larvicides are bacteria that are registered as pesticides for control of mosquito larvae in outdoor areas such as irrigation ditches, flood water, standing ponds, woodland pools, pastures, tidal water, fresh or saltwater marshes, and storm water retention areas. Duration of effectiveness depends primarily on the mosquito species, the environmental conditions, the formulation of the product, and water quality.

Microbial larvicides may be used along with other mosquito control measures in an IPM program. The microbial larvicides used for mosquito control are Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (B. sphaericus). Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium registered for control of mosquito larvae. Bti was first registered by EPA as an insecticide in 1983. Mosquito larvae eat the Bti product that is made up of the dormant spore form of the bacterium and an associated pure toxin. The toxin disrupts the gut in the mosquito by binding to receptor cells present in insects, but not in mammals.

There are at currently over 25 Bti products registered for use including our preffered product Microbe-Lift BMC as well as Aquabac, Teknar, Vectobac, and LarvX are examples of common trade names for the available mosquito control products. Bacillus sphaericus is a completely naturally occurring form of living bacterium that is found all over the Earth in every country and in every temperate zone.

The specific bacterial latin name "B. sphaericus" was initially registered by EPA in 1991 for use against various kinds of mosquito larvae. Mosquito larvae ingest the bacteria, and as with Bti, the toxin disrupts the gut in the mosquito by binding to receptor cells present in insects but not in mammals. Products like ML-BMC, VectoLex CG and WDG are Government registered and sanctioned B. sphaericus products and are effective for approximately one to four weeks after application.

Do Microbial Larvicides Pose Risks to Human Health, Wildlife or The Environment?
The microbial pesticides have undergone extensive testing prior to EPA and Health Department registration. They are essentially nontoxic to humans, so there are no concerns for human health effects with Bti or B. sphaericus when they are used according to label directions. Extensive testing shows that microbial larvicides do not pose risks to wildlife, nontarget species, or the environment, when used according to label directions. Follow all directions on the label to ensure safe and effective operation!

Our Selection of Mosquito Control Products are now on Amazon As an Amazon affiliate we may recieve payment for purchases made through Amazon. Summit Responsible Mosquito Control Kills mosquitoes before they're old enough to bite The only product with bti, bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae Lasts for 30 days and treats 100 square feet of surface water Non-toxic to all other wildlife, pets, fish, and humans Kills & repels mosquitoes for up to 4 weeks Also kills fleas, gnats, ticks and other insects Spray paths and wooded areas to kill ticks 64 oz value size concentrate, which makes up to 50 gallons of finished spray that covers up to 10, 000 sq ft and is easy to mix in your own sprayer. A Mosquito Dunk looks like a small, beige donut which floats on standing water. As the Dunk slowly dissolves, it releases a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito larvae. The active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks is Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti). Bti is a bacterium that is deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to other living things. Just float a biodegradable Mosquito Dunk in water troughs, koi ponds, birdbaths, rain barrels, animal watering troughs, elevator shafts, or any place where water collects and remains for periods of time. While floating, a Mosquito Dunk slowly releases a long-term biological mosquito larvicide at the water’s surface. This larvicide gradually settles in the water, and while it travels through the water it is eaten by the mosquito larvae growing there. When female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water treated with a Mosquito Dunk, the larvae will hatch and begin to eat the Bti. The Bti will kill the mosquito larvae before they can grow up to become biting and disease-spreading adults. Each Mosquito Dunk will effectively treat 100 square feet of surface water for 30 days or more. For less water, a portion of a Mosquito Dunk can be used. Homeowners, ranchers and farmers looking for a safe, nontoxic way to control mosquitoes can use Mosquito Dunks, which kill mosquitoes before they can become flying, biting, disease-carrying adults. Summit 111-5 Mosquito Dunks, 20-Pack Kills mosquitoes before they're old enough to bite. The Mosquito Dunks are America's best selling home owner mosquito control product. The only product with BTI, a bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae, that lasts 30-day and treats 100-square feet of surface water. Non-toxic to all other wildlife , pets, fish, and humans. Simply apply Mosquito Dunks to any standing water, or water garden. Kills within hours lasts for 30-day or more. Labeled For Organic Gardening by the USEPA. Highly effective low impact product. Bonide 5612 Mosquito Beater Effectively repels for up to 3 weeks. Nontoxic, biodegradable and pleasantly scented. Easy to use shaker applicators. Contains: Geranium oil, cedar oil, lemon grass oil, garlic and citronella oil. Covers 4000 sq. ft. Dynatrap DT2000XL Electronic Insect Eliminator, 1-Acre Coverage The DYNATRAP DT2000XL Mosquito Insect Eliminator effectively eliminates mosquitoes and other flying insects. Coverage up to one acre. Two UV fluorescent bulbs produce warm light to attract insects to the DYNATRAP. The Ti02 titanium dioxide exclusive coated funnel produces C02 which is irresistible to mosquitoes luring the insects to the powerful yet whisper quiet vacuum fan. Insects are collected and trapped into the retaining cage away from the area of usage providing the user safe pest protection and comfortable living quarters.

For large ponds and golf-course water-hazourds the application of Microbe Lift Mosquoto Control is to apply 1 gallon per foot surface acre (200' x 200' x 1' depth) every month. Microbe Lift significantly lowers potential for development of resistance in target insect populations than chemical larvacides such as methoprene.

Alternative Mosquito Treatments
While we totally recommend the simplicity and efficiency of Microbe-Lift there are alternative mosquito control techniques that many people swear by; for your information here is some information on these products if you wish to further investigate these products.

Methoprene Granules For Preventative Mosquito Control
No matter what techinique is being considered, preventing mosquito populations in any given area is far more effective and less expensive than trying to control the biting pests in their adult stage. There are situations when using adulticides for flying mosquitoes is necessary. For these situations a fogging solution or spray solution is needed. The best pest control involves eliminating as many mosquito breeding grounds as possible.

Methoprene Granules can kill mosquitoes for up to 21 Days For those areas where eliminating water that harbors mosquitoes, a mosquito larvicide is needed. Methoprene Mosquito Granules contain an IGR that inhibits the growth of certain insects in their immature stages. When mosquito larvae are exposed to Methoprene, they do not die. These wrigglers (as they are sometimes called) seem to be unaffected when observed. The effect of the product shows in the pupal stage. In this stage the immature mosquitoes normally develop into adult insects and immerge to start their biting, reproducing life cycle.

However, the young insects that have come into contact with the unique IGR material will not survive past the pupae stage and never become adult biting pests. Application of Methoprene Granules Mosquito control granules are simply sprinkled or broadcast in areas where mosquitoes may breed. Apply 1 tablespoon per 211 square feet, 1/4 cup per 1,480 square feet, 1 pound per 8,712 square feet.

As we have found there can be a certain resistance built up over time when using this product and som dosages are typically going to increase over time which will lead to increasing costs to achieve the same insect free results.

As we stray further into products that may be dangerous to humans and wildlife we find such products as Temephos for mosquito control.

Temephos

Temephos is an organophosphate (OP) pesticide registered by EPA in 1965 to control mosquito larvae, and it is the only organophosphate with larvicidal use. It is an important resistance management tool for mosquito control programs; its use helps prevent mosquitoes from developing resistance to the bacterial larvicides. Temephos is used in areas of standing water, shallow ponds, swamps, marshes, and intertidal zones. It may be used along with other mosquito control measures in an IPM program.

Abate is the registered trade name of the temephos product used for moskeeto control. Temephos is usually applied most commonly as a spray from a helicopter but can be applied by corrosive resitant backpack sprayers, fixed-wing aircraft, and right-of-way sprayers in either liquid or granular form. When spraying from a back-pack make sure to provide adequate masking and inhalation protection for the applicating individual as the spray could cause ill-effects in humans if ingested or uinhaled directly!

Does Temephos Pose Risks to Human Health, The Environment or Wildlife?
Temephos and variations in the brand name, when applied according to the labels for mosquito controlling, does not pose an unreasonable risks to human health but it is a question if there is a reasonable risk to humans that is acceptable. If the malaria carrying mosquitos are going to be killed then perhaps the risk management is worthwhile; some people insist that banning DDT may have been a mistake as there are thousands of people in third world countries dying from mosquito borne disease.

Temephos is usually applied to water, and the amount of temephos is very small in relation to the area covered, less than 1 ounce of active ingredient per acre for the liquid and 8 ounces per acre for the granular formulations. Temephos breaks down within a few days in water, and post-application exposure is minimal. However, at high dosages, temephos, like other OPs, can overstimulate the nervous system causing nausea, dizziness, and confusion.

Because temephos is applied directly to water, it is not expected to have a direct impact on terrestrial animals or birds. Current mosquito larviciding techniques pose some risk to nontarget aquatic species and the aquatic ecosystem. Although temephos presents relatively low risk to birds and terrestrial species, available information suggests that it is more toxic to aquatic invertebrates than alternative larvicides. For this reason, EPA is limiting temephos use to areas where less-hazardous alternatives would not be effective, specifying intervals between applications, and limiting the use of high application rates.

Summary
There are alternative and perhaps highly effective methods of mosquito control available in chemical form but we believe more in biological treatments and this is why we are advising all of our clients and freinds to use Microbe-Lift BMC to eliminate their mosquito problems.


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