Larval Mosquito Control Pesticides
Bti
EPA toxicity levels are grouped into four categories: (IV) relatively non-toxic, (III) slightly toxic, (II) moderately toxic, and (I) highly toxic. Bti is rated as relatively non-toxic (IV). By comparison, caffeine would be labeled moderately toxic (II).
Facts about Bti
- Bti is a microbial insecticide
- Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis is a rod-shaped bacterium which releases a toxin crystal when it reproduces
- This crystal is only toxic to mosquitoes, black fly, and a few related species
- Bti is considered relatively non-toxic to humans and other mammals
Toxicity to people: LOW RISK
- found to be a non-irritant to skin & eyes
- not found to be oncogenic (tumor-producing)
- not found to cause birth defects
Toxicity to non-targets:
- other mammals – essentially no risk
- birds – essentially no risk
- fish – essentially no risk
- bees – essentially no risk
- other invertebrates – low to none for most other invertebrates, including other insects. However, Bti has been found to affect dixids, chironomids, and ceratopogonids.
Environmental Risk is Very Low
Bti:
- is highly specific for mosquito and black fly larva
- is applied directly to mosquito-producing habitats
- produces no toxic residues – risk to groundwater is low
- is non-volatile (doesn’t release vapors)
- is harmless to beneficial aquatic organisms, including insect predators
Efficiency as a Pesticide
- Bti is applied to larval habitat to kill mosquitoes before they become pests
- Bti produces rapid knockdown and mortality in mosquitoes, usually within 24 hours after application
- Bti is not persistent in the environment, so the chance of resistance developing is low
##############
Altosid
EPA toxicity levels are grouped into four categories: (IV) relatively non-toxic, (III) slightly toxic, (II) moderately toxic, and (I) highly toxic. Altosid is rated as relatively non-toxic (IV). By comparison, caffeine would be labeled moderately toxic (II).
Facts about Altosid
- Altosid is an insect growth regulator
- the active ingredient, Methoprene, is an insect juvenile hormone mimic
- Insect juvenile hormone affects the development of the insect to its adult stage (metamorphosis)
- Altosid is considered relatively non-toxic to humans and other mammals
Toxicity to people: LOW RISK
- found to be non-irritating to skin & eyes
- found to be non-sensitizing to skin
- not found to be oncogenic (tumor-producing)
- not found to cause birth defects
Toxicity to non-targets:
- other mammals – essentially no risk
- birds – essentially no risk
- amphibians – slight to moderate risk
- fish – slight to moderate risk
- bees – essentially no risk
- other invertebrates – potentially high for other aquatic insects and some aquatic invertebrates
Environmental Risk is low
- Altosid is applied directly to mosquito-producing habitats
- Altosid produces no toxic residues – risk to groundwater is
low - Altosid is non-volatile (doesn’t release vapors)
Efficiency as a Pesticide
- Altosid is applied to larval habitat to kill mosquitoes
before they become pests - Altosid offers control for up to 30-150 days (depending on the formulation), providing long term control of mosquitoes
##############
Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)