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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
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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
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Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

-Vectobac GS
-Vectolex WSP
-Altosid Pellets WSP
-Vectobac WDG
-Fourstar 90 Day Briquet
-Altosid XR