Florida Keys Mosquito Control Using Different Insecticide in Fog Trucks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2011

Contact: Coleen Fitzsimmons

(305) 292-7190

Florida Keys Mosquito Control Using Different Insecticide in Fog Trucks

As many are aware, the District can only conduct 25 missions via fog truck in any given area due to federal  restrictions on our current adulticiding chemical (i.e., permethrin),.  This restriction was recently added to mosquito control products with this particular active ingredient.

Due to the large populations of mosquitoes this season, we have approached the maximum number of missions in a number of areas, especially in the Upper Key Largo area.  We have been testing a number of different products and due to both efficacy studies and product pricing, we will be applying Fyfanon® ULV Mosquito Insecticide for the remainder of the (season/calendar year/etc) in areas in which we have reached the maximum number of applications.

Fyfanon® ULV Mosquito Insecticide is a widely-used product that utilizes Malathion, which is an organophosphate.  This product can be applied up to three times per week in any given area, with no restrictions on the total number of applications per year.  The District has found that Malathion works very well in both laboratory and field trials and will be utilizing this product immediately.

Applications of Fyfanon® ULV Mosquito Insecticide will cause a distinct odor in the area treated.  This odor will dissipate after a short amount of time along with the biting mosquitoes being impacted.

Malathion has been used for adult mosquito control and agriculture since 1956.  It was replaced with alternative adulticides in the District approximately 20 years ago, due to District concerns about mosquitoes becoming resistant to long-term use of organophosphates.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the District at (305)292-7190.