Aerial application for control of public health pests

The use of aircraft to control important vector borne disease outbreaks through the selective application of pesticides continues to play a vital role in preventing the spread of disease in many parts of the world. The deployment of aircraft allows health authorities to treat large areas rapidly to reduce the presence of invertebrate disease vectors such as mosquitoes, flies and molluscs that transmit important human and animal diseases. Application methods using very small particle sizes, typically in the range 10 – 30 μm, can selectively target flying insects over large distances whilst avoiding unnecessary contamination of waterways and other non-target areas using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) techniques to minimise spray volumes and dose rates. Recent developments in the use of rotary atomisers, high pressure hydraulic nozzles and twin fluid nozzles are discussed in relation to control of both adult mosquitoes and flies as well equipment requirements for the application of larvacides.