Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. The District's IPM program uses current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest nuisance and public health threats by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District's IPM includes vector surveillance, source reduction and/or elimination, public education, biological control, and chemical control.
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Surveillance
The District utilizes an extensive surveillance program for both adult and immature (larval) mosquitoes. Throughout Butte County the District uses 26 New Jersey light traps, 20 gravid traps, 7 sentinel chicken flocks, and over 40 CO2 traps to monitor adult mosquito abundance and virus activity. District Mosquito Control Specialists monitor larval mosquito populations throughout the entire county on a daily basis utilizing a standard one-pint dipper. District Mosquito Control Specialists spend the majority of their daily routine inspecting standing water such as rice, wetlands, storm drains, ponds, ditches, swimming pools, bird baths, fountains and other man made containers for larvae.
The District utilizes an entomology department (Lab) that is staffed with an entomologist and a lab technician. The District's entomology department is responsible for the identification of the trapped mosquito collections and reporting the population numbers to the California Department of Public Health. The lab conducts virus testing on live mosquitoes, dead wild birds, and sentinel chicken flocks. These tests are the Districts eyes to monitor and detect mosquito-borne viruses in and around the county. The lab also conducts scientific pesticide trials to monitor the chemicals effectiveness on targeted mosquitoes and to assess the possible effects of non-targets and trials on new chemical methodology and/or new chemicals. The lab is also at your service to identify ticks, arachnids, and other insects.
Source Reduction and/or Elimination
The
best means of mosquito control is source elimination. All mosquitoes need
water to breed, unfortunately water is vital to keep lawns green, to grow
crops, and to provide habitat for other aquatic insects and animals. District
Mosquito Control Specialists actively work with property owners and municipalities
to reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation, to observe or consider
best management practices when irrigation is needed, to actively participate
in the design of new developments, and the overall minimization of standing
water on a property.Public Education
The District's mission is to protect residents from mosquitoes and other
vectors that transmit disease. Public education and information is an
important part in the success of combating diseases such as West Nile
virus and Lyme disease. The District's education program consists of public
appearances at local city and county fairs, participation in the state
Mosquito and Vector Awareness week, and presentations to schools and local
civic groups. If you would like to schedule a presentation by District
personnel, please contact our office at (530) 533-6038 or (530) 342-7350.
For additional information please see our Public
Education page.
Biological Control
Butte County Mosquito and Vector
Control relies heavily on biological control. Over the years the District
has tested many parasites and organisms to predate on or infect mosquito
larvae. The District has tried using mosquito larvae eating fish, nematodes,
planaria, and other mosquitoes 
such
as Toxorhynchites sp. to try and control mosquito larvae populations.
By far and away, the most efficient biological control method used by
the District today is mosquito larvae eating fish known as Gambusia
affins (Mosquitofish). Upon inspections with larvae
present, District Mosquito Control Specialists evaluate the water source
to determine if biological control is the most practical treatment possible
and if deemed plausible the specialist will plant mosquitofish. For
additional information pertaining to mosquitofish please see our Mosquitofish
page.
Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District continually evaluates new and old biological control methods and products. The District continually sends staff to advanced training and seminars to retrieve new technology and ideas from around the world to maintain that the District remains on the cutting edge of science.
such
as Toxorhynchites sp. to try and control mosquito larvae populations.
By far and away, the most efficient biological control method used by
the District today is mosquito larvae eating fish known as Gambusia
affins (Mosquitofish). Upon inspections with larvae
present, District Mosquito Control Specialists evaluate the water source
to determine if biological control is the most practical treatment possible
and if deemed plausible the specialist will plant mosquitofish. For
additional information pertaining to mosquitofish please see our Mosquitofish
page.Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District continually evaluates new and old biological control methods and products. The District continually sends staff to advanced training and seminars to retrieve new technology and ideas from around the world to maintain that the District remains on the cutting edge of science.
Chemical Control
Butte
County Mosquito and Vector Control District's primary goal is to protect
public health and welfare by managing mosquito populations so they do
not present a significant risk to our community and residents. In the
event that mosquito populations pose a significant public nuisance or
when emergency control measures are needed to rapidly disrupt or terminate
the transmission of disease to humans, the District will respond by continuing
to implement its integrated pest management program. The District's chemical
control program consists of larvicides and adulticides.While the mosquito larvae is confined to the water, it can be eliminated before it is able to emerge. If a target pest can be treated before it becomes mobile, the area requiring treatment will be much smaller. District Mosquito Control Specialist identify sources
of
water that are producing mosquito larvae and assess if the source can
be eliminated, re-designed or re-managed to prevent future breeding, and
evaluate if biological control measures will be effective. If these options
are not practical for the source then the specialist will conduct chemical
control (larvicide) to eliminate the targeted mosquito larvae. Chemical
options include some materials that are targeted to affect only a few
insect species, leaving predatory and other insect and non-insect aquatic
species unharmed. All products are registered with the California Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and are applied by trained and state-certified
specialists.As part of the integrated pest management program, the District may administer Ultra Low Volume (ULV) treatments by using backpack foggers, hand sprayers, all terrain vehicle mounted foggers, truck-mounted foggers or aircraft, in and around areas where virus activity has been detected. Each fogging unit's output is calibrated to ensure the correct amount of product is applied for each treatment area. All products are registered with the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are applied by trained and state-certified technicians. Adulticides are chemicals that quickly reduce adult mosquito populations. Larvicides target immature mosquitoes.
The District will make every attempt to notify individuals who sign-up for the District's email notification list. However, the District may not be able to notify the public if immediate applications are needed to protect public health and welfare from diseases such as West Nile virus, western equine encephalomyelitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria and future newly introduced viruses. The District may also cancel a scheduled operation due to un-favorable weather conditions and/or other reasons.
Product labels and material safety data sheets can be acquired for the chemicals used by the District at the following links:
Clarke Mosquito Control: www.clarkemosquito.com
Adapco: www.myadapco.com
McLaughlin Gormley King Company: www.mgk.com
Crop Data Management Systems: www.cdms.net
Pesticides Used For Mosquito Control In Butte County
| Adulticides | ||||||
| Active Ingredient |
Trade name | EPA Reg No. |
Mfgr | Formula | Application | Pesticide Classification |
| Malathion | Fyfanon ULV | 4787-8 | Cheminova | Liquid | Adults | OP |
| Naled | Trumpet EC | 5481-481 | AMVAC | Liquid | Adults | OP |
| Deltamethrin | Suspend SC | 432-763 | Aventis | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Permethrin | Biomist 4+12 ULV | 8329-34 | Clarke | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Pyrethrins | Pyrocide 7396 | 1021-1569 | MGK | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Resmethrin | Scourge (18%) | 432-667 | Aventis | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Sumithrin | Anvil 10+10 ULV | 1021-1688-8329 | Clarke | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Pyrethrin | Aquahalt | 1021-1803-8329 | Clarke | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Pyrethrin | Pyrocide 7395 | 1021-1570 | MGK | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Sumithrin | Anvil 2+2 ULV | 1021-1687-8329 | Clarke | Liquid | Adults | Pyrethroid |
| Larvicides | ||||||
| Active Ingredient |
Trade name | EPA Reg No. |
Mfgr | Formula | Application | Pesticide Classification |
| Bacillus sphaericus. Bs | VectoLex CG | 275-77 | Valent Biosciences | Granule | Larvae | Biorational |
| Bacillus sphaericus. Bs | VectoLex WDG | 73049-57 | Valent Biosciences | Water dispersible granule | Larvae | Biorational |
| Bacillus sphaericus. Bs | VectoLex WSP | 73049-20 | Valent Biosciences | Water soluble packet | Larvae | Biorational |
| Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, Bti | VectoBac 12AS | 73049-38 | Valent Biosciences | Liquid | Larvae | Biorational |
| Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, Bti | VectoBac G | 275-50 or 73049-10 | Valent Biosciences | Granule | Larvae | Biorational |
| Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, Bti | Bactimos Briquets | 6218-47 | Summit | Donut-Style Briquets | Larvae | Biorational |
| Monomolecular film | Agnique MMF | 2302-14 | Henkel Corp | Liquid | Larvae and Pupae | Surface film |
| Petroleum Oil | GB 1111 | 8329-72 | Clarke | Liquid | Larvae and Pupae | Surface film |
| S-Methoprene | Altosid ALL | 2724-446 | Wellmark-Zoecon | Liquid concentrate | Larvae | IGR |
| S-Methoprene | Altosid Briquets | 2724-375 | Wellmark-Zoecon | Briquet | Larvae | IGR |
| S-Methoprene | Altosid Pellets | 2724-448 | Wellmark-Zoecon | Pellet-type granules | Larvae | IGR |
| S-Methoprene | Altosid SBG | 2724-489 | Wellmark-Zoecon | Granule | Larvae | IGR |
| S-Methoprene | Altosid XR-G | 2724-451 | Wellmark-Zoecon | Briquet | Larvae | IGR |
| Temephos | Abate 2-BG | 8329-71 | Clarke | Granule | Larvae | OP |