Larviciding

Larviciding is the main component for a successful mosquito control program. Larviciding is the action taken to destroy mosquito larvae in stagnant water. Mosquito larvae left untreated develop into adult mosquitoes, which are a nuisance at best and a public health threat in the worst case.

Successful larviciding begins with an understanding of the type of mosquito present in our area. The Aedes vexans mosquito develop in stagnant water found in ditches and ground depressions which hold water for more than 7-10 days. Treating these sites with larvicides destroy the mosquito larvae.

Some of the larvicides used in the Wahpeton Vector Control Program include, Altosid and MetaLarv (insect growth regulators) and BTI (biological insecticides).

The larviciding program begins in late April or early May and continues through late September and sometimes into early October. In most areas the active larviciding is discontinued when low and daytime temperatures drop to the point larva is no longer present in water.  Late September into early October is generally the date when the Wahpeton area can expect its first frost of fall.

The larviciding program applies larvicides to stagnant water within the City of Wahpeton and the surrounding area. Mosquito habitat sites are inspected and treated if necessary with larvicide products.