Preventing mosquito infestations in Canada just got a whole lot easier with the recent introduction of drone technology for VectoBac and VectoLex application.
Until recently, mosquito management solutions were limited to hand and truck application, making the process extremely labour-intensive and time consuming with a high risk of operator exposure during such applications.
However, with the recent introduction of advanced technology to aid the process, Canadians can now manage mosquito infestations with ease; and with over two decades of experience in the industry, Strongfield Environmental is poised to provide the necessary support for your entire project.
Strongfield Environmental offers superior solutions to help manage mosquito infestations, with an integrated pest management (IPM) portfolio that includes a growing fleet of impressively equipped drones/UAVs to efficiently and effectively disseminate VectoBac and VectoLex to eliminate mosquito larvae before they even have time to hatch.
What Are VectoBac and VectoLex?
VectoBac and VectoLex are two biological larvicide formulations containing the naturally occurring soil bacterias Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), respectively. They are used to control mosquitoes, black flies, and other nuisance flies, and both are safe biological control agents commonly used in place of more harmful chemical insecticides.
VectoBac and VectoLex are designed to kill mosquitoes in the larval stage of the life cycle. When sprayed upon the surface of aquatic breeding sites, the larvicide infiltrates the food eaten by the larvae in the water, quickly making feeding impossible and killing the larvae within 24 hours of absorption. Often, VectoBac and VectoLex starts taking effect within two hours of administration.
Both larvicides come in a granule form that can be placed directly in standing water areas where mosquitoes breed. Alternative and often more efficient methods include mixing the larvicides with water or other substances and spraying them from the air or ground using unmanned vehicles.
Are VectoBac and VectoLex Safe?
Approved for use by Health Canada, both VectoBac and VectoLex include moderate-to-high organic active ingredients that, while highly effective at eliminating mosquito larvae, are not harmful to non-target organism populations, such as plants, fish, and other organisms that live in water.
For the same reason, it is safe to use in residential areas, such as cities, suburbs, and recreational sites. It is also safe for environmentally sensitive locations, such as lake communities, golf courses, and campgrounds.
When to Spray for Mosquito Control?
To ensure you enjoy a mosquito-free summer season, it is vital to start spraying mosquito larvae just before the season starts. Early spring is the most optimal time to administer the larvicides — before the larvae have the opportunity to hatch.
Why Is Mosquito Management So Important?
Mosquitoes are potential vectors of pathogens that cause disease, so keeping populations under control is extremely important for the health and wellbeing of Canadians from coast to coast.
Controlling and reducing the number of mosquitos in high-use areas such as campgrounds, golf courses, and lakeside communities, in addition to residential areas, like city parks and suburban neighborhoods, greatly increases peoples’ quality of life and ability to enjoy the outdoors — something that is especially important to Canadians who endure long, cold winters.
Drones Are the Answer to Mosquito Management
At Strongfield Environmental, we work in collaboration with you to develop the right integrated pest management (IPM) strategies so that you can keep your premises free from mosquito infestations every summer.
Strongfield Environmental uses advanced technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Ground Vehicles to complement the IPM process and to increase operator safety, reduce water use, and increase access to tight or hard-to-reach areas — often where traditional equipment cannot go.
Our approach to developing fully functioning IPM programs acts in the interest of your future goals by increasing the effectiveness of your protection methods while also shielding you from labour shortages.
Keep in mind that although an IPM doesn’t automatically discourage the use of larvicides, it promotes only using them in selective areas that require immediate attention, and finding complementary, often natural ways, to address long-term challenges. Simply put, IPM involves a mixture of techniques that ensure it alleviates the pest population while also considering the long-term health of the land, surrounding wildlife, and the people tending to it.
Are you ready to talk to the experts about how you can prevent mosquito infestations this summer? We can help!
Fill out the form below to get more info on mosquito management with Strongfield!