Abstract: In the absence of effective control efforts, Aedes dorsalis can be highly abundant in salt marsh habitats and fly en masse to harass nearby communities. Exceptionally high tidestrigger Ae. dorsaliseggs to hatch and warm summer weather accelerates larval development, producing biting adults often within a week. The one-week window of opportunity to apply larvicide coupled with challenges accessing remote sites in the salt marsh and allocating large numbers of staff to apply larvicide by foot can limit the efficacy of controlling this mosquito. We utilized an A1 mist sprayer (MS) to loft large quantities of liquid Vectobac 12AS larvicide to control Ae. dorsalis after exceptionally high tide events.We analyzed the number of acres that were treated, the time it took staff to inspect and treat the sites, the cost of the products used, the cost of the staff utilized, the average larvae per dip, and the abundance of Ae. dorsalis in nearby EVS traps in the years before and after the MS was brought into our program. More acres were treated, and more staff time was spent treating at the sites after the MS was implemented in our control program.The cost analysis of products used during the two time periods shows that we spent similar amounts of money on larvicides, but fewer larval and adult mosquitoeswere found after the MS was implemented. By combining treatments via MS with hand treatments, we were able toachieve comprehensive larvicide applications that effectively controlled Ae. dorsalis. By building mechanization and automation into our control program, we are better poised to address future challenges, such as the anticipated arrival of invasive Aedes in our county, without needing to increase staff substantially.
