Mosquito control programs in the United States are still searching for best management practices to control the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse; Diptera: Culicidae). Most intervention methods for this species are labor intensive or short term. In order to reduce the pressure of repeating inspections and treatments from mosquito operations, we investigated the effectiveness of barrier spray pesticide applications within urban and suburban residential yards in New Jersey as a control strategy using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) approach. We conducted barrier treatment with Suspend Polyzone (deltamethrin, 4.75% a.i, Bayer Environmental Science, Research Triangle Park, NC) in 2015 and 2016 and repeated in 3 wk to all accessible properties, and alleyways in the study site in Mercer County, New Jersey. Next we tested applications of Demand CSR pyrethroid (9.7% AI lambda-cyhalothrin) only or combined Demand CSR and Archer IGR insect growth regulator (1.3% AI pyriproxyfen) in Mercer and Hudson couties for 3 years during peak mosquito season (2016-2018). Suspend Polyzone applications proved efficacious, however lasted for 10 days. Demand CSR applications resulted in significant decreases in adult mosquito abundance posttreatment compared with the untreated control. The field study results were supported by laboratory no-choice bioassays using treated leaf foliage. While barrier treatments are a promising tool for mosquito management, it is important to remember in order to achieve effective mosquito control, variety of techniques such as barrier treatments, larval control, sanitation, source reduction, adult control, etc. should be combined into a complete integrated mosquito management program.
