RANDOMISED, CONTROLLED, BLINDED FIELD TRIAL ON THE EFFICACY OF BIOCIDE FORMULATION (BACILLUSSPP.) IN THE CONTROL OF MOSQUITO VECTORS

A randomised, controlled, blinded field trial was conducted in a large cantonment area, to study the efficacy of the biocide formulation (Bacillusspp.) indigenously produced by Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, as a mosquito larvicide, in comparison with Fenthion and Temephos. The study revealed that the biocide formulation in dosage of 5 grams per square metre brought about a very high level of control of culicine larvae from third day of application and the effect persisted till at least 28 days (median values of percentage reduction achieved being 93% to 100%). This effect was statistically significant from 7th to 28th day, as compared to Fenthion, Temephos or the biocide in dosage of 2 grams per square metre. Fenthion, on the other hand was statistically more efficacious in bringing about a quick reduction, with a 100% reduction being obtained within a day, but the effect declined to a low level by 7th day.