Efficiency of Zeolite Temephos on Mosquito Larvae Control in Water-Use Containers

In Huaykamin District, Nong khae Subprovince, Saraburi Province, Thailand, health volunteers are responsible for Aedes mosquito larvae control by applying Zeolite Temephos as a larvicide offered from Huaykamin Health Center. However, larvae are always found in household water-use containers. This study aims to investigate the larvicide use correction of 30 health volunteers. Daily household water-use volume was surveyed in 79 households. Lasting efficiency of Zeolite Temephos on mosquito larvae control in the water-use container was experimented. The results showed that the health volunteers incorrectly practice the larvicide proportional use by container sizes. Two household water-use container sizes, 130, 1,500-2,000 L observed in the community. The average proportion of daily household water use in a period of morning-midday-evening is 30-11-41 and 4-1-5% of 130 L and 1,500-2,000 L containers. The trail test of Zeolite Temephos treatment in 20 L experimental containers filled with tap water with 30 larvae showed 100% mortality within 24 hours. Follow-up was performed daily to observe larvae in the containers which removed water out and filled water up in the same volume as water use proportion time period in a day. The result of experiment showed that the larvicide residue prevented larvae recurrence by 4 wks and 10 wks in the containers simulated with water-use volume as 130 L and 1,500-2,000 L containers while that by 14 wks in the control containers. It is concluded that the higher percent of daily water use volume, the shorter is the lasting efficiency of Zeolite Temephos.