ECU BS Environmental Health (BSEH) and MS Environmental Health (MSEH) students, visiting Fayetteville State University (FSU) student, and ECU faculty from the Environmental Health (EH) Program and Department of Public Health participated this week in a field trial during a collaboration between the Richards Laboratory, Pitt County Vector Control, and Clarke Mosquito Control. The field trial was conducted to evaluate droplet size, droplet distribution, and mosquito mortality rates in field and susceptible mosquito populations exposed to two different formulated products (Biomist 3+15 and Duet) using ultra-low volume application equipment. It is important to evaluate the efficacy of products to ensure that the most effective insecticides are being used for targeted control.

The following are the participants in the field trial: Dr. Stephanie Richards (Dept. of Health Education and Promotion [HEP], EH program faculty), Dr. Sinan Sousan (Department of Public Health faculty), Dr. Avian White (Dept. of HEP, EH program faculty), Raven Slade (MSEH student), Will Murray (MSEH/MPH student), Emma Rush (BSEH student), Naia Braxton (FSU visiting student), Amanda Morrison (Pitt County Vector Control), Sydney Brogden, Derek Drews and Victoria Hyrczyk (Clarke Mosquito Control).

It was a wonderful learning experience and we appreciate the collaboration with our county and industry partners!