Novel insecticide coating technique developed

A team of European and African researchers has developed an efficient insecticide coating technique for bed nets that provides higher mortality for vectors like mosquitoes.

A process that uses electrostatic charge to enable the binding of a variety of insecticides, such as pyrethroids and nonpyrethroids, on a variety of substrates like nets and blankets has been developed. The charge is long-standing and helps with the binding of insecticides without any additional carrier.

Results showed that pyrethroid resistant mosquito strains Anopheles from Africa had greater mortality rate for electrostatic-bonded insecticide nets compared to standard deltamethrin-treated nets. The electrostatic treated nets gave higher efficiency at reduced insecticide concentration and reduced exposure time compared to standard insecticide coated nets.

Electrostatic-coated insect repellent net is one more addition to the number of electrostatic textile products such as cleaning wipes and filters. Mosquito repellent nets and blankets are important inventory for defense, medical and first-aid personnel who serve in war theaters, conflict zones and tropical climates.

The work titled, “Electrostatic coating enhances bioavailability of insecticides and breaks pyrethroid resistance in mosquitoes,” appeared in a recent issue of the United States’ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Seshadri Ramkumar, PhD, FTA (Honorary) is a professor in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University