Evaluation of the combination of control methods for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Pará de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of different vector control methods for Aedes aegypti in four areas of Pará de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, comparing entomological indicators between areas with different interventions and a control area. Methods: the study was conducted in four areas: Control Area (CA) - application of Spinosad; Intervention Area 1 (IA1) - use of pyriproxyfen larvicide disseminators; Intervention Area 2 (IA2) - application of a circular polymeric matrix containing pyriproxyfen in breeding sites; and Intervention Area 3 (IA3) - combination of the strategies of IA1 and IA2. The interventions
were monitored for 13 months. Three entomological indicators were used for comparison between the areas: Ovitrap Positivity Index (OPI), Egg Density
Index (EDI), and Average Egg Index (AEI). Results: a significant positive association between the values of the entomological indices in the different study
areas. The three indices showed similar variations throughout the observation period, with synchronous fluctuations. No statistically significant differences
were observed between AI1 and AI3 in relation to AC. However, AI2 presented significantly higher values of IPO (p = 0.032), IMO (p < 0.0001) and IDO (p < 0.0001) when compared to AC. Conclusions: the methodologies applied in isolation in AI1 and AI2 were less effective than Spinosad-based control. The combination of strategies in AI3 showed similar effectiveness as CA with the advantage higher residual time, suggesting that the integrated use of methods may represent a promising alternative for the control of Ae. aegypti.