Chemical treatment of wide-mesh net clothing for personal protection against blood-feeding arthropods

The potential of resmethrin-impregnated netting for protecting man against blood-feeding arthropods was investigated, with laboratory olfactometer tests on Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles albimanus Wied., outdoor cage experiments on these species and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and field tests on Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wied.) in Florida and Chrysops atlanticus Pechuman in Georgia, USA. Resmethrin showed no repellent activity and caused very rapid intoxication and behavioural changes that resulted in a complete or high level of protection from biting, as well as kill of attacking insects. In the olfactometer tests, A. aegypti and Anopheles albimanus were not repelled but died from momentary contact with treated netting. In the cage tests, these species and S. calcitrans were killed by momentary contact while attempting to feed on hosts. In the field tests, protection was obtained against Aedes taeniorhynchus and C. atlanticus, and the numbers of attacking insects were reduced to low levels.