The FBRK editorial team continues its series on the methods used to control insects in the regions of Kazakhstan. We asked whether local authorities practice the principle of biological protection against insects and whether they are ready to completely abandon the use of insecticidal products.
According to the Department of Energy and Housing and Communal Services of the West Kazakhstan Region, disinsection work in Uralsk is carried out in two stages.
In the first stage, starting from April, a biological preparation called "Baktitsid" is used against the larval stage of mosquitoes and midges. It is sprayed using backpack sprayers.
The second stage of treatment begins in May and is aimed at controlling the winged stage of biting midges. At this stage, treatment in Uralsk and its suburban areas is carried out using chemical preparations.
For context, the FBRK editorial team enquired whether regions in Kazakhstan are prepared to use only biological preparations when controlling insects, and we sent corresponding official requests to local executive bodies.
Earlier, we reported that in Astana, Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan and Turkestan regions, biological preparations are used to control the larval stage of blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, midges, etc.) in river floodplains and water bodies.
However, the regions are forced to combat the flying stage of insects with chemical preparations, as local specialists are unaware of any biological preparations that can adequately affect older pest specimens.
The remaining regions sent responses, the gist of which can be summed up in two key phrases: "we only use insecticidal preparations" and "we will consider your proposal regarding the use of biological preparations."
Furthermore, local authorities in one district of the Karaganda region expressed concerns that, despite the effectiveness and safety of biological preparations, it would simply be uneconomical for contracting organisations to purchase them.
Additionally, all regional departments of agriculture note that biological preparations are not capable of effectively destroying agricultural pests, and therefore the departments are forced to use chemical preparations.
Meanwhile, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Abai Sagitov, stated in an interview with FBRK founder Kirill Pavlov that chemical preparations (pesticides) can be extremely dangerous for living organisms, including humans.
According to the academician, in the countries of the European Union, the USA, and China, the use of chemical preparations has been banned for about two years. Instead, biological preparations and beneficial insects are widely used worldwide for pest control.
As an example, the expert cited the preparation "Novakrid" - an effective biological insecticide based on entomopathogenic fungi, designed to control locusts, which, it is worth noting, is a preparation authorised on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The expert also reported that the All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, located in St. Petersburg, produces effective biological preparations that are acceptable for use in urban environments. The Kazakh authorities need only to arrange for the supply of these preparations to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Thus, it can be concluded that safe yet effective preparations intended for controlling harmful insects do indeed exist. This means there are ways to reduce the negative impact on public health during disinsection.
The authorities only need to ensure that these preparations are available in our country and that local executive bodies are aware of them.
After all, as Abai Orazovich noted, "human health cannot be measured by any amount of money. It is priceless."