The FBRK editorial team continues its series on the methods used to combat insects in the regions of Kazakhstan. We asked ourselves whether local authorities practise the principle of biological protection against insects and whether they are ready to completely abandon the use of insecticidal agents.
For context, we previously reported that in Astana, Pavlodar Region and East Kazakhstan Region, biological preparations are used to combat the larval form of insects in river floodplains and on water bodies.
However, the regions are forced to combat the flying form of insects using chemical preparations, as local specialists are unaware of any biological preparations that can adequately target the more mature pests.
The FBRK editorial team inquired whether the regions of Kazakhstan are ready to use only biological preparations when combating insects, and accordingly sent official requests to local executive bodies.
The Department of Energy and Housing and Communal Services of Karaganda Region reported that during disinsection work in the region's settlements, they use exclusively insecticidal agents.
The department also noted that local akimats will consider the possibility of using biological preparations instead of chemical ones, but how realistic this intention is, and whether it will lead to any results, remains to be seen.
The regional Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, meanwhile, quoted sanitary requirements for disinsection in its response, listing the generally permitted methods for combating insects.
However, the department presented the information in such a way that it appears all permitted disinsection methods (mechanical, physical, biological and chemical) are used in the region.
Furthermore, the department noted that the Ministry of Health "has put disinfection activities out to competitive tender", and reminded that, according to the law, "the department is not entitled to provide assistance in carrying out entrepreneurial or other income-generating activities".
Presumably, the department was trying to indicate that it is not competent to influence the choice of preparations used, as long as they are registered in the Unified Register of State Registration Certificates of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and are used for their intended purpose.
It is worth noting that most districts of Karaganda Region sent responses, the gist of which can be summed up with two key phrases: "we only use insecticidal preparations" and "we will consider your proposal regarding the use of biological preparations".
However, there were also districts whose responses particularly interested our editorial team.
The akimat of Aktogay District reported that pest control for agricultural crops (most often locusts) is carried out using chemical preparations. However, the possibility of using biological preparations "Mikolar-V" and "Mikolar-M", based on strains of entomopathogenic fungi, is being considered for the future.
The akimat of Osakarovka District shared that disinsection on water bodies in the rural districts of Yesil and Karagaily is carried out using solutions of insecticidal agents. Meanwhile, in Nura District, "to preserve the aquatic ecosystem", disinsection is carried out only near water bodies, still using the same chemical preparations.
The akimat of Shakhtinsk, for its part, reported that using biological control methods (natural enemies, growth inhibitors, hormone analogues, various traps) on local water bodies is extremely ineffective, which is why treatment in the city and surrounding villages is carried out using insecticidal agents.
Given that in some regions, as we have previously noted, biological preparations are used to combat insect larvae in water bodies—preparations whose effectiveness has long been proven and yields significant results—certain conclusions can be drawn about the competence of disinsection operators in Karaganda Region.
Evidently, the akim of Shakhtinsk holds a unique expert opinion on the effectiveness of disinsection methods, differing from that of Kazakhstan's specialists and biologists.
But the most candid answer to the question of why the region is still not ready to switch to biological preparations for insect control was provided by one of the districts of Karagandy city. As reported by the akimat of Alikhan Bokeikhan District, it is simply not cost-effective for the contractor to purchase biological preparations due to their high cost.
"Biological preparations are a very effective means of treating insects in natural water bodies, and also a very environmentally friendly and ergonomic means; however, the use of this preparation is currently economically unfeasible in terms of cost for the service provider (10-15 times more expensive than insecticidal preparations), as it is imported from other countries", the akimat's statement reads.
Thus, while in some regions the local executive bodies are ready to abandon the use of insecticidal preparations but are unaware of safe and simultaneously effective means, in Karaganda Region, specialists, by all accounts, do not trouble themselves with concern for the population, preferring chemical preparations and caring more about the solvency of contractors.