The FBRK editorial team continues its series on the methods used to control insects in the regions of Kazakhstan. We asked ourselves whether local authorities practice the principle of biological protection against insects and whether they are ready to completely abandon the use of insecticidal products.
As a reminder, earlier the founder of FBRK, Kirill Pavlov, visited Pavlodar, where specialists explained that biological preparations are used to control mosquito and midge larvae in river floodplains and reservoirs.
Meanwhile, in the region, the flying form of insects is being tackled using the barrier treatment method, which involves creating an insecticidal barrier on the path of insects from water bodies to populated areas.
We asked ourselves whether the regions of Kazakhstan are prepared to use only biological preparations for insect control, and therefore sent corresponding official requests to local executive bodies.
As reported by the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the East Kazakhstan Region, currently the region uses only the chemical method as the main method of insect control, which involves the use of insecticides.
Nevertheless, in addition to the chemical method of disinsection, regulatory legal acts provide for the use of ecological methods, in particular, maintaining the sanitary condition of the environment, as well as the use of bacterial preparations and larvivorous fish.
_____________
For reference: larvivorous fish are fish used to destroy blood-sucking larvae (especially the larvae of malaria mosquitoes). Prominent examples of larvivorous fish are the gambusia and the guppy.
However, as the department noted, the use of the biological method, namely the application of larvivorous fish, is only possible when controlling mosquito larvae, whereas tick control cannot be achieved without the use of chemical insecticides.
Thus, a complete abandonment of the use of pesticides in the East Kazakhstan Region is not considered possible.
Nevertheless, as experts have previously noted, if chemical preparations are used while adhering to the recommended concentration of solutions, significant harm to other fauna and to humans can be avoided.
As a reminder, in May we wrote that in the East Kazakhstan Region, anti-tick treatments are carried out using the preparation "Favorit", the main active ingredient of which is the synthetic insecticide "Alpha-cypermethrin".
Alpha-cypermethrin is moderately toxic to earthworms, practically non-toxic to birds, but very toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and bees. The substance has moderate persistence in soils.
Alpha-cypermethrin can be toxic to humans and animals if used improperly or in large doses. Poisoning with alpha-cypermethrin leads to lack of coordination, convulsions, salivation, and tearing.
The FBRK editorial team strongly recommends opting for safer preparations in insect control, and when using chemical preparations, not to neglect the instructions for their use.