Concurrent control of mosquitoes and domestic pests by use of deltamethrin-treated curtains in the New Delhi Municipal Committee, India

A field trial was conducted in Block F of the Moti Bagh area of New Delhi M unicipal Committee to demonstrate composite control of Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti by spraying deltamethrin at 100 mg/m(2) on window and doo r curtains of habitations. Results revealed drastic reduction (87.9-93.7%, P < 0.05) of target species in the experimental area. The impact of deltame thrin-treated curtains was also evident against nontarget species (67.9-85. 7%, P < 0.05). Treated curtains provided 100% kill of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti for 3-4 months, followed by a gradual decline in successive months . Use of deltamethrin-created curtains resulted in 92.0 reduction in slide positivity rate and 95.4% reduction in malaria cases per thousand populatio n. The cost of deltamethrin treatment was Rs 41.15 (< $1 U.S.) per house pe r annum. insecticide-treated mosquito window and door curtains, along with legislative measures, may provide cost-effective concurrent control of mosq uitoes and other domestic pests.