Temporal and storage effects on ultra-low volume droplets of insecticides collected on Teflon-coated slides.

Use of microscope slides is the most commonly used method to field-assess the droplet spectrum of ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. Due to absence of analysis facilities during military deployments, slides must be stored and shipped, and the impact of delays in processing and storage conditions on droplets is unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of storage temperatures and duration on droplets on Teflon-coated slides. Treatments included BVA-13 mineral oil, Kontrol 30-30 (30% permethrin), and Fyfanon (96.5% malathion), 2 slide wrapping techniques (proper and improper), and 2 storage temperatures (23 and 45 degrees C), replicated 6 times. The same areas of a slide were measured at different times for 56-58 days using the DropVision droplet measurement system. Regardless of the wrapping technique, droplets of BVA-13, Fyfanon, and Kontrol 30-30 on slides stored at 45 degrees C reduced significantly after 1, 2, and 1 day, respectively, but droplets on slides stored at 23 degrees C were not significantly affected. The results of this study may assist vector control professionals to accurately interpret the droplet size and help in the effective dispersal of ULV-applied insecticides.