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What Is AQUABAC? AQUABAC is a biological larvicide for the control of mosquitoes by cottage owners, rural dwellers and farmers on their own properties. An effective tool for reducing the risk to family and pets of contracting the West Nile Virus. AQUABAC is a granular formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis insraelensis (B.t.i.). The granules are made from ground corn cobs and the bacteria spores are stuck to the granules with a coating of vegetable oil. B.t. is one of the oldest as well as one of the newest naturally occurring materials for controlling insects. B.t. is a bacterial disease of insects which through time has evolved naturally into different strains which affect different groups of insects. It can be found readily in the soil, in the water, on leaves and in the air we breathe. One strain is registered in Canada for caterpillar control in agriculture and forestry, another is used for Colorado beetle control in potato fields, and the third is registered as AQUABAC for mosquito larval control.
How Does It Work? B.t. is a single-celled bacterium that under normal environmental conditions is found in relatively low numbers compared to other microorganisms. When the B.ti. on the AQUABAC granules is introduced into standing water with mosquitoes, the concentration is much higher than normal thus insuring the bacteria will come in contact with a large proportion of the mosquito larval population. Within 2 to 3 days the bacteria are difficult to find. They have either been consumed by the mosquito larvae, settled to the bottom of the breeding area or been broken down by ultra-violet light.  B.t.i.
is active only on the wriggler stages of mosquitoes which must eat the
spores and proteins in the bacteria in order for the disease to take hold.
It does not work on the mosquito eggs, pupae or adult stages. Mosquito
larvae have alkaline stomachs to aid in digestion unlike mammals, fish,
frogs and birds for example which have acidic stomachs. This the main
reason why people and other animals are not adversely affected by AQUABAC.
Because B.ti. has evolved as a disease of mosquitoes it does not harm
other arthropods such as dragon fly nymphs and daphnia that may also live
in the pools of water.When the mosquito larvae eat the B.t. particles, the alkaline gut environment causes the B.t. to grow and create holes in the stomach wall of the mosquito. The bacteria then multiply in the mosquito body and the mosquito dies. This process takes 2 to 12 hours. 
How Is It Used?The AQUABAC granules are applied to the surface of the standing water sites containing mosquito larvae. This product can be applied by hand or a hand held grass seeder. Five to 10 ml (1 to 2 teaspoons) of AQUABAC is enough to treat an area of one square metre of standing water. Mosquito breeding sites including woodland pools as well as containers that hold water should be treated when mosquito larvae are seen or on a 7-day schedule through out the spring and summer months. READ THE AQUABAC LABEL THOROUGHLY BEFORE USING |
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