Bio-efficacy of diazinon (0,0 diethyl 0-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidnyI) phosphorothioate) against Cintex and Pediculm species at a Social Welfare camp, Magugu, Babati District, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Although under certain circumstances bedbugs and body lice may be responsible for the transmission of certain human diseases such as hepatitis B in the case of Cimex species and typhus fever, trench fever, relapsing fever etc. in the case of Pediculus species, they are mostly associated with biting nuisance as a result of poor hygiene. However, their biting nuisance may also cause the victim particularly children to become anaemic and or to acquire secondary dcrmatological infections. An experiment was conducted to assess biological efficacy of diazinon (0,0 diethyl 0-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidnyl) phosphorothioate), an organophosphate with short-term residual effect in controlling wild populations of Cimex and Pediculus species at a social welfare camp for homeless elderly persons and destitute at Magugu, in Babati District, northern Tanzania. The evaluation was based on observations and physical count of adult and immature stages of the two species found on beddings. Scores done before spraying diazinon were compared with similar counts done after treatment. Counting was continued for two weeks in order to assess the insecticides' residual effect by monitoring changes in population densities. The insecticide was found to be effective in controlling the two species, and by the end of the study period, numbers of the two species had declined significantly.