Indoor Residual Spray (IRS)

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) for

malaria control

Historically, the primary approach to malaria control has been to:

keep mosquitoes out of houses.

Treat perimeter of house (spray walls) with insecticide that
exhibits repellent actions.

If mosquitoes enter, then drive them out before they bite,

Treat perimeter of house with an insecticide that irritates
mosquitoes

If mosquitoes are not repelled or irritated, then kill as many
as possible that enter the house.

Treat perimeter of house with an insecticide that kills mosquitoes.

Chemical options for IRS include all classes of insecticides.
Pros and cons of IRS
Pros:
Once walls are sprayed, few issues of
user compliance.
Protects all people in the house Provides
continuous protections for months.

Cons:
Requires public health infrastructure to
Conduct and maintain spraying.
Resistance in mosquitoes to insecticides.
Insecticides for Adult Mosquito Control
Insecticides for IRS
Insecticide-
formulation
Dosage/m
2
Efficacy
(Wks)
Rounds
DDT-50% WP 1 gm 10-12 2
Malathion-25% WP 2 gm 6-8 3
Deltamethrin-2.5% WP 20 mg 10-12 2
Cyfluthrin-10% WP 25 mg 10-12 2
Lambda Cyhalothrin-
10% WP
25 mg 10-12 2
Space Sprays
Two forms of space-sprays, namely thermal fogs
and cold fogs can be dispensed by vehicle-mounted
(ULV) or hand-operated machines (Weekly
application).
Commonly used insecticides for space spray:
Pyrethrum- extract(2%), Malathion, Fenitrothion,
Pirimiphos methyl, Permethrin, Deltamethrin,
Lambda-cyhalothin and Cyphenothrin.
These insecticides instantly kill the mosquitoes, but
lack any residual effects.

Triple resistant -to DDT, Dieldrin and Malathion Double resistance- to DDT and Dieldrin Resistant to DDT Reports not available Quadruple resistance -to DDT, Dieldrin, malathion and deltamethrin Triple resistant -to DDT, Dieldrin and Malathion Double resistance- to DDT and Dieldrin Resistant to DDT Reports not available Quadruple resistance -to DDT, Dieldrin, malathion and deltamethrin Triple resistant -to DDT, Dieldrin and Malathion Double resistance- to DDT and Dieldrin Resistant to DDT Reports not available Quadruple resistance -to DDT, Dieldrin, malathion and deltamethrin Triple resistant -to DDT, Dieldrin and Malathion Double resistance- to DDT and Dieldrin Resistant to DDT Reports not available Quadruple resistance -to DDT, Dieldrin, malathion and deltamethrin
Susceptibility Status of An. culicifacies
and An. stephensi to Insecticides
Vector Type of
resistance
No. of
States
No. of
UTs
Total No.
of
districts

An.
culicifacies
DDT
Double
Triple
Quadruple
18
16
8
2
2
2
1
-
286
233
182
2

An.
stephensi
DDT
Double
Triple
7
6
3
1
1
1
34
27
8
Other vector species are mostly susceptible to insecticides
Double DDT & BHC
Triple DDT, BHC & Malathion
Quadruple DDT, BHC, Malathion and Synthetic
pyrethroids
Enormous instances of refusals or
locked houses (end user disinterest)

Poor maintenance of time table for
spray operations

Logistical problems like lesser no. of
trained spray crew, quality of spray
pumps, poor maintenance of spray
records etc.

IRS being a repeat intervention; adds up
to an enormous cost if repeated twice in
a year

Mud houses a huge problem for IRS
teams
Insecticide Residual Spraying (IRS)
Equipments in Vector Control
The main function of spraying equipment (sprayer) is to
atomize the spray fluids (which may be suspension, emulsion
or solution) into small droplets and eject it with some force
for proper distribution.
Ground Equipments Used for Vector Control
Equipment for the production of sprays (100-300 m droplet)
Equipment for the production of mists (50-100 m droplet)
Equipment for the production of aerosols (25-50 m droplet)
Equipment for the production of thermal fog (5-15 m droplet)
Equipment for the application of solid materials
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Nozzle selection and maintenance can have
a major impact on the quality of your
application and the efficacy of the products
applied.

Nozzle selection and spray pressure will
have an impact on potential environmental
and personal contamination through either
run off and/or drift.
Nozzle selection and spray quality [drop size]
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Classification of Pesticide Application by Droplets
Size
Very coarse spray > 500 m
Coarse spray 300-500 m
Medium spray 200-300 m
Fine spray 100-200 m
Mists 50-100 m
Coarse aerosols 25-50 m
Aerosols (Fine) < 25 m
Fog 5-15 m

Sprayers
Cutaway Diagram of a Compression Sprayer
HYDRAULIC ENERGY SPRAYERS
Delivery of Spray Solution Through Stirrup Pump
Sprayer
Trigger Valve Assembly
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Better drift-control
Better biological
activity for some
products
More droplets from the same volume of water are produced if drop
size is decreased.
Which drop size is best may be dependent on the product used, the drift risk or
be a compromise.
Nozzle selection and spray quality [drop size]
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Cone Nozzle
Fan Nozzle
Floodjet Nozzle
Cleaning of Nozzle Tip
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Nozzle selection and spray quality
DO NOT -
Clean a nozzle with an abrasive implement
Clean a nozzle by blowing through it with your mouth
Use damaged or worn nozzles
Use fine spray drop sizes on a windy day

DO -
Wear gloves when handling nozzles
Clean a nozzle with water and a light brush
Protect nozzles from blockages with use of recomended filters
Frequently clean nozzles
Calibrate nozzles and sprayer every season
Replace the nozzle if damaged
Follow any product label recommendations
Change nozzles as necessary depending on the crop, growth stage and
product mode of action
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Calibration of Sprayer Nozzle
Equipment of Mists
Equipments for Thermal Fogs
Fogging Operation using Swingfog
Machine
Thermal Nozzle of Fogger
Equipment for Solid Materials
The life of equipments depends upon handling and maintenance
Careless handling and poor maintenance can ruin even the best
equipment.
Lubrication instructions to be followed.
General inspection for cracks, loose connections, leakage wornout
washers and Hoses should not be bent, rolled and store flat.
Calibration of sprayer and nozzles output.
No pesticide material to leave overnight in the machine.
Sprayers should be stored upside down to ensure proper drainage and
condensing.
The nozzles should be cleaned thoroughly with kerosene.
Spare parts (washers, nozzles etc.) to keep in stock.
Maintenance of Pesticide Application
Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
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The 5 Golden Rules
1. Before using any Insecticide
product, always read its label and make sure you understand all
safety needs

2. Handle insecticide products carefully at all times to avoid contact or
contamination

3. Maintain sprayers well, fixing, for example, any leaks before starting
an application.

4. Practice good personal hygiene

5. Use appropriate protective clothing as last line of defence and not to
become careless and increase exposure risks.
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Avoiding exposure risks
Reduce potential contamination through the adoption of good working
practices:
Always fix leaking sprayers before use.
Use nozzles that produce largest drop size advised by label.
(Equipment that produce finer droplets are more likely to cause
contamination)
Higher water volume rates are inherently safer than those more
concentrated. Use within label stated ranges.
Use spraying equipment that meets the FAO recommended specifications.
Always direct the spraying nozzle downwind.
Avoid spraying in very windy conditions.
Avoid walking through vegetation that has just been sprayed.
Immediately wash any splashes of undiluted product from the skin and eyes.
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PPE: Label Information
Every product label will identify the protective equipment
requirements for both measuring/mixing as well as for application.
This information is shown as pictograms to help total
understanding by all product users, and is grouped into the following
activities.
Mixing liquids
Mixing solids Application
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PPE: Use of pictograms that help
ensure product safety
Use gloves Use face visor Wash hands Use apron
Use boots Use dust mask Use respirator Use coverall
Note: Gloves and boots are tucked into coveralls
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Pictogram for an example of a WHO Class II product
(moderately hazardous)
Harmful
Keep Locked
away
Use long sleeved
shirt and long
trousers
wear gloves When
handling
concentrate
Use face
shield
Wear boots
When
spraying
Wear long
sleeved shirt and
long trousers
Wear boots
Wash after use
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PPE Storage and maintenance
Always store protective equipment separately from insecticide
products.

Wash gloves, aprons, boots and face shields after use.

Wash spray clothing separately from domestic washing.

Change respirator filters following the manufacturers guidelines.
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