What is the typical aerial droplet size range for adulticide applications?

• A. 5-10 microns
• B. 15-30 microns
• C. 40-60 microns
• D. 70-90 microns

Answer: (B)

Aerial adulticide spraying uses ultra-low volume fog with fine droplets that stay suspended long enough to intercept flying mosquitoes but still deposit on them. The 15-30 micron range hits the sweet spot: droplets are small enough to stay in the air and contact mosquitoes, but large enough to deposit on insects rather than drifting away or quickly falling to the ground. Droplets that are much smaller (like 5-10 microns) tend to drift more and pose higher off-target exposure without delivering an effective dose. Droplets that are much larger (40-60 or 70-90 microns) settle too quickly and don’t reach mosquitoes at typical flight heights, reducing coverage. So, 15-30 microns is the most effective balance for aerial adulticide applications.