Chattogram Introduces American BTI Larvicide for Effective Mosquito Management

For the first time, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has started using the American technology-based larvicide BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to combat mosquitoes. The larvicide, proven effective in controlling dengue, chikungunya, and malaria, is applied in drains and sewers using fogger machines mixed with water.

The program was officially inaugurated on Monday, 1 December, in Ward 39 of South Halishahar by CCC Acting Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Md. Ashraful Amin.

Also present at the event were Chief Sanitation Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Malaria and Mosquito Control Officer Md. Sharful Islam Mahi, entomologist Rashed Chowdhury, and other dignitaries.

Md. Ashraful Amin said that after addressing previous staff and training shortages, special operations will initially be conducted in 25 identified “danger zones” of the city. He emphasized that spraying BTI during drain cleaning would yield faster results.

Chief Sanitation Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury noted that while Tempus 50 was previously used, the city has now shifted to the more advanced and tested American BTI under the mayor’s directive. He added that a single BTI application keeps the treated area safe for up to 15 days, with an efficacy of 98–99 percent. However, regular rotation is necessary to prevent mosquito resistance.

CCC Public Relations Officer Aziz Ahmed highlighted that the city has adopted a scientific approach to mosquito control, combining regular fogging, larvicide application, drain cleaning, waste removal, and public awareness campaigns. The introduction of American BTI is expected to more effectively destroy mosquito larvae and significantly reduce vector-borne diseases across Chattogram once citywide coverage is achieved.

BTI is a naturally occurring, bacteria-based larvicide that targets mosquito, black fly, and fungus gnat larvae. When applied in water, larvae ingest the bacteria through their food, and the bacterial crystal protein toxins act in the larvae’s digestive system, killing them efficiently. Importantly, BTI is harmless to humans, domestic animals, fish, plants, and aquatic ecosystems, making it a globally recognized, safe, and scientific solution for controlling dengue, Zika, and chikungunya vectors.

DBTech/BS/EC/OR