- Scientists discovered the first pesticide-resistant mosquitoes in 1947. Since then, more than 100 species have developed resistance to at least one insecticide, according to researchers at Louisiana State University. Effective mosquito control includes eliminating the bugs' breeding sites, such as birdbaths, swimming pools, plugged gutters and other areas with standing water. Change birdbath water at least once a week and keep your pool chlorinated. Topical bug repellents containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) can prevent bites, as can long sleeves and pants. Citronella oil also repels mosquitoes. Try setting several citronella candles within a few feet of outside seating.
- The common fruit fly proves that pesticide resistance can last years after discontinuation of an insecticide. According to a report in "Science Daily," researchers from Colorado State University found DDT-resistant fruit flies around the world in 2002, even though it had been decades since DDT's use. To trap and kill fruit flies, place a piece of banana peel inside a clear plastic food container. Put on the lid. Poke three holes in the lid with a toothpick. Place the container in your kitchen. The fruit flies will enter holes in the lid looking for the peel and not be able to escape. Toss the container in the trash after it's collected a few days' worth of fruit flies.
- If you grow corn, you're familiar with the corn earworm moth, which lays eggs in the silks of ears of corn. The moth's larvae grow and consume the corn. The corn earworm's larvae are notoriously tough to control with pesticides. Carbamates such as Lannate and Larvin, as well as pyrethroids including Asana and Warrior, may work. Spraying the crystal protein Bacillus thuringiensis also controls some infestations. Non-pesticide measures for earworm control include planting very early in the growing season, soon after the first frost. Late-season plantings after weather has warmed are more vulnerable because insect populations grow as temperatures climb.
- Despite the name, potato beetles eat all plants in the potato family, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and petunias. The bugs saw big gains in pesticide resistance from 1998 to 2010, according to researchers from Michigan State University. Recommended treatments include neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid applied to the furrow where you sow vegetable seeds. It's imperative that you not use the same pesticide in consecutive seasons or plantings, or new resistance could develop. Rotate to a non-neonicotinoid pesticide every other year. Also, don't apply more insecticide than you need to control beetle populations. Spot-treat infestations before they grow out of control. Try rotating in non-potato-related vegetable crops from year to year as well.
- It can take head lice less than five years to adapt to pesticides in shampoos, hairsprays and other control agents. Shampoos including Nix, Rid and Ovide still work in some cases, but too many afflicted families stop using the treatments before the course is complete. That can boost pest immunity by leaving behind a survivor population of lice to pass on stronger genes. Some doctors recommend coating infested hair with thick gel, vegetable oil or mayonnaise, and applying a shower cap over the hair overnight. The heavy substances and the cap suffocate the lice.
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