Controlling tsetse with targets

What's the best target for controlling tsetse?

Targets come in various shapes and colours. Which is the best?

Target colour

In general tsetse are attracted from a distance by blue and black colours, with blue being slightly more attractive than black. However, tsetse will land on a black surface in preference to a blue one and they also land on horizontal oblongs in preference to vertical ones. These basic responses provide the basic principles that underly the design of targets commonly in use.

When blue and black targets are used, the insecticide is applied to the black portion only, where most of the tsetse will land. This selective application allows the amount of insecticide required.

Types of target that have been used to control various species of tsetse are shown below.

All black	Suitable for all species
All blue	Riverine species,G. austeni
Blue-black vertical panels	G. morsitans, G. pallidipes
Blue-black Horizontal panels	G. morsitans
Black-blue-black, vertical panels	G. palpalis, G. brevipaplis, G. austeni
Blue-black-blue, vertical panels	G. morsitans, G. pallidipes

Target Shape

Larger targets are more effective than small ones, but larger targets are also more expensive. In general, consider having a target of about 1 - 1.5 square metres, with the length being equal to or up to 70% greater than the height. Examine the widths of cloth available in the market and adjust the dimensions to allow minimal cutting and wastage of cloth.

Target support

You can use either steel or wooden poles to support the target. Wooden poles are cheaper but less durable.

Tsetse Plan will help you choose a target that suits your local situation.