Larvicide is a chemical substance used to kill mosquito larvae. It is usually spread on the surface of water, where the larvae live. Larvicides are used to control mosquitoes and other insects.
They can also be organic compounds like Bacillus thuringiensis or methoprene.
In some places larvicides are applied to standing water in ponds, lakes and other water bodies by airbrush sprayers or by hand-held applicators. Larviciding may be done by local authorities following a request from inhabitants of an area with heavy mosquito infestation; it may also be done as part of a national campaign for malaria control.