The spraying with insecticides in Mambaí - GO in 1980 caused a Progressive decrease of intradomiciliary T infestans but not its eradication. With the collaboration of the local population triatomine infestation was detected using several vigilance methods. In the first year of control there was a significant decrease from 28.6% to 13.5%, but because of failures in the spraying program during 1981, this level increased to 23.2%. The continuation of selective spraying in subsequent years resulted in a progressive fall, and in 1984 14.2% of the houses registered bugs. Simultaneously the percentage of intradomiciliary T. sórdida tended to increase but T. cruzi infection rema ined low. These findings suggest that control of T. infestans using only insecticides (BHC and Deltamethrin) is difficult and expensive. Community participation is essential in programmes for the control of Chagas ' disease. Consequently, the use of integrated measures is necessary in the control of Chagas' disease to encourage the active participation of afflicted communities, stimulated through educational programs.
Trypanosoma cruzi; Triatoma infestans; Triatoma sórdida; Insecticides; Chagas' disease control