The application of film-forming compositions to aquatic sites, especially aquatic breeding sites for control of surface-active aquatic breeding insects other than black flies, especially for immature mosquitos, has been found to be enhanced when different compounds than those suggested in the prior art are used. The compounds according to the present invention comprise film-forming chemicals which are biodegradable, nonionic, insoluble or partially soluble in water, and include C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, and C11 alcohol ethoxylates, propoxylates, and/or alkoxylates with an average of one (1) to five (5) moles of ethylene and/or propylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and mixtures thereof. The compositions may be applied directly as liquids or released into the aquatic environment from a carrier, such as a biodegradable, water-erodible, water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier. Compositions may also be formulated with chemical or microbial pesticides prior to application as a liquid or from a carrier for enhanced single stage or multistage insect control.