Compounds for controlling aquatic breeding insects including an ethoxylated alcohol with a carbon chain length of about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms and about 0 to about 16 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, where the carbon chain is linear or branched with an alkyl group are provided. Methods for making branched alcohol ethoxylated compounds and linear secondary alcohol ethoxylated compounds are also provided. Methods for controlling insects with the compounds are also provided.