It is inconceivable to me why there hasn’t been a public outcry from local cities and towns regarding pesticide spraying (or at least comments regarding it’s efficacy).
Nowhere in all the literature I’ve read is it stated that the use of pyrethroids for mosquito control is "safe," nor is it the first and best method of controlling mosquito populations. There is no such thing as a "safe" pesticide. In addition, I have read that adulticiding (spraying to kill adult mosquitoes) is the last method to be used when and if the incidence of human West Nile Virus is confirmed.
I believe spraying gives a false sense of security to residents as it does not prevent disease nor does it ever kill all the mosquitoes. I have also read that mosquitoes develop a resistance to pesticides, thus rendering pyrethroids ineffective.
In the August 2012 response to West Nile Virus compiled by Beyond Pesticides, a national information and advocacy organization on pesticides and alternatives based in Washington, D.C., it is stated that "Spraying should only be done after carefully evaluating the likelihood of virus transmission, pesticide-related illnesses, and the contributing factors to a human epidemic of mosquito-borne diseases. Any program that is determined to responsibly respond to threat of WNv should exploit fully all non-chemical and preventive methods (including least-toxic chemical larval control) before resorting
Larviciding with a bacterial agent (BTi) is safer and kills the mosquito before it hatches to bite. It is safer than chemical pesticides and does not harm humans nor the insects and birds that eat mosquitoes. Why hasn’t the safest method of mosquito control been used?
Paula Wells
Clarksburg
Aug. 21
Font Resize
