Mosquito Spraying

I was wondering if any one is familiar with any damaging effects of Mosquito spraying in neighborhoods where gardens reside. We have a City truck that travels through the neighborhood once a month. The residual effect is that the neighborhoods stink for two (2) hours. We dare not let the dogs out into the yard until time has passed. Any comments?

I don't agree with spraying or fogging, the following is from info that the city of Fort Worth, TX has had printed.

Mosquito control sprays over our house, down the canal bank and the neighbors holding pond. They use a plane and trucks. I LOVE that they spray. We called them and asked if they would put us down on the list. It has been a world of difference around our home. We do not have as many flies as well. Still have all of our ladybugs so It must not be that strong.

your lucky it doesn't cause you problems. I can't go outside on the nights/mornings that they spray for at least 4 hours.

There seem to be so many unknowns about the effects of spraying for mosquitoes.

The one obvious advantage is immediate, short-term, limited, temporary relief.

But who knows what the costs are in the long-term, as well as in the wider ecological web, of which we are a part. I can identify a lady bug, but I couldn't begin to identify all the bugs, insects, micro-organisms in the soil, etc.in my back yard, let alone the neighborhood, etc. I also can not identify the chemicals they spray.

So, given that I can not identify 1) the entire range of affected life, nor 2) the chemicals, why should I assume they are safe?

It's hard for me to evaluate the trade-offs between whether to spray or not to spray without sufficient facts.

Shoot, if there is a problem tomorrow they will find another chemical solution......the day after tomorrow. Everythang will be okey dokey! :-)

I dunno, doesn't it seem like if it ain't yesterday's primordial soup, it's today's chemical soup? Be nice to grow my 'maters without my neighbor's Chemlawn wafting over them. Wish we had more choice about which chemicals to breathe, eat, wear, etc.

The primordial soup had a caretaker that knew what He was doing!

Amen

Chemical soup is right... I'm glad I found this thread, because I'm just finishing up a graduate-level course in Pesticides. One thing I've learned is that there are very few pesticides (especially those that are widely-used) that are free of problems: carcinogens, nerve toxins, interfere with hormones, kill non-target organisms such as bees, fish, and birds, as well as other insects, pollute water supplies, remain in the environment for prolonged periods, accumulate in fat tissues in animals/people, result in resistance of target organisms, etc. And new problems are still being discovered, even though we've been using manmade pesticides for 60 years. This class has opened my eyes to the real risks involved in using these chemicals and to the inadequate research and regulation. I'm increasingly angered by exposure without consent-- such as inhaling drift for four hours!

Do you have any idea what chemical is being used? I could ask my professor for you. He may be able to guess what chemical they may be using and the potential side effects.

I can understand all the concern about the chemicals being used in spraying for mosquitos. Could possibily be a little unhealthy. But, consider the consequences of not spraying....Mosquitos carry Maleria, Yellow Fever, Encephalitus (don't think I spelled that right), plus some new ones just being discovered. Frankly, I think I'd take my chances with the chemicals plus citronella around my home. We don't have the spraying here, unfortunately, so we have to do the best we can individually. When we're outside, we keep citronella candles going to keep from being eaten alive. Dotti

The one thing I have learned about pesticide use is that we are so stupid. As Forest Gump's mom said "stupid is as stupid does."

As with other things, there is a risk-benefit analysis on using pesticides. Luckily we don't have malaria or yellow fever in the U.S., so the benefit is not as urgent and the risks are often poorly understood. Pesticides are still used to combat malaria-- the obvious benefits outweigh the possible risks in those situations; however, use still needs to be done carefully, because many malaria-carrying mosquitoes are now resistant to many insecticides. Here, mosquitoes pose less of a threat. It's up to you how you perceive your risks and benefits. Still, what angers me is when people are exposed without consent-- like exfed99's situation (which I have also experienced), or many agricultural workers who are not trained or educated as to what they're handling.

Nashville has a regular spray program (we live about 30 miles south, and Murfreesboro doesn't spray - at least not out here; and skeeters aren't as big of a problem here unless you're near a stagnant pond or other body of water.)

West Nile Virus is a threat, and we do have the occasional report of birds carrying it, and (thankfully rarer) reports of humans contracting it. We use DEET-based products if we're out when they're particularly bad; otherwise we deal with the occasional mosquito by mechanical means (a good swat ;o)

West Nile has hit southern California fairly hard, particularly the crows. We had large flocks of crows a couple of years ago, last year there were almost none. It has been quite a while since I have heard a crow.

Most pesticides that are used today contain chloride compounds. When they are airborne, they become dioxins, which are carcinogens - cancer causing agents. Plus, chlorine is a known hormone-disrupter linked to breast and prostate cancer.

Then there is the issue of environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Y'all, I going to digress from mosquitos to the larger issue of spraying in general. Hope you don't mind. I still hope to hear ideas on subjects relevant to mosquitos, too.

It's a small thing, when your neighbor's chemicals are wafting over your garden, to refrain from using chemicals in your own garden. But a big thing to act from principle.

I have been inspired by the example set by Henry Mitchell, that garden columnist par excellence for The Washington Post in the District of Columbia some years ago. He adored iris. At one time, he said that he grew about 500 different cultivars. He would take 2 weeks off from work just to admire the incredible rainbow they must have been when they bloomed and postponed any visiting or obligations or chores until after those two weeks. Well, he let them go - couldn't fight off the iris maggot on the scale of 500 cultivars without spraying and believed it to be more important to not spray than to grow all those iris with the attendant sprays.

So, Henry got his point about "environmental sustainability and social responsibility" across to me. I don't spray. If I can't grow a plant without spraying, I grow something else.

Ironically, he died from cancer in 1991, writing right up to a few hours before death about yellow crocus bashing the bricks of the path near which they grew to pieces.

One of the reasons why I like Salvia greggii so much!

Hmmm - would like to see that with red cypress vine, which did not germinate for me this spring - the bitty leaves of both sage and quamoclit would be just the answer for some black-purple leaved, apricot flowered canna.

Yes and, I liked what you said about crocus' bashing the bricks to pieces. Made me smile. :-)

Bluespiral and anyone else who is interested
This is a very personal story of why I went organic and why I agree that if it won't grow on it's own or with organic help it doesn't belong in my garden.
12 or so years ago we were living in S florida and I was very much into growing Orchids and thinking of starting a business.I grew a large number of Phalaenopsis mainly because the time from small seedling to bloom is very short and I was selling them at craft shows etc.I followed all the rules taught to me by the experts.This included a regime of spraying fungicide weekly.The fungicide of choice was Benolate.I don't know if any of you remember but somehow Benolate became contaminated and everything it had been spayed with died.This included veggie as well as orchids etc.I lost all of my Phalies (over 250 in various stages of growth.)The big guys got millions from Monstato I got zero but that is not the point.If it did such harm to the plants what kind of harm did it do to the people who used it?The same year my brother in law who lived in Israel and exported flowers for a living died of kidney cancer.I had visited him a few years before and he had proudly shown me his greenhouses where everything was computerized.All the spraying etc.Ofcourse I freaked and from that time on the only orchids that I grew were naturalized on trees (you can do this in Florida.I also started to grow things that did not have to be spayed in that climate.Heliconia and all that family gingers and ornamental bananas etc.also Bromiliads(air plants) and many others.Now that I live and garden in the Carolinas I am experimenting with the same thing;growing things that thrive in that area without alot of intervention,or only organic.I hope that I didn't bore you with this story but this subject is a very traumatic one for me and I feel very stongly about it.
Getting back to mosquitoes.I lived in west africa in the 70's and know first hand the horrors that they cause.Mosquitoes love me.Has anyone tried the new mosquitoe repellers that use propane gas?

downscale, your story is too harrowing to be boring. Also, I appreciate the reinforcement of what I know is right. And I don't think we can be reminded too many times of the cost of confusing the unknown with fact. Thank you for sharing it.

It is impossible for me to go out in my yard or garden without getting bitten at least twice. No matter what time of day I go out, the mosquitoes are out too.

I live next to a wooded area and although this year I cut down a lot of tree's around my house, had fill dirt brought in to more or less get rid of any holes or depressions in the ground where water could stand and become a nursery for more mosquitoes, I still have hundreds of mosquitoes flying around, constantly. My body is like a magnet to these things and no matter what I do, even spray myself with "Off" or some other "Mosquito Repelant", they still come after me. My eyes, nose, ears, and anything else I might have missed with the spray.

I have been wrapping my arms in saran wrap and then putting on a long sleeved shirt. Gloves, hat with a net around it and spraying myself to help. It seems to work untill it's time to take all that stuff off and come in the house. Then they fly off what I'm wearing and follow me in the house. Now I have them inside as well as outside.

When it's almost time to go to bed, I go into my bedroom, spray it with "Raid House & Garden Insect Killer", close the door, and wait about an hour before I go in and spray the top of the bedspread, sheet, pillow cases, and headboard, with "Off"

If I didn't like to garden so much, I'd stay inside all summer long.

Chemicals are illegal here as far as spraying for mosquitoes. However there is a product that I'm considering. It's mechanical and I think it might do the trick.

It's called: "SkeeterVac - Mosquito Exterminato"

It attracks, traps, and kills biting insects like mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies, no-see-ums, and biting midges.
It opperates on CO2 and Octenol, (an attractant)

Has anyone tried this?

Here is a picture of it.





This message was edited Jun 12, 2005 10:54 AM

Darrell, try doing a search on Amazon for mosquito magnets and read all the customer reviews on various machines. (There seem to be none for your unit.)

There has been previous discussion here on DG about mosquito control.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/233834/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/438344/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/500098/#new
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/444325/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/384438/

Also, you might try The Vinegar of the Four Thieves
The Vinegar of the Four Thieves is a super-strong insect repellent. It should be diluted with water to half strength if you spray it directly on your skin. This repellent can be used many ways. Splashed on your socks or shoes will discourage ticks, chiggers, and mites. An herbal cloth kept in your pocket and rubbed on your skin ever hour or so would be very beneficial during outdoor work or recreation. Or, a nightly bath with a little herbal vinegar and oil will keep it on your skin for many hours and could prove helpful for families who live in the country or while out on camping trips.

Vinegar of the 4 Thieves

* 2 quarts of apple cider vinegar
* 2 tablespoons lavender
* 2 tablespoons rosemary
* 2 tablespoons sage
* 2 tablespoons wormwood
* 2 tablespoons rue
* 2 tablespoons mint
* 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped garlic

Combine dried herbs (except garlic) and vinegar in a one-gallon jar with lid, and soak in the sun for 2 weeks, shaking often. Then strain out the used herbs, and retain the herbal liquid mixture. Add several cloves of crushed garlic, and close lid. Let soak for three days, and strain out the garlic fiber and discard. This liquid tincture needs to be stored in a cool place, like the refrigerator, or it can be preserved by canning. Fill canning jar with boiling liquid tincture to within one-half inch of top. Cap with rubber seal canning lid, tighten ring, and turn hot jar upside down; leave it undisturbed until it cools to room temperature. This will cause the jar to seal. Don’t forget to date and label it.

These herbs are available pre-mixed from The Bulk Herb Store, 1010 Pearl Road, Pleasantville, TN 37033. Write and ask for a free catalog at address above or visit www.bulkherbstore.com.

Above information from: http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=25&backPID=21&tt_news=85
There's quite an interesting story on that site about how this vinegar got it's name : )

Works on fleas, too?

Within the past month, I remember reading on a DG thread (I forget which) that putting a dryer anti-static sheet on your person (shirt pocket, belt loop, waist band, etc) works as a mosquito repellant.

YardenMan, that was mentioned on one of the thread links I posted above! I think it said to rub your arms and hands with it, too.

Mosquitoes are a problem here in the Tennessee Valley even though they spray. To assist with the problem, I recently installed a nice multiple apartment for Purple Martins. Then I read where the Mosquito flies low and the Martin flies high thereby missing the believed 47 times its weight dinner in mosquitoes. I do not know why I believed they could eat that many mosquitoes. It must have been an old tale of sorts. But all in all, they still catch many insects so I guess it is money well spent. Here it is in June and I have not attracted any Martins yet. I am considering lowering the rent but I have to consider the construction cost, advertising for families, etc.

:) Watching the skies....

exfed99, you said (I believe in an accidental choice of words) that you were assisting with the "problem". I believe you are, unknowingly.

It's a myth that PM's eat mosquitoes. What they DO eat is dragonfly, which are a documented eater of mosquitos. The myth was apparently a marketing ploy for PM houses many years ago, and has just persisted. Sorry.

Assisting in the solution is more plants that attract the dragonfly.

It's hard to decide what is best. I remember the mosquito trucks spraying when I was a kid, but not in years. I live just south of FtW, and we don't spray either. I'm glad because I have my own children now and try to avoid exposing them to unnecessary chemicals. But mosquitoes are highly attracted to me, so I end up having to use some sort of DEET product. I don't like to, but certain kinds just are not repelled by any of the Avon or other products. What can you do?

I also have those OFF lanterns that use a little wick and a candle. It puts off some sort of smoke, which is probably just about the same as the chemical trucks. But if I light them and let them burn for just a little while, then blow them out, the mosquitoes stay away. I place them where they wind does not blow the smoke in my direction, or in the direction of neighbors that are outdoors.

Citronella candles do nothing. I did buy a citronella plant tho. I don't know if these do anything either, but thought I could try rubbing the leaves on me. I have some sort of reaction to certain mosquitoes and they leave me itching all over and a big whelp where the bite is. It's miserable, but I refuse to stay inside! The evenings here are the only time when it's cool and enjoyable. So, currently I'm trying to take my B vitamins regularly, take an extra B1, and garlic to see if any of this helps repel them.

I just heard yesterday on the radio too that minced garlic repels them, so along with Cedarcide and Skeeter D'feeter, I'll throw out some garlic. Surely it will get rid of at least the cucumber beetles!

i just posted this info on another thread, but i will do it here too-seems more appropriate here. i just saw on a tv news segment about a new austrailian product called mosquitofree. i googled it and it looks pretty darn good and 1/20th the price of a mosquito magnet (which we had when we lived in the keys). anyway, might be worth looking into. living in the mangroves for 10 years, let me tell you, if the mosquito truck didnt come at least twice a week, you were on the phone wondering why! and you literally prayed for the mosquito plane which did a much better job and which the county foolishly sold! anyway, i hate no-see-ums worse than skeeters.