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Prevention is the single most important aspect of mosquito safety . Prevention is much easier than eradication .”
Although County and State programs that use larvacide and insecticide for mosquito control are vital for public health and for making summertime a little more comfortable in our common areas , parks and communities , the fact is that control sprays only work right where they land . If your municipality sprays your neighborhood by driving down the street with a truck , the likelihood that the larvicide or insecticide will reach your personal property is not very good . Given that mosquitos rarely stray more than 1200 feet from where they hatch , the mosquitos in your backyard will not be impacted by spray generated on your neighborhood streets . The most efficient application of insecticides and larvicides is at the source of reproduction ( under decks , patios , landscaping or other damp , shady areas on your property where water could pool ), so municipal sprays may be applied too far from where pesky mosquitoes prefer to live . Because mosquitoes like to hide under these places during the day , they might not be impacted by spraying that has already settled by the time they come out in the late afternoon or evening . Lastly , control sprays work best when applied to porous surfaces where the chemical won ’ t run off when it rains . Applications to non-porous surfaces such as roads , fences or siding will not impact mosquito populations .
Given that the municipal spraying may be vital to the park where your child attends camp but not so effective in your backyard , you may want to consider asking the advice of a local control company . These companies have an arsenal of sprays and other control methods at their disposal to make your summer safer and more comfortable .
Mosquito Joe uses a standard synthetic pyrethrum spray as an insecticide that is effective for up to 21 days after application . They also offer an all natural garlic and mint option , but it is effective for only one to two days .
While many people fear the impact insecticide chemicals might have on long-term human health , Kurt claims the insecticide he chose is the very best in the business and is less harmful than your daily dose of joe . “ If you have a cup of coffee in the morning or a Coke in the afternoon , you are at a higher risk for adverse health than if we spray your property with our proprietary insecticide ,” he says . “ It ’ s important to not let your children and pets play in areas where the insecticide is sprayed until it has dried ( about twenty minutes ), but after that , it safe . Think about when you scrub your kitchen floor . You aren ’ t going to let your dog lick up the detergent , but after it dries you certainly will let your family members go back to enjoying life .”
FINAL THOUGHTS Many of us have concerns about insecticides killing beneficial insects and pollinators . Kurt says that mosquito sprays will kill about 35 other insects including fleas , ticks and stinkbugs . It will not kill bees or butterflies if applied correctly . The all-natural option is safe for organic gardens and for all pollinators .
The decision to use mosquito spray is a personal one . These days , it ’ s common to wonder whether mosquito-born viruses or the chemical sprays we use to prevent them are more harmful to human health . Helpful resources for making this decision are the State of Maryland Department of Health website , the Mosquito Control Awareness Week website and the many videos and tutorials available on www . MosquitoJoe . com . At a minimum , you should actively work to make your property less hospitable to mosquitoes by eradicating all sources of standing water .
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GREENBOOK | SUMMER 2017