Pesticides and Mosquito Protection

 

“Pesticide” is an umbrella term that includes—but is not limited to—insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Each year in the United States, more than a billion pounds of pesticides are applied across home gardens, parks, and farms to manage unwanted weeds, insects, diseases and other “pests”. The majority of pesticides used are “broad-spectrum” meaning they kill broadly. Contamination resulting from the extensive use of pesticides has been tied to the decline of species important to ecosystems, including pollinators.

The vast majority of invertebrates serve vitally important roles in a healthy environment, including controlling pests, pollinating flowering plants, and providing food for other wildlife. Only a very small number of invertebrates are pests. Yet, the pesticides designed to control unwanted plants and animals rarely distinguish between beneficial invertebrates and those which cause harm. All too often pesticides cause unintended consequences and disrupt the natural systems that sustain us. But, because pesticides are valued for their toxicity to pests, the risks they pose are often accepted⁠—even when healthier, more sustainable options are available.

While pesticides are designed to eradicate unwanted living organisms, they kill or harm far more species than the ones being targeted – including humans. In addition, they poison water and soil. “Pesticides” is an umbrella term for conventional and organic chemicals intended to kill plants, fungus, insects, rodents and more. While the widespread destruction they cause is often accepted as the cost of doing business, we all must act to reduce or eliminate their use. They are causing irreparable harm to ecosystem function and the health of many species, including our own.

  • Most pesticides kill insects indiscriminately
  • Herbicides kill the plants that beneficial insects depend on
  • Pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers: 
    • Poison ground dwelling bees
    • Seep into waterways and damage aquatic life 
    • Disrupt the healthy below ground relationships among plants, fungi, insects and microbes  
    • Many last for years in soil and plants

More information on pesticides and mosquito protection:

– Understanding Pesticides & Their Risks from Xerces
– How to Talk to Your Neighbors About Pesticides from Xerces
– Dr. Sarah Evans on Lawn and Garden Chemicals and Our Children’s Health
– Emily May from Xerces on the “Effects of Pesticides on Pollinators and Wildlife – Building a Healthy Garden Ecology 
– Pesticides can harm pets, too. The Humane Society on cancer in dogs
– Beyond Pesticides has in depth information on the harms of pesticides, as well as a thorough list of recommendations to avoid toxic chemicals when controlling yard, garden, and home pests
– Xerces explains systemic pesticides (neonicotinoids and more) and why it’s so important to keep them out of our gardens
– Clear evidence that neonics are to blame for monarch decline 

Managing Mosquitoes
We can avoid some of the effects of pesticides by not using them. However, most states have some form of widespread insect control programs, especially for mosquitoes. In Massachusetts, spraying is done regionally, either by mosquito control boards or by the state, as determined by the prevalence of mosquitoes and the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases. One may apply to exclude one’s private property from a spraying program (see below for details on how to opt out). Below are sites which discuss many aspects of the quest to control mosquitoes. Most programs using wide-area spraying are based on ineffectual methods and inaccurate assumptions about mosquitoes themselves. All of these programs do damage to other beings, from insects, fish, bats, and birds (which are themselves major sources of natural mosquito control) to humans. The spray programs usually employ some form of Pyrethroids, created to interfere with the nervous systems of insects but which can also impair cognition and behavior in other animals, including humans. 

The ecological role of mosquitoes
Why Do Mosquitoes Exist? and What Are Mosquitoes Useful for? 

Mosquito control at home
– Xerces information on: Conservation Biological Control, how to keep your garden and yard pesticide-free, and Mosquito and Tick Control: How to Keep Your Family Safe Without Poisoning Your Yard
– Do Mosquito Control Programs Make You Safer? – Bee City USA  
– Did you know there are simple things like running oscillating fans and wearing long clothing that will help keep mosquitoes away? Here is an excellent explanation for why mosquitoes bite and how to keep them at bay while not harming other insects.
– The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on “Preventing Mosquito Bites”. It has some good information but also recommends some toxic repellents.
– An interview with Nancy Lawson on sensible and safe ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes, including info on mosquito dunks.

Wide area spraying
– Opt out of Massachusetts wide area spraying
– Learn more about state mosquito control  
– Learn more about past efforts to pass an Ecologically Sound Mosquito Control bill here (it’s from a previous legislative session but the information is valid)
– The MASSQuito Coalition has information answering most questions about mosquito issues in Massachusetts, including the very informative legislative updates
– Xerces on how to help your community create an effective mosquito management plan

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