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Mosquitoes

I have held off getting up on my soapbox on this issue since last summer.  Let me stress that these  very strong opinions are mine.

Being a gardener and working in a garden center, I have had not only the opportunity to read many labels but the benefit of discussing issues with other gardeners as well as some experts in various fields.

Here is some of the stuff I've been reading and hearing:

   Resmethrin should never be applied over lakes and waterways.  I recall this is the product being sprayed last year in Rhode Island!

   There are approximately 59 species of mosquitoes in the Connecticut and Rhode Island area.  Only one species carries the West Nile virus!

   95 % of all bugs are beneficial.  The permethrins being sprayed are not selective.  The "good" bugs are being killed as well!

   The larvacide being applied to lakes in the Connecticut region, also kills dragonfly larva.  Dragonflies are a natural enemy of the mosquito!

   The chance of a human contracting the West Nile Virus is at least 1 in a million! (how many people live in the town you live in that's being sprayed?)

   The people most at risk are infants, the elderly, and those with low immune systems!

    To date, New York state has found 164 birds carrying the West Nile virus.  New York state has had 1 fatality this year - an 88 year old gentleman.

    Doctors and nurses at Connecticut's Stamford Hospital were filing petitions against overall spraying!

I would not consider the West Nile virus to be in epidemic proportions.  However, I do believe Lyme disease and other tick borne viruses are.  Another danger is the recluse spider-it looks like those huge brown wood spiders but it is white or beige and not quite as large.

I am terrified of  the impact pesticides have on our future and more importantly our children's future. 

Remember, only 5% of all the bugs out there are bad.

8/15/00