(The following is for informational purposes only. No endorsement is made by either Ocean-Beach.com or any of its employees.)

Seeking Alternatives For the Environment

S.A.F.E. is dedicated to working with citizens, environmental groups, and community leaders to educate the public on the adverse health effects of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other petro-chemical agents in common use today.

S.A.F.E. originated in 1994 in Buffalo and is instrumental in creating and implementing successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. These programs utilize regular monitoring and record keeping to determine if and when treatments are needed. IPM employs organic and/or the least toxic strategies to keep pest numbers low enough to prevent unacceptable damage or annoyance. S.A.F.E. is committed to sustainable solutions for the home, landscape and property for now and future generations. Your non-toxic choices protect the health and safety of children, families, water, air, environment and all living species.

PLAYING IT S.A.F.E. WITH MOSQUITOES

 The name is Spanish for “little fly.” There are over 3,000 different kinds of mosquitoes and a worldwide population of 100 trillion! They are ectoparasites of people and animals.

Mosquitoes can fly up to 10 mph, dart between raindrops and fly backwards. They are not strong flies. A fan is able to blow them away. Flight and biting activity increases over 500% on full moon nights.

Only female mosquitoes bite, usually around dusk and dawn. They home in on body warmth, odor, moisture and carbon dioxide. They require a “blood meal” of protein in order to lay eggs which are  usually deposited in stagnant or slow
moving water. Even a tablespoon of water in a flower pot will do. The eggs hatch, become swimming larvae, then pupae and finally flying adults. Mosquito larvae are an important source of food for certain fish and the adults are eaten by birds, bats, dragonflies and other animals.

For humans and animals, mosquitoes are a nuisance and a health hazard.
 

THE COST

There are more than 700 million people each year that are infected by mosquito-borne diseases. 3 million people die. The U.S. and  Canada spend $150 million on poisons each year trying to control the mosquito. The public spends even more on repellents, insecticides and screens.

Most controls use very dangerous synthetic pesticide poisons that kill or injure non-target species. Adult populations are being attacked which actually increase immediately after these toxins are sprayed. This is because mosquitoes can replenish faster than natural predators such as dragonflies, fish, frogs, water bugs, bats, spiders, birds, ants, backswimmers, snails, water scorpions and striders. In addition, there are increases in tree pests because the adult mosquito pesticide poisons are broad spectrum killers that kill the organisms that keep forest pest population under natural control.

We are moving to less toxic means such as Bti products like Mosquito Dunks. These are floating tablets, placed in stagnant water, which release Bti slowly killing mosquito larvae as they ingest. These larvicides are an effective less toxic method.

It is important to remove the cause rather than treat the symptoms. Proper integrated pest management control includes the removal of stagnant water, the wise use of repellents and proper clothing, the use of fans, and the development of natural predators such as those listed above.
 

THE SOLUTION

Source Reduction:

No standing water, means no mosquitoes. By filling, deepening, draining, ditching, managing water levels, maintaining shorelines, managing aquatic and inundated vegetation we may better control the 3 of the 4 stages of mosquitoes, eggs, larvae and pupae, all of which need water. Ditching controls mosquitoes by draining water out of potential breeding sites and allowing fish access to the isolated pools where they prey upon larvae and pupae. Ponding turns temporary pools into permanent ones capable of supporting fish and other mosquito predators.

Mechanical Controls:
Screening of doors, windows and vents.

The use of fans, long sleeves, long pants, hats and veils give additional protection. Wear light colors and prints. (Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, CO2 & sweat).

Plant scented geraniums or citrosa plants, lemon thyme, citronella grass, common marigold, tomato, eucalyptus, sweet basil, tansy and/or sassafras by gardens, walks, doors, windows, decks, pools and patios to help repel mosquitoes.

Candles - Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide/light and are killed by the flame.

Spray area with garlic or lemon oil with water and a touch of dishwashing liquid

MosquitoContro is a sonic repeller using dragonfly and male mosquito wing beat frequencies. $15-$25 at 1-800-669-0987.

Repellents:

Use on skin one or more of soybean or cedar oil, Skin-So-Soft by Avon, oils of citrosa, coconut, birch, lantana camara, neem, blue stem grass, rosemary, yarrow, spearmint, menthol, crushed lemon thyme leaves, sweet basil citronella, cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, or eucalyptus. Garlic repellents can last for several hours. Buzz Away by Quantum, Kiss Off from Kiss My Face, Green Ban from Mulgum Hollow Farm, Natrapel by Tender Corp. and Bite Blocker are all made from one or more of the above listed extracts. Menthol will also repel ticks.

(DEET should not be used on children. The EPA announced new restrictions in April 98 that DEET cannot be labeled as child safe - they are allowing 50 months for compliance. See www.gov/pesticides/citizens/deet.htm)

Bathe regularly with unfragranced soap or peppermint.

Cultivate Natural Predators:
Cultivate bat, dragonfly, damselfly, praying mantis, toads, birds, and fish populations that prey on mosquitoes. A mouse eared bat can eat 600 mosquitoes a minute. A dragonfly can fly up to 30mph and eat
up to 100 mosquitoes in one forage.

Stock a pond with fish such as goldfish and freshwater minnows (Gambusia affinis). they both eat mosquito larvae. Check for local regulations.
 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Increase water flow and decrease water surface area. Improve natural drainage.
Clean eaves, troughs and gutters.
Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed to eliminate cool hiding places.
Turn over or remove plastic pots, buckets and tin cans. Cover trash containers.
Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water in pockets. 
Pump out bilges on boats.
Pick up all beverage containers and cups and plates as well as plastic food wrappers.
Replace water in birdbaths or bottom of plant containers at least once a week.
Check plants that may collect water in axils, where the leaves join the stem.
Check holes in trees or stumps or low spots that may collect water, remove stumps, plug holes with sand or cement.
Fix dripping outdoor faucets or pipes that create pools of water and air conditioner drain outlets.
Turn on fans to blow them away.
Spray areas with garlic or lemon oil.
Wear light colored clothing.
Wear repellents.
Plant repellents.
Use screens.

Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date pest management information for New York State in this publication. Changes in pesticide regulations thus occur constantly, and human errors are still possible. These recommendations are not a substitute for pesticide labeling. Before using any product, chemical, or pesticide, read carefully, understand, and follow strictly any instructions on the product label. The above information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither Ocean-Beach.com nor any employees of Ocean-Beach.com have verified the correctness of any information contained herein.

 

 Revised: 11/09/2002