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Recent
West Nile Virus cases in Nebraska have resulted in questions
from acreage owners and farmers about treating acreages or farmsteads
for adult mosquitoes. In general, this type of treatment alone
will take much effort with limited results unless treatments
are repeated every day or two. Treating standing water or ponds
with a larvicide, like Bacillus thuringiensis will be
more helpful.
The
most sensible and inexpensive way to prevent mosquito bites
is to use an insect repellent, containing DEET (diethyl-toluamide).
Products containing DEET are available in many concentrations
that range from liquids to aerosols. It is even possible to
purchase moist towelettes containing DEET that can be put in
backpack, purse or glove box, just for emergencies. Be sure
to read and follow label directions when using personal repellents.
It
is legal for a acreage owner or farmer to apply general-use
pesticide for adult mosquitoes on their private property. However,
persons must be certified and licensed by the Department of
Agriculture under certain conditions.
They
need to be certified and licensed if:
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they are hired to apply insecticide for adult mosquitoes
in private or public areas or,
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they apply Restricted Use Pesticides or,
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they apply insecticides for adult mosquitoes as a condition
of their employment
For
more information about pesticide certification and licensing,
contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program
at: 402-471-2394.
The
following information about controlling adult mosquitoes comes
from the Environmental Protection Agency. Because most adult
mosquito control is done by municipalities, it is written for
that audience, but the information also applies to successful
adult mosquito control on acreages and farmsteads.
"For
adult control to be successful, insecticides must be applied
under proper environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and
wind) and at the time of day when the target species is most
active. The applicator must apply pesticides with carefully
calibrated equipment that generates the proper-sized insecticide
droplets that will impinge on adult mosquitoes while they are
at rest or flying. If the droplets are too large, they will
fall to the ground. If they are too small, the prevailing winds
will carry them away from the target area. Once the insecticide
spray mist dissipates, insecticides will break down in the environment
(generally within 24 hours) producing little residual effect.
Depending on the situation, insecticides can be applied from
spray equipment mounted on trucks, airplanes or helicopters.
All insecticides used in the U.S. for public health use have
been approved and registered by the EPA following the review
of many scientific studies. The EPA has assessed these chemicals
and found that, when used according to label directions, they
do not pose unreasonable risk to public health and the environment."
Links:
Mosquito
Update for Nebraska - 2002 Update
Nebraska Department of Agriculture databases. For help
in finding information on pesticides listed for mosquito control
in Nebraska, visit the Nebraska Department of Agriculture databases
of registered pesticides. The database even allows you to narrow
your search "by pest" - in this case "adult mosquito".
Visit HERE.
Nebraska
Health and Human Services System - includes information
on submitting birds
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's site
For
more information on West Nile and Mosquito Control:
 Return
to Flies, Gnats and Mosquitos
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