Appendix C
Additions
to the report: West Nile Virus
and Mosquito Control Practices http://skipper.physics.sunysb.edu/mosquito
NON-SPRAY
JURISDICTIONS - UPDATE - May, 2005
This Appendix-C is an
update of the December 2002 report.
The appendix shows additional
jurisdictions recently found to be using
non-spray adulticide policies and significant spray restrictions,
combined with a variety of non-toxic alternatives, compiled from web
sources.
Detailed descriptions are provided
below, and are marked as (+05) for the May 2005 updates.
The final page shows a composite
list, which encompasses both the recent and previously reported
non-spray jurisdictions. You may refer to the December 2002
report to see detailed descriptions of the one’s marked (02). The URL is http://skipper.physics.sunysb.edu/mosquito
Detailed descriptions
Adult mosquitoes are not sprayed.
The department does treat for mosquitoes; however,
adult mosquitoes are not sprayed. It has been shown that spraying for adult
mosquitoes is costly and not very effective. The program instead targets known
mosquito breeding sites. These sites are treated with larvicides to kill the
mosquitoes before they become biting adults. Environmentally friendly
chemicals, such as BTI, that target only mosquito larva are used.
http://bartholomewco.com/health/environmental-faq.html#5
- Black Hawk County, Iowa, June 2, 2005 (+05)
Health
officials ready for mosquito season
Mark Linda, a Black Hawk County
environmental health manager said that health officials will be using sentinel
chickens, and testing dead birds as surveillance for West Nile infections. They
will continue to apply larvacide in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Evansdale. The
larvacide is targeted at unborn mosquitoes and has been proven to work more
effectively than spraying. Regardless of
requests, Mr. Linda said, the county will hold firm on its decision not
to spray for adult mosquitoes.
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005/06/02/news/metro/f45418bcb3ca07a48625701400467741.txt
- Chapel Hill, N.C. - Public Works - Mosquito Control Website
(+05)
Does Chapel Hill Use Chemicals to Control
Mosquitoes?
No.
Adulticide chemicals are not used. The Town uses a biological
larvicide called “Bactimos” (Bti) to treat mosquito breeding grounds that
contain mosquito larvae. Mosquito larvae eat the Bti and die as the enzymes
destroy the mosquito larvae. However,
Bti does not affect humans, fish, plants or other aquatic wildlife.
http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/publicworks/mosquito_control.htm#Habitats
- Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina - Environmental Health Website (+05)
County Mosquito Control
Program
The program's mosquito control
philosophy is a preventive, long term one whereby they interfere or stop the
mosquito's life cycle before the bugs become biting adults capable of
transmitting disease and creating community nuisances. Public education
activities and extensive larviciding are performed, providing treatment or
elimination of standing water capable of supporting mosquito populations.
- Fairfax County, Va. - Health Dept - Mosquito
control website (+05)
Extensive larviciding
The Fairfax County environmental health staff has
taken a proactive approach in combating West Nile virus by treating over 60,000
storm drains with a larvicide, which inhibits mosquito breeding. More larvicide
treatments are scheduled to begin in June.
"Breaking the breeding cycle of mosquitoes
early in the season means fewer mosquitoes will survive to reproduce,"
said Jorge Arias, PhD, supervisor of the county's West Nile virus program. "The first round of larvicide treatments
that will cover most of the county should be completed by mid-June," said
Dr. Arias.
In the history of West Nile virus in Fairfax County,
particularly in the past three years the use of spray insecticides against
adult mosquitoes has not been necessary.
Publicity for removal of standing water, in five
languages:
The Health Department has produced educational
materials in five languages - Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese
- to inform residents about simple steps they can take to help reduce mosquito
populations around their homes.
"We're printing thousands of
these documents, and working diligently to get them into many population
segments
in the county," said Carl Sivertsen, community outreach coordinator for
the county's West
Nile virus
program.
The materials are also available and can be
downloaded from the Health Dept’s West Nile website.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd/fxhdpress03.htm
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd/westnile/wnvmosqcontrol.htm
6.
Fulton County (Atlanta area), Ga.
– County Health and Wellness website
(+05)
Catch basins are treated with larvicides in areas
with high populations of senior citizens. The county recommends use of Dunks,
and provides pick up of scrap tires to eliminate them as breeding sources. Homeowner check-lists and brochures are part
of their public information program.
The county’s policy restricts spraying to be done only if there were an
epidemic and an extreme rate of West Nile virus upon approval of the County
Board of Commissioners.
http://www.co.fulton.ga.us/Fulton_County/departments/Fulton_County_FAQ___West_Nile_Virus.pdf
7.
Hamilton County, (Cincinnati) Ohio - Environmental Health Division Website (+05)
What You Should Know About West Nile Virus and
Mosquitoes
Health
District sanitarians use the “dunks” type of larvicide and residents are also
instructed how to use them. Their public
information program includes brochures from the South West Area Regional
Mosquito Task Force (SWARM). “Drain,
Dunk and Protect” is their slogan for handling standing water, and personal
protection steps.
http://www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org/about/divisions/envhlth/wnv.htm
8.
Illinois –the University of Illinois and Seven towns: Champaign,
Urbana, Savoy, Danville, Mahomet, Homer and
Monticello July 12, 2004 (+05)
Towns
declare war on mosquitoes
The
University and seven Illinois towns use larvicides placed into breeding areas
to prevent the larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes. “We decided to kill them before they become
adults," said Savoy Village Manager, Dick Helton. The towns find this method to be a less
expensive technology than spraying. "We don't spray like some
communities do," said Barb Stiehl, Public Works Dept , Assistant
Director.
http://www.news-gazette.com/localnews/story.cfm?Number=16349
9. Lake Norman State Park, Catawba, North Carolina May. 25, 2005 (+05)
Taking the bite out of the
lake
Crews battling mosquito larvae on Lake Norman for Duke Power
know that the lake's biggest mosquito problems don't come from the lake, but
from standing water in boats, birdbaths, planters and puddles on the shore.
Those areas get treated with a larvicide called Bacillus thuringiensis
israelensis, or BTI (when the standing water can’t be emptied). Extensive testing has shown BTI to be
nontoxic for humans, posing no threat to wildlife and the environment. The crews also clear the lake of bait cups
and other debris that can trap water and breed mosquitoes. One member of the
crew said, "Everybody else calls it
trash, we call it (mosquito) source reduction." The program started in 1923, (82 years ago)
said Ken Manuel, the Duke Power scientist who oversees the program.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/states/north_carolina/counties/mecklenburg/11730780.htm - Charlotte Observer
Historic Note: Early larviciding methods employed in Panama
in 1904-1905 enabled construction of the canal to proceed, bringing malaria and yellow fever under
control. This led the Americans to succeed in building the canal, while prior
efforts by the French failed.
“Sanitary workers scoured the canal area looking for water sources where mosquitoes could breed. By spraying a thin film of oil on the water’s surface, they smothered any mosquito larvae that might be living there.”
Smithsonian Library http://www.sil.si.edu/Exhibitions/Make-the-Dirt-Fly/bugwar.html
In contrast to the crude oil used
in those early days, today’s larvicides are virtually non-toxic and
environmentally friendly. The activities for sanitation, clean-ups of standing
water, installing window screens, etc. then employed in Panama are practically
the same today.
- Louisiana -Three Towns: Church Point, Rayne and Crowley, La.,
(west of Baton Rouge) June 4, 2003 (+05)
Church Pt. won't join spraying program
At
its Tuesday meeting, the Church Point City Council approved a resolution for
removal of the town from a plan to spray for mosquitoes. Both Rayne and Crowley
(nearby towns in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area) are also excluded from the
parish mosquito spraying program.
Daily
World, Southern Louisiana
Publishing (newspaper)
11. Lyndhurst, Ohio 07/12/03 (Also Shaker Heights and Chagrin Falls, OH) (+05)
Spraying banned by Ordinance
The city banned the spraying of pesticides
(adulticides) to control mosquitoes, at the City Council’s July, 2003
meeting. Instead of spraying, Lyndhurst
will advise residents to eliminate standing water, the breeding ground for
mosquitoes. The city will continue to take advantage of the county's
larviciding and education programs. With its no-spray ordinance, Lyndhurst
joins Shaker Heights and Chagrin Falls, which had already chosen to not to
have pesticide spray trucks spraying their neighborhoods.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index/index.ssf 07/12/03 The Plain Dealer
- Milford, Connecticut, May
20, 2005, May 25, 2005 (+05)
Taking action to prevent West Nile
The Mayor of Milford, James Richetelli knows
the mosquito problem first-hand. As a teenager he had a job spraying for them. He recently stated to News Channel 8:
"Things have changed a lot since then. Back then we sprayed. We don't do
that anymore. We treat the marshes."
The town hires All Habitat Services to spread larvacide in places where
water collects. Milford Health Director
Dennis McBride said "Real mosquito control takes place at the larval
stage. The point is to get them before they get in the air." The city used to spray years ago, but
spraying has since become politically and environmentally incorrect. "This is more effective than
spraying," McBride added. And
residents need to check and empty standing water around their own property for
the program to be successful, officials said.
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=3372990&nav=3YeXa7U9 News Channel 8
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1347&dept_id=432990&newsid=14585735&PAG=461&rfi=9
Milford Mirror
- Oakland County, Mich. February 5, 2003 (+05)
"Fight the bite, but do it right" campaign
The county pledged $500,000 to help community
mosquito programs, but with restrictions. The county will help pay for biological
treatments (larviciding) of mosquito eggs before they hatch or very focused
spraying of mosquito-breeding areas. The
county will not provide funding to communities for general (adulticide)
spraying programs. "We don't support that for public health reasons,"
said George Miller, manager of the county's health division. Oakland County's
plan includes catchy phrases such as "Fight the bite, but do it
right" as well as detailed information about the places mosquitoes like to
breed -- old tires, birdbaths and wheelbarrows.
http://www.freep.com/news/locoak/dnile5_20030205.htm DETROIT FREE PRESS
- Porter, Indiana (Also, Chesterton, In.) June 25, 2003 (+05)
Porter council decides to
forego mosquito spraying
The Porter Town Council decided Tuesday night that
the risks of spraying to eliminate mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus
outweigh any benefits.
Council member Jennifer Granat said the best method for now is education -
making sure homeowners keep their property and gutters free of stagnant pools
where the insects breed, frequently refilling birdbaths and keeping water in
ornamental ponds clean, filtered and circulating. Councilman Mike Liebert said he had talked
with two Illinois towns about their results with spraying. "It just doesn't work,"
he said. Granat also said that Chesterton, Ind. and many
other area communities have chosen not to spray. "The pesticides don't
discriminate between the good insects and the bad insects," she said.
http://www.post-trib.com/cgi-bin/pto-story/news/z1/06-25-03_z1_news_15.html
15.
Westchester County, N.Y. May 25,
2005, May 28, 2005
(+05)
County
resumes West Nile virus mosquito control
(for 2005)
The
combined efforts of residents and county government over the past few years
have curbed the mosquito population, keeping human cases of West Nile virus low
and eliminating the need to spray pesticides.
County
Executive Andrew Spano said:
“Larviciding, mosquito breeding-ground clean-up
events and public education campaigns are a few of the things that the County is
doing. However, these activities alone
are not enough. It is important that residents do their part to help us fight
West Nile virus.”
Residents
participated in the county’s “Spring S.T.I.N.G. Clean-Up” event, which is an
organized effort to fight West Nile virus by ridding Westchester’s communities
of potential mosquito breeding sites. Old tires, which are popular
mosquito breeding sites, can be brought to Westchester Community College for
recycling, said the county executive.
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/WN_WC-26May05.htm
16.
Westerly, Rhode Island, May 6, 2005 (+05)
Chapman swamp treated with mosquito
larvicide
The
Rhode Island state Department of Environmental Management announced that
mosquito larvicide will be dropped by helicopter over about 500 acres of
Chapman's Swamp in Westerly. This is the eighth year that Westerly has used the
Bti larvicide, which is applied in granular form to prevent larval mosquitoes
from developing into adults. The Dept.
stated that the Bti larvicide "is extremely safe from both an
environmental and human health standpoint." The larvicide has been recommended by the DEM
for combating the West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Most communities apply the larvicide by hand
into roadside ditches and catch basins, as recommended.
The
Providence Journal http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi
Non-spray programs
in other countries:
Canada
– Vancouver: June 13, 2003 (+05)
17.
Vancouver makes
decision in combating West Nile Virus
Following presentations to Council’s Planning and
Environment Committee by mosquito expert Dr Michael Jackson and SPEC researcher
Kyla Tienhaara, Councillor David Cadman introduced a
motion that Vancouver not use adulticides and rely instead on
natural predators and biological larvicides. This would be coupled with a
public education campaign focused on preventive measures.
Yesterday’s decision by Vancouver City Council to
not use toxic adulticides on West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes, is safer for
the environment and for human health.
http://www.spec.bc.ca/spec/pressrel/June13%2003%20WNV.htm
- Canada - Seven Jurisdictions: March 29, 2003
(+05)
No itch to spray for West
Nile
Even with the West Nile virus hazard, municipalities
surrounding Edmonton have no plans to start spraying their communities with
pesticide.
St. Albert hasn't sprayed for mosquitoes in 20 years.
Strathcona County hasn't sprayed for over a decade.
Other municipalities with non-spray programs: Morinville,
Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Devon, and
Spruce Grove.
In other areas such as Toronto, authorities will use
aggressive larvicide programs in the spring.
The
Edmonton Journal http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/archives/
- China, Beijing April 7, 2005 (+05)
Eliminating breeding
grounds, as advance preparation for 2008 Olympics
Professor Tongyan Zhao of the Beijing Institute of
Microbiology and Epidemiology said that
with a series of measures and persuading people to be aware of
mosquito-breeding grounds, the number of insects can be reduced without
pesticides. In addition to a
program for eliminating the usual wet areas in neighborhoods and businesses
such as tire and recycling facilities, they are adopting a practice of removing
the roots after cutting bamboo to correct a local source of water-holding
receptacles that breed mosquitoes.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050407/BCMOSQ07/TPNational/Canada
20.
Hong Kong, China - May 28, 2005 (+05) (Also announced June 19, 2004)
Prevention: Anti-mosquito efforts stepped up
From January to April, a number of weekly
anti-mosquito and clean-up operations were conducted to remove potential
mosquito breeding grounds. And today operations were stepped-up. Staff was supplemented by contractors’
workers taking part. These operations include clearing stagnant water, filling
tree holes and bamboo stumps, and removing debris. For any stagnant water
that could not be eliminated immediately, larvicidal oil is applied to control
mosquito larvae.
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/050528/html/050528en05004.htm
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ppr_release_det.php?pd=20040619&ps=06
21. Vietnam - 09-Feb-2005, May 25, 2005 (+05)
A Natural Larvicide
(Mesocyclops)
Professor Brian Kay (Royal Brisbane Hospital, Au.)
and Vu Sinh Nam (Ministry of Health, Vietnam) led the effort to protect people
from dengue fever in Vietnam thanks to the implementation of a non-toxic
strategy to control mosquitoes in the country.
Targeting containers that produce the most mosquito larvae, their
strategy involves inoculating large water storages with crustaceans called
Mesocyclops, which feed on mosquito larvae.
Community education and activities, such as the collection of discarded
containers, also formed an important part of the strategy. No cases of dengue fever have been reported
in any of those villages since 2002. In
May, 2005, this larval control was extended to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The announcement stated that the tiny predator, a
marine creature named Mesocyclops, can eat and kill hundreds of mosquito larvae
a day that breed in water containers and other standing pools.
Lancet Newswise
http://thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=6905
NON-SPRAY JURISDICTIONS
May, 2005
Below is
a list of jurisdictions found to be using non-spray adulticide policies and significant spray
restrictions, combined with a variety of non-toxic alternatives, compiled
from web sources.
This is a composite list which
encompasses both the recent and previously reported non-spray
jurisdictions.
Jurisdictions added to the list
during the May 2005 update, are marked below as (+05). You may refer to the December 2002
report to see detailed descriptions of the one’s marked (02). The URL is: http://skipper.physics.sunysb.edu/mosquito
Listed alphabetically: