Mosquito Spraying - Is it Dangerous For Human Health?

Mosquito spraying is a common method to repel and prevent these pesky little insects. Use of mosquito repellent sprays is widely recognized to stop breeding of these small flying insects. A mosquito repellent spray includes chemicals that spread over regions, where people tend to reside. As a result, a lot of questions arise from time to time.

You may also be wondering about pesticides used in these sprays. Can they affect your family and pets? If you have such questions to be answered, then have a close look at the article.

Mosquito Spraying-Know How the Method Goes

Mosquito spraying is normally done using the mounted fogging units. These are units which apply insecticides as an ULV or ultra-low-volume spray. These fogging components dole out fine drops of aerosol, which stays aloft and kill mosquitoes on contact.

The total amount of insecticide used in mosquito spraying is not that huge as compared to the area it generally treats. Generally, 3 to 5 ounces is used per acre that minimizes the risks and exposure to the environment and the people.

Many a times, thermal foggers are used for mosquito spraying. In this method, oil carriers are used which are heated to disperse pesticide out of it that takes a form of dense smoke like fog. During the process of mosquito spraying, mosquitoes within the area get killed. Though the local mosquito population is somewhat reduced for few days, but fogging can't prevent mosquitoes from entering the area again.

Products Used In Mosquito Spraying

Synthetic Pyrethroid insecticides (like Anvil and Scourge), Pyrethrins and Malathion are some of the normally used items in mosquito spraying. The pyrethrins refer to insecticides which are derived from chrysanthemum flower extracts.

Pyrethroids are basically human-made forms of pyrethrins. Both act as contact poisons that affect the nervous system of the insect. However, use of pyrethroids and pyrethrins do not pose unreasonable risks to the human health.

In times of some high dosage, pyrethroids can affect the human nervous system which can lead to coughing, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, running nose etc. As far as the environment and the wild life are considered, use of these two insecticides does not cause any kind of unreasonable risks.

In terms of health risks, these insecticides are low in toxicity to mammals and virtually harmless to the birds. But they are poisonous to bees and birds. That's the reason why, the Environment Protection Agency has prohibited mosquito spraying to the open water or about 100 feet of rivers, bays, streams and lakes.

CDC Recommendations and Tests

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended using those products which have been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being safe for both environment and people and as being effective in killing mosquitoes. You should always look for mosquito repellents bearing an indication that it is EPA-approved.

CDC Recommendations on Ingredients

Most ingredients used in the mosquito sprays are registered with the EPA. However, the CDC has concluded 2 out of the other ingredients to include higher efficiency in terms of longevity and effectiveness than the rest. These 2 ingredients include Picaridin (KBR 3023) and DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).

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