July 28, 2006
Campaign Against Mosquitoes Launches
Thanks to Daily Candy, we've learned about another plastic bangle cousin of LIVESTRONG and Save Darfur. A teal blue one that supports "Mosquito Control Awareness." DCist says it's about time those blood suckers were controlled -- especially the little bastards that come home to the Washington region in these humid months. And what better time than Mosquito Control Awareness Week?
Back in June, we forecasted that they would come in herds, like tourists from the Midwest -- except the mosquitoes seem to itch more. The next time we shake our fists at the feisty devils, let it be with a blue silicone bracelet around our wrists. We call this bucks well-spent, plus shipping is free! And whether or not the Washington swamp legend is true, it's as if AMCA (just the American Mosquito Control Association) wrote this cute little book, "The Summer The Town Bit Back" about us.
(True, the bracelets don't immediately cure the bites per se, but let's think about the longterm benefits.)
Broadcast to all local mosquitoes, or apparently just femme mosquitoes : Listen up. No more planting your proboscis into our fat thighs, and thinking you can run away with our sweet blood in your abdomens. We're tired of people thinking our body acne is still an issue.
|
As a former inspector for the NY State Department of Health (Rockland County), I'd like to offer some simple tips for keeping away those pesky skeeters this summer:
1. Get rid of any and all standing water.
Even the the smallest amount of water (in an old tire, or bird bath) can turn into a breeding ground those little bloodsuckers. Dump the water or add a touch of gasoline or bleach in order to prevent mosquitos from laying eggs.
2. Speaking of standing water REPORT IT. If you've got a neighbor with a disused pool or tarp, kindly ask them to take care of it or dump it, as their scrap heap may be the cause of all that redness on your arms and legs.
3. Candles. Mosquito candles and coils can be found at any halfway decent supermarket or home and garden store. If you have a burning desire to be posted up on the porch or in the backyard, make sure to bring one out.
4. Insect screens (or keep the doors shut. Mosquitos, like burglars, will soil the sanctity of your home. Use a little common sense to keep these and other critters out.
Word up...
speaking from experience, K is right all the way. there are many ways we can work to abate mosquitoes without waging chemical warfare. i worked with people in the mosquito abatement commission of the county i live in in michigan, and the unfortunate mantra there was chemicals, chemicals, and more chemicals. it's reallly sad, because the chemicals' effect on other biota is not fully tested. for example, an unauthorized chemical spray led to the death of hundreds of frogs in the lake on my parent's property. is it worth killing everything else off in order to have fewer mosquitoes? of course not.
Most mosquito spraying programs focus on killing the larvae, and use a microbial biocide, generally Bacillus thuringiensis. This bacteria is deadly for mosquitos and only mosquitos. It poses no danger to humans or their pets, or even insects other than mosquitos. You can buy a solid form of it in hardware and gardening stores by asking for "mosquito dunks". It works and, best of all, it kills them before they become flying disease vectors/pests. Put some in your gutters and ground drains today!