MOSQUITO ALERT

Are you considering whether to use pesticides for mosquito control?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control, integrated pest management techniques are more effective than using pesticides to control mosquitoes. The single most important step that you can take: eliminate standing water, which provides a habitat in which mosquitoes can breed. In many situations, an electric fan can be used to create a breeze that will keep adult mosquitoes away. These simple techniques can reduce or eliminate the need to use pesticides.

If you do decide to use pesticides, always read the entire label and carefully follow all directions. The pesticides most commonly used in fighting mosquitoes are pyrethrin and its synthetic version, permethrin. These chemicals can be harmful to humans, pets, fish, birds and beneficial insects such as honey bees and lady bugs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that people using pyrethrin or permethrin take the following precautions:

• Read the label and follow all directions
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing
• Avoid breathing vapor or mist
• Wash hands after spraying the pesticides
• Keep pets and people away when spraying
• Do not apply directly to water
• Do not apply to blooming crops or weeds

If you are considering an outdoor residential mosquito misting system, you can find information about their effectiveness and safety here:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/misting_systems.htm

Remember, always read the label and follow directions. If symptoms of overexposure occur after applying a pesticide, call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.