With the Zika virus on consumers’ minds, mosquito-spraying companies are inundating the Washington, D.C., area with flyers and ads, but experts say there’s not much to go on to determine how effective they are.
“Without knowing exactly what a commercial business is utilizing and at what intensity they’re utilizing their methods, there’s no way to give you a definitive answer as to how effective it is,” said Dr. Vito Delvento, of the D.C. Department of Health.
When it comes to spraying your yard, the chemicals can harm more than just mosquitoes, Delvento warned.
“They may be pesticide-related chemicals, and they may also be natural, organic-type chemicals, but in either case, there’s no way to target just the specific mosquito,” he said. “So when we do spraying, you're inadvertently hurting all insects that are in the wave of the spray zone. You’re affecting amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and certainly all other insects.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says before hiring a company to spray your yard for mosquitoes make sure it's licensed, associated with a professional pest control association and has proof of insurance.
Experts agree removing standing water will reduce the mosquito population, preventing larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes, which means dumping standing water around the home like pet bowls and birdbaths and using mosquito dunks, which kill mosquito larvae before they're old enough to bite. Experts say that's the most effective way to keep your family safe.
Health
“The larval stage does not carry the viruses,” Delvento said. “Only the adult stage will have the virus and only the adult mosquito has the ability to transmit it from person to person.”
