New spray may help combat mosquito issue
In the summer, people often hear about the scare for developing West Nile virus, a health disease passed on by mosquitoes. The condition can cause people to become significantly ill, which is why so many people are afraid to catch it. However, it can be hard to protect yourself all the time from the ever-present mosquito. Luckily, pesticides may be able to help.
Beginning in 1956 and possibly earlier, scientists realized they may be able to control mosquito populations by spraying chemical pesticides in neighbourhoods or on people's property, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency noted. Yet citizens began to grow concerned when they realized how potent these chemicals were. Pesticides often tend to kill off more than the intended enemy – they can also affect beneficial bugs as well as larger animals like birds. The common pesticide used is known as malathion, but it recently has been shamed for killing large populations of Monarch butterflies that make their annual trip north in the warmer months of the year.
A new product
Scientists recently found a way to protect the environment and people from West Nile virus and biting mosquitoes. The new pesticide formula is known as DeltaGuard, and it was approved for use in the U.S. in the spring. In early June, states such as South Dakota decided to use the spray to kill off mosquitoes in popular summer destinations, including a well-known bike trail, according to KDLT News. After the product was tested, researchers realized that it was effective on mosquitoes but not harmful on humans at all.
Currently, every time pesticides are sprayed to kill mosquitoes, there is a zone that people can spray in. The zone must have a buffer so that the chemicals cannot float in the air and reach homes or communities in the area. This process can be particularly tricky in more confined metropolitan spaces such as Brooklyn, which usually advises its residents to keep their doors and windows closed until further notice just to be safe.
Luckily, these buffer zones may be a thing of the past with the development of products such as DeltaGuard. The U.S tested the product for several years in many communities to determine if it was safe around residents. Two of the areas they tested included North and South Dakota. Now the product is being tested in Winnipeg in Canada, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. The researchers behind the product are hopeful it will have the same positive effects it did in the U.S.
In Canada, residents can put out a buffer zone of 90 meters to make sure that the pesticides do not reach their house during the fogging process. Cities and towns are always supposed to inform residents well in advance of the fogging so they can submit a buffer zone request if they would like.
Decreasing buffer zones
While buffer zones may not completely go away, they may be significantly reduced, according to Ken Nawolsky, Winnipeg's insect control superintendent.
"Before it even becomes registered in Canada, the province will have an idea of what will be the buffer zone, will they change, will they not change," Nawolsky said. "That evaluation will be going on in the next year."
If all goes well, Canadians may see more of this product by 2017. Despite being environmentally friendly, small amounts of DeltaGuard can cover vast communities without trouble compared to malathion. However, its expansive nature does come at a cost. The price of DeltaGuard is about three times the cost of malathion, so cities and towns may want to use this product as sparingly as they can.
Both malathion and DeltaGuard are used to kill adult mosquitoes, meaning they will have no effect on larvae.
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About The Author
Susan Massie, Sales & Marketing Director, Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals Email: sue@greyhoundchrom.com
Susan Massie is the Sales & Marketing Director for Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals, affectionately known as 'Greyhound' in our scientific community. Greyhound was founded by Susan's husband Paul Massie more than 40 years ago, Susan hasn't been in the business for all of that time but has been involved with Greyhound for over 19 years. Greyhound continues to grow, expanding into new markets and taking on the challenges of our ever changing environment. It's heartwarming to witness the world waking up to the fact that we are damaging our planet on a daily basis. Every action we take has a direct effect on our planet and the world we leave behind for future generations. Susan is passionate about climate change and is happy to work in an industry that can have a direct effect on reducing the impact of our actions on the environment. All of the team at Greyhound take our responsibilities very seriously, the products that we supply are used by the world's leading scientists and chemists as they endeavour to monitor and repair the environment. All is not lost, if we all take responsibility for our actions, from reducing our waste and reusing or recycling our material collateral we can make a difference. The internet is full of useful advice and guidance, Susan is proud to contribute to that wealth of knowledge whenever she can.
Greyhound prides itself on personal service which provides prompt, efficient, cost-effective, safe delivery of all products. Greyhound provides technical advice and distribution of Certified Reference Standards and Materials, Laboratory Consumables, Solvents and Reagents across all scientific disciplines. Greyhound Chromatography offers over 1 Million products from its UK warehouse. The team at Greyhound are proud to support the work of the world's leading scientists and chemists as they challenge the abuse of our planet and try to make a difference to the world we leave behind for our ancestors.
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