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Denton County releases aerial spraying results |
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Wednesday, 19 September 2012 14:48 |
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 The Denton County Health Department announced the effectiveness of aerial mosquito spraying.
County health officials said that the spraying resulted in a reduction of 56 percent of all mosquito types, and 60 percent of the mosquito species that carry West Nile virus.
Several of the communities with the highest incidence rates in Denton County experienced the most dramatic reductions in mosquitoes as a result of aerial spraying, officials said.
Spraying was conducted by state contractor, Clarke, in portions of Denton County from August 31 to September 2. The firm also conducted aerial spraying in Dallas County.
Clarke provided mosquito surveillance, aerial application of the Duet pesticide on 565,629 acres of the county, and post-spray analysis of mosquito mortality.
"The number of new cases of West Nile virus has decreased substantially since aerial spraying; however, it is premature to conclude that these results are solely attributable to aerial spraying. It is important to remember that aerial spraying is one piece of a WNV control program. Ground spraying, larviciding, education, and personal protection are also vital aspects to prevention of this illness, and must continue throughout the remainder of West Nile virus season," stated a press release from the Denton County Health Department.
Visit the DCHD West Nile virus website at www.dentoncounty.com/heart/wnv, or call the West Nile virus hotline (940-349-2907) for more details about symptoms, prevention tips, county-wide contacts, reducing mosquitoes around your home, and disease statistics.
As of Wednesday, there were a total of 167 cases of West Nile virus reported in Denton County year to date.
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Firstly, it is very close to the end of the season. As such, it is likely that a number of the 56% pointed out are mosquitoes, born early in the season, that have reached the end of their 100 day lifespan and have died naturally. It is also known that many mosquito species, including the Culex (WNV carrier) variety, are highly resistant to pesticides. What's worse, the survivors of large scale sprays like this develop an even higher resistance due to the amplification of a detoxifying gene. (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1986Sci...233..778M) Long story short, there are better ways to control mosquitoes that don't involve coating your community in sumithrin and pralletrin!
A study out of the Harvard School of Public Health in August of 2006 showed that spraying was ineffective in preventing the spread of West Nile virus.
No Spray Sacramento position paper on spraying
http://www.stopwestnilesprayingnow.org/nospray_positionr.pdf
These numbers are such bull. The mosquito season was already over. And if they did their "study", this week, of course most of them are gone!
This whole event was a waste of money.
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