To: The Gloucester County Board of Commissioners, Deputy Director Jim Jefferson (Health & Human Services), and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

Every summer, Gloucester County residents face relentless mosquito populations. Traditional chemical spraying provides only temporary relief and can also affect pollinators, beneficial insects, and the environment.

It is time for Gloucester County to explore safer, modern alternatives.

Biological control methods such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) use non-biting, lab-reared sterile male mosquitoes to reduce mosquito populations without widespread pesticide use. Programs like Google’s “Debug” initiative and research institutions such as Rutgers Center for Vector Biology are advancing these technologies across the country.

We, the undersigned residents of Gloucester County, ask county and state leaders to:

Pursue partnerships with biotechnology companies and research institutions to bring a sterile mosquito pilot program to Gloucester County.
Expand mosquito control beyond chemical spraying by investing in targeted, environmentally friendly biological methods.
Protect residents from mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus while minimizing harm to pollinators, pets, and our local ecosystem.
Gloucester County has an opportunity to lead New Jersey in smarter, safer mosquito control.

Please sign and share this petition to support a healthier, more comfortable summer for our community.