Orange County Vector Control has scheduled a Aerial Spraying 9/9/15-9/10/15 at 10:00 p.m. To 4:00 a.m. in the following cities of Orange, Tustin, Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Stanton with a pesticide by the name of Duet. Duet contains three chemicals that have been found in fact toxic to the environment as well as for people who are exposed to it.  

The three components are:

Phenothrin8

Identified as being toxic to zooplankton, fish and insects including honeybees, and may be an endocrine disruptor in humans. So in addition to killing the mosquitoes, this kills other animal life that are not West Nile Virus disease vectors.

Prallethrin9

This one is identified as being highly toxic to fish and insects including honeybees. Again the toxin kills other organisms that are not West Nile Virus disease vectors.

Piperonyl butoxide10

This by its self seems to be only mildly toxic to the aquatic and insect life. It is used as a synergist, that is to say it is included because it prevents organisms from breaking down toxins such as Pralethrin and Phenothrin thus making the pesticide concoction more potent. It may cause delayed mental development in children and other problems.

We need to reach a solution. The first is to educate our selves and our neighbors. The OC Vector Control Does very little effort in changing its chemicals to less non toxic chemicals for the city, this has been the second attempt to spray. There is a site called www.stopwestnilesprayingnow.org. It does a fine job of exposing why this type of chemical assault should be stopped. We need to encourage a more effective and less harmful pest control plan.