Residents of Jackson County (including nationally recognized "Bee Cities": Ashland, Talent and Phoenix) are concerned that the pesticides (Anvil aka sumithrin and Delta Guard, both pyrethroids) being sprayed by Jackson County Vector Control District for mosquito control are unsafe for humans, pets, pollinators and other wildlife. Their labels say they are "TOXIC" to bees and fish. 

"Adulticides (Aerosols): Anvil® 10+10 ULV 
DeltaGard – EPA reduced risk " (http://jcvcd.org/us/products-used/

"This product is extremely toxic to fresh water and estuarine fish and invertebrates. Runoff from treated areas into a body of water may be
hazardous to fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Do not apply over bodies of water...This pesticide is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or weeds. Do not apply this product or allow drift when bees are foraging the treatment area" (see Delta Guard label:  https://www.backedbybayer.com/~/media/BackedByBayer/Product%20Labels%20-%20pdf/DeltaGard.ashx

“Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals. Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Do not induce vomiting because of aspiration pneumonia hazard. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.”  “Cleaning of equipment or disposal of wastes must be done in a manner that avoids contamination of bodies of water or wetlands. Do not apply directly to water.” (From the Anvil 10+10 label)

"Our adulticide program uses a finely calibrated ULV fogging machine which produces a very fine aerosol which kills adult mosquitoes upon contact." (http://jcvcd.org/mosquito-control/adulticide/

"pyrethroids are toxic to fish and to bees." (https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/permethrin-resmethrin-d-phenothrin-sumithrinr-synthetic-pyrethroids-mosquito-control

A former EPA research scientist, Ray Seidler's guest post in the Mail Tribune about how Vector control is using 4 known endocrine disruptors which are dangerous to humans and pollinators as well as being only 1% effective: (http://www.mailtribune.com/opinion/20160604/guest-opinion-mosquito-sprays-are-ineffective-and-pose-health-risks

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees that spraying adult mosquitoes with the ultra low volume procedure used by Vector Control is a highly inefficient control method and does not always reduce the incidence of West Nile Virus disease in humans. It suggests that treatments concentrate on larval stages of mosquitoes where more specific, effective and less toxic chemicals can be used." Dr Ray Seidler

"The use of larvicides to kill mosquitoes before they become biting adults is more effective and less hazardous than adulticiding." (http://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/mosquito/documents/Stopthespraying.pdf

Pyrethroids increase risk of ADHD in children: http://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2015/02/commonly-used-pyrethroid-pesticide-increases-risk-of-adhd/

"DO NOT use permethrins* on cats" and there are many outdoor cats being sprayed because their owners do not know about the spraying (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=2252 *a synthetic pyrethroid

 REQUEST FOR ACTION:

Commit to using alternatives to spraying pesticides for mosquito control

Here are some suggestions:

1.Bti- reallocate some existing money for the use of more specific biological mosquito larvicides (such as Bti) that are safer and aren't toxic to bees!

2. Bats- one bat can consume 2,000 mosquitoes in an hour, and many bats are in trouble from a disease wiping out their population. Help conserve these important mammals while keeping the mosquito population down by installing a bat house (large ones meant for breeding that can hold 300+) in every park in Jackson County!

3. Fish- Use indigenous fish populations, like bluegills or minnows, to eat mosquito larvae in shallow waters and ornamental pools. Copepod crustaceans can also be used to eat mosquito larvae in ditches, pools and other areas of stagnant water. 

4. Plant herbs that naturally deter mosquitos in areas where there is standing water that cannot be drained – the most common are: citronella, horsemint, marigold, catnip, and Ageratum.

5. More transparency regarding the exact locations being treated (on a more detailed map and days/weeks before hand so they can choose to leave town if chemically sensitive or they have compromised immune systems) and so they can be sure to be indoors and close their windows.

6. Citizens need to be made aware of the No Spray List and their opportunity to opt-out of the program for 300 feet around their property. (http://jcvcd.org/no-spray/

7. More education about alternatives and what citizens can do themselves to reduce mosquitos. Things like: Cleaning up– Cutting back any overgrown vegetation –(mosquitoes use these areas to hide). Ensure waterways are clear of debris; eliminate pooled or stagnant waters from debris, containers, drains, and anywhere that pools water. Watch out for leaky faucets. Mosquitoes can breed in puddles the size of dimes!

**Picture is only a representation. It is not an actual JCVCD truck.