Colin Purrington
My neighbor just had her property fogged by Mosquito Shield, one of those outfits that uses gasoline-powered foggers to coat foliage with insecticides every few weeks. I can always smell it, which means that the chemicals have drifted into my yard and are now killing my insects. Makes my blood boil. Here's my post about pyrethroid sprays in case you can share with friends who are considering signing up for these services. #insects #insecticides #mosquitoes #mosquito #pyrethroids #chemical #pesticides #pollinators #nature
https://colinpurrington.com/2018/09/buzz-on-mosquito-sprays/
Effects of mosquito sprays on humans, pets, and wildlife » Colin Purrington's blog

Mosquito Authority, Mosquito Joe, Mosquito Platoon, Mosquito Shield, Mosquito Squad, TruGreen are often very reluctant to reveal what insecticides they use and sometimes imply that the chemicals are safe for everything except mosquitoes. This page contains information on what, exactly, they spray and what effects those chemicals have. After a little digging, I think I’ve […]

Colin Purrington's blog
Jul 15, 2023 at 3:14pmWeb
Show threadWugsJul 15, 2023

@colinpurrington

My mum had this done at her place without asking me. It was Bifenthrin, I searched for info on how to counteract it but couldn't find much.

It's probably too late but hosing everything down can wash the pesticide off before it's had a chance to cure. Ideally within 30mins of application but depends on the insecticide. Alkaline ph can make it less effective so maybe soil wetter can help. It may be a good time to prune any plants that can handle it and get rid of the prunings.

Show threadneville parkJul 15, 2023

@colinpurrington from your post on preventing/repelling mosquitoes linked are the end:

> Pro-tip: use a slingshot to launch a Mosquito Dunk into neighbor’s abandoned swimming pool.

Guerrilla pest control, I love it

Show threadafternoon birderJul 15, 2023
@colinpurrington I hate these sprays too and it is infuriating when the neighbor sprays, I feel like it could be an actionable trespass when the chemicals drift into your property, I am using this trap for mosquitoes: https://www.audubonva.org/news/how-to-set-up-a-mosquito-larva-trap
UPDATED: How to Set Up a Mosquito Larva Trap — Audubon Society of Northern Virginia

Just updated with questions and answers and new photos! Here’s an effective alternative to harmful mosquito spraying, as suggested by Doug Tallamy. Jill Spohn takes us through the steps of building your own mosquito larva traps at home.

Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
Show threadVivek GaniJul 17, 2023

@colinpurrington Thanks for writing this! Do you see issues with direct permethrin (i.e. synthetic pyrethrin) spray *just* at a housing structure (below the roof)?

I went through a rabbit hole years ago trying to learn about pyrethrin (and the synthetically-made permethrin).

A lot of pest control folks where I am (southern USA) market themselves as using natural chemicals, this may just mean they're using pyrethrin which likely has the same risks when applying to the yard.

Show threadVivek GaniJul 17, 2023

@colinpurrington

For example, for organic agriculture purposes Organic Materials Review Institute OMRI.org has specific rules around using pyrethrins, and rules out synthetics (i.e. permethrin) - https://www.omri.org/omri-search?page=1&query=pyrethrin&exactMatch=false

On the other end there's books about pyrethrum (which evangelize it) but interesting to see how pyrethrins have been used for IIRC over 150 years.

Show threadColin PurringtonJul 17, 2023
@vivekgani I think spraying onto window screens and around door frames might be a sensible thing to do in areas where mosquitoes are thick. Would kill a lot of them as they loitered, waiting to get in.
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJul 18, 2023
@colinpurrington fuck that neighbor
Show threadFlying_Donny for democracyApr 12, 2024
@colinpurrington Here's a slightly related question. The makers of some "natural" products that are supposed to kill and repel fleas and ticks on dogs and people and in homes and yards, claim that they *do not harm pollinators*. That's impossible, right? Either they don't really kill fleas and ticks or they equally harm bees and butterflies? Ingredients are cedarwood oil and other essential oils.
Show threadColin PurringtonApr 12, 2024
@kateiacy You are correct. Cedarwood (as a block of wood and later via essential oils) was initially used to control moth larvae. I don't have a paper handy to back it up, but I'm sure the spray would harm or kill certain pollinators and bees, especially the smaller ones. Xerces Society might have better information. Please see page 9 on this PDF from them: https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/13-053_web-screen.pdf
Show threadFlying_Donny for democracyApr 12, 2024
@colinpurrington Thank you for the information and paper!