FAQs
The PIE Center, along with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Southeastern Regional Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, developed answers to frequently asked questions to communicate about mosquito control with members of local communities. These questions are based on results of focus group research conducted by the Center for Risk Communication, as part of this project. It is important to provide consistent answers to residents when communicating about mosquito control.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mosquito Control
KEEP EMPTY
Is Naled safe?
When used according to regulations set by the United States EPA, Naled is expected to be safe for humans and pets. It is targeted toward flying mosquitoes and applied to the air in droplets mixed with water. Very little amount of the treatment reaches the ground because only 1-2 tablespoons are used per acre (length of a football field). It has been used effectively in Florida since 1959.
Does mosquito control harm bees?
While insecticides used on mosquitoes can kill bees outside of their hives, treatment that is applied before dawn or after dusk can reduce impact because bees are usually inside their hives. However, it is not always appropriate to treat before dawn or after dusk for certain mosquito species. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies show that honey production between hives in treated and untreated sites did not show significantly different quantities of honey over the course of a season. Beekeepers and concerned citizens should work with their local mosquito control program to determine when and where they treat for mosquitoes.
Why are you treating our community for mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes can transmit diseases, reduce tourism and negatively impact our economy. Operators use Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) when treating our community for mosquitoes. They survey areas, remove breeding sites, use structural barriers, control mosquitoes at the larval stage (larvicide) and reduce the number of adult mosquitoes (adulticide). Treating adult mosquitoes is an important step of IMM, a process that protects you and your family. You can find more resources about mosquito control at piecenter.com/mosquito/#resources.