Are Pesticides Safe?

IS THE MOSQUITO SPRAY HARMFUL AND DO I NEED TO STAY INSIDE WHEN THEY SPRAY?

No, you don’t have to stay inside when the city is spraying for mosquitoes.  These products, when applied according to label will not harm people, pets, animals, or the environment. This public health pesticide is designed for use in residential and recreational areas. You are not required to leave an area when the sprayer goes by but you may want to avoid or minimize your contact with the cloud of droplets as it passes. If you prefer to stay inside with your windows and doors closed during the spray that’s fine, but it’s not necessary. Grand Forks Mosquito Control employees are trained and certified in the public health category as commercial pesticide applicators.

Citizens like to know if the products being used for controlling mosquitoes are safe for the public and the environment.  There are several factors that determine which products are used and how they will be used in Grand Forks.  The Grand Forks Mosquito Control program was developed utilizing the guiding principles of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Our goal is to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and reduce the nuisance level of mosquitoes while maintaining the integrity of our ecosystem.  Environmental awareness is at the forefront of our program.  All products used in the Grand Forks program are registered and approved by the EPA and the North Dakota Dept. of Agriculture and our staff employs best management practices when using these products.  The Grand Forks Mosquito Control program was developed to improve the health and quality of life for the citizens in our community. At no time do we want to put anybody’s health at risk because of the products we use to control mosquitoes.  Following the guidelines of an IPM program permit us to use products that are safe to humans and the environment while reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Are mosquito control pesticides safe?
Facts about mosquito control pesticide applications
Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids
Human exposure study
Truck mounted sprayers