By Monica Harnish

Last week’s Village Council meeting noted that on Wednesday, the 28th, the weekly mosquito fogging program would start. But did you know that the first line of defense against mosquito-borne diseases isn’t spraying pesticides throughout the community? (Xerces Society: Start Now To Prevent Mosquito-Borne Disease and Keep Our Pollinators Safe). Not only are such aerial spray efforts not the most effective strategies for protecting people; they also put pollinators at risk. In fact, some communities (Sierra Club Municipal Mosquito Fogging is Ineffective and Harmful) have moved away from fogging programs. 

There are better ways to protect ourselves from mosquitoes without harming our families or the environment. These include:

• Draining standing water from clogged gutters, old containers, and birdbaths. This is one of the best ways to control mosquitoes.
• Using mosquito dunks in storm drains and ponds. They target mosquito larvae without harming most other wildlife. And using a Mosquito Bucket (YouTube video: Homegrown National Park) for your yard is a simple, low-cost way to keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Supporting native plants and natural predators that help keep mosquito numbers down.
• Using spraying only when truly needed during confirmed disease outbreaks instead of as a routine seasonal practice.

I hope Bluffton will consider replacing its mosquito fogging program with safer, less expensive and more effective methods of controlling mosquitoes to better protect people, pollinators, wildlife and the environment. 

By choosing smarter mosquito control methods, Bluffton can help create a safer and healthier community for everyone.