Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 20, 2012. Given the number of Wile Nile virus (WNv) cases, including 26 deaths, it is important to focus attention on mosquito management methods that are the most effective and do not introduce additional short- and long-term public health hazards with the use of toxic pesticides, public health advocates say. It is understandable that local, state, and federal officials want to act decisively, but that does not mean that the widespread use of hazardous pesticides is the best course of action, according to Beyond Pesticides, a national information and advocacy organization on pesticides and alternatives based in Washington, DC. According to Beyond Pesticidesâ executive director, Jay Feldman, âCommunities that are most successful and smart about mosquito control engage in aggressive efforts to reduce and eliminate mosquito breeding areas in standing water around homes and buildings and throughout the community.â Mosquito breeding can take place in stagnant water, from very small to larger pools âbottle caps, discarded automobile tires, planters, containers, rain gutters, drains, or under piles of leaves.
