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Mosquito Misting Systems Fact Gathering
Board of Directors meeting, 1/12/07
On January 12, approximately 35 - 40 members attended an association-hosted mosquito control forum. Joe Bunting opened the session by welcoming attendees and indicating its purpose was to continue to educate the association and its members about mosquito control, including misting systems. He introduced two experts - Joe Conlon of the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) and Bob Rosenberg of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) who both made introductory remarks and responded to questions. Joe also noted that principals from Palmetto Mosquito Control and Buzz Off, two companies who have installed mosquito misting systems on Kiawah, as well as Norm Shea, the associations Director of Lakes Management, were also available to respond to audience queries.
Bob Rosenberg, an industry advocate for the pest control industry, emphasized in his opening remarks that mosquito misting systems are a proven technology being applied over the last 5 years to a new market - residential homes. They were used initially in and around barns and livestock sheds, with apparent success. His organization, the EPA, pesticide manufacturers, state pesticide regulators, misting system manufacturers and pest control operators have been working together over the past year to answer questions and resolve concerns about residential misting systems such as: do misting systems damage the environment? Do they create problems with the human experience? This collaboration has resulted in the following: completion of the EPA risk assessments on the pesticides used in misting systems; the re-labeling of these pesticides to include specific directions for use in misting systems; the development of a set of Best Management Practices, and development of Advertising Guidelines, the latter two of which are not yet complete.
Joe Conlon stated the AMCA discourages the use of mosquito misting systems at the present time because (1) they dispense pesticides at predetermined intervals without surveillance data indicating a need for application, (2) the pesticides applied are subject to potentially significant drift off-site, and (3) they may unnecessarily promote insecticide resistance due to indiscriminate applications. He did, however, state that the EPA indicates pyrethrins present minimal risk to humans.
Several members who have existing systems spoke about their effectiveness and vouched for the misting system installation/application companies they used. Another member stated that he and his wife had moved to Kiawah because of the mosquito abatement chemicals used in their former hometown in Ohio adversely affected his wife's asthma. Others emphasized that members must be careful before intentionally injecting more chemicals into "our pristine environment." Specific concerns and other points covered included:
. Several mentioned how easily these misting systems disperse chemicals over large areas. How will these sprays affect other insects they contact? What are the potential negative impacts on Kiawah's food chain? Mr. Rosenberg and others cited 'low risks' to humans and animals, as indicated on the EPA Reregistration Eligibility Document for Pyrethrins available at www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/pyrethrins_red.pdf.
. Norm Shea asked if there was a recommended setback for the systems from ponds. Others questioned the potential impact on bodies of water (and their inhabitants) when dispersed chemicals from misting systems combine with the association's mosquito abatement chemicals. EPA risk assessments have determined that these systems, when operated according to label specifications, present no significant risk to the environment or humans. At present, there are no EPA-mandated setback stipulations for these systems. The Best Management Practices guidelines, when complete, may address the setback issue.
. Another member asked if the misting systems could be modified to use measurement techniques and only mist when target mosquito populations exceed standards using the association's existing standards as a baseline. Mr. Rosenberg stated this is possible, but not practical.
. Another member wondered if homeowners could abuse the misting systems by using other chemicals, by using recommended chemicals at stronger than approved rates, or by manually overriding automated schedules. Substituting pesticides not specifically labeled for use in the systems or applying at rates greater than labeled would violate state and federal law and could result in enforcement action against the applicator.
Mr. Rosenberg concluded by recommending that mosquito misting systems be approved by KICA and suggested that to ensure that systems are installed properly, KICA could require: (1) that only licensed and regulated contractors be permitted to install and service misting systems and (2) that the systems installed meet Best Management Practices, which he said could be complete within the next month.
Mr. Conlon's recommendations were that: (1) the use of these systems be discouraged by KICA, (2) KICA publish a Best Management Practices for these systems that would include the EPA's recommendations (when completed) in addition to the BMP under development by NPMA, AMCA and other stakeholders, (when completed) and (3) KICA further publish information pamphlets for members outlining accepted integrated mosquito management strategies to help obviate the need for these systems. AMCA is willing to assist in the development of these information booklets.
Joe Bunting ended the forum after all questions and comments were completed. Dick Sula, chairman of the board, has agreed to allow the matter to be placed on the March meeting agenda. Until a decision is made, the temporary operating ban is in effect.
Board of Directors meeting, 10/2/06
At the October 2, 2006 Board of Directors meeting, the board temporarily suspended the use of mosquito misting systems. This action was taken so that the board could have time to obtain more facts and opinions about the systems.
The association is still in the process of gathering facts about mosquito misting systems. Thus far, it has received information that the misting systems may possibly harm the common property lagoons the association maintains, as well as fish, wildlife, and other insects. Other sources indicate that mosquito misting systems may be safe for residential use. In our estimation, there is no black and white answer at this point. What we do know is that the board chose to err on the side of caution, which led to the temporary suspension.
While our Director of Lakes, Norm Shea, was conducting research on the costs and benefits of the mosquito misting systems, he sent a rough draft of the article he was writing for the September 2006 issue of the Digest to Mr. Bert Snyder. Mr. Snyder is an entomologist who works closely with one of the local vendors of a mosquito misting system. Mr. Snyder responded to Mr. Shea’s draft article with his thoughts. While the board is studying the matter, we thought it would be appropriate to place Mr. Snyder’s response on the KICA website.
The association has also posted to the KICA website the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for some of active ingredients in the mosquito misting systems, as well as information about how to read a MSDS. All of this information can be found below.
We hope that other persons with knowledge of the controversy will likewise provide their comments, whether in favor or opposed, about the mosquito misting systems. At this time, our thinking is that we will post these comments so that all knowledgeable parties can contribute to the board’s understanding. To that end, we appreciate members who have knowledge to provide data and ideas by e-mailing Chief Operating Officer Joe Bunting.
Additional Information about Mosquito Misting Systems
Informed Comments
- January 22, 2007
Roger Nasci, Ph.D. is a Research Entomologist for the National Center for Infectious Diseases Center for Disease Control
Dear Dr. Fallon:
We do have some concerns related to the residential misting systems and their incompatibility with sound integrated mosquito management practices.
First, these systems dispense pesticides based on a timer, not on the results of surveillance to document need. Thus, they likely result in an overapplication of pesticides (i.e., more than needed to manage the mosquito population).
Second, there is no published efficacy data, documenting that they actually succeed in reducing mosquito populations. We don't really know if they work.
Third, there is the possibility that they will complicate the efforts of local mosqutio control programs to manage pesticide resistance. I doubt they will actually select for resistance in the mosqutio population, but if these systems become numerous in an area, they may make it difficult for the mosquito control program to manage resistance development. For example, if the local program determines that resistance is developing and shifts to a different pesticide to combat the problem, consistent exposure of portions of the mosquito populations to the same pesticide by the misting systems may make management more difficult.
The potential problems stemming from pesticide drift, non-target impact, and risk of pesticide exposure to residents are more the concern of EPA's pesticide regulatory arm, and Carol's group.
- Roger
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Joe Conlon is Technical Advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association.
He did his undergraduate Environmental Health and Biology studies and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Parasitology and Medical Entomology (1979) and his Master of Science Degree in Medical Entomology (1981) from Bowling Green State University, Ohio. He was commissioned as a Navy Medical Entomologist in 1981 and entered active duty on January 10, 1982. Mr. Conlon retired from the U.S. Navy on August 1, 2000 with the rank of Commander.
Mr. Conlon has published 27 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has published over 130 articles in various trade magazines and major newspapers. He has testified before Congress regarding West Nile Virus control on two occasions
Mr. Conlon provided the Board of Directors with his expert opinion on mosquito misting systems and the use of them on Kiawah Island. Also, he included additional resources to review, as listed below:
- Bert Snyder, entomologist, sent to KICA his response to an article published in KPOG's September 2006 Talk newsletter. (PDF)
- Norm Shea, Director of Lakes (Sept. 2006 Digest Article)
- Edna Duffy, KICA member, provided the association staff with the following links to websites with information about mosquito-transmitted diseases -
- Eric Krueger, Aquatic Program Manager and Director of Science and Stewardship of the South Carolina chapter of The Nature Conservancy commented, thusly -
- "I'm no expert in this... but I do have some background in toxicology and environmental chemistry generally.
I know pyrethrins are toxic to a variety of fish at fairly low levels (like 10-50 parts per billion). While that is very dilute, I suspect you would have to spray the water surface directly to acheive that concentration. Pyrethrins have been shown in field studies to suppress non-target insect populations, but they rebound within 48 hours. Given that these systems seem to be operating daily, it's a reasonable conclusion that the misting systems are removing non-target organisms, at least in a localized fashion.
That's about the most I can offer at this point."
- KICA Members Ron & Madaline Corley sent KICA a letter explaining their experiences with their own mosquito misting systems. (PDF)
- Taylor Martino, from BuzzOFF Mosquito, sent KICA information about their mosquito misting system product, and their approach to mosquito control -
- KICA member, John D. Termine, Ph.D., sent an e-mail message to the association with his thoughts. His message reads as follows:
Dear Joe,
Dr Hal Fallon asked me to write you as to my Professional Opinion on the advisibility of stopping the use of automatic private property Mosquito Misting Devices on the Island. Without question it would be the most prudent and the most certain scientific and medical action to totally ban the use of such apparati on Kiawah. The use of potentially carcinogenic and/or disease promoting materials on a regular, if not daily, basis is extremely dangerous and possibly deadly, not only to the environmental ecosphere, but, more importantly, to any Human inhabitant of Kiawah who has a compromised immune system. It is ironic that our Red Alert System will warn such medically-compromised residents as to 'boil water' advisories and yet, may not do so for a considerably more dangerous exposure to the health and well-being of such individuals as represented by Residential Mosquito Misting Systems. Any exposure to potentially dangerous, air-borne chemicals without consideration of the medically compromised resident of or visitor to Kiawah, represents a possible life-threatening situation that is clearly avoidable. In point of fact, it may subsequently be shown that the Island Administration could be legally liable if, as a sequellae to permitted residentially located spraying, this resulted in a serious illness to the medically compromised Kiawah residents or visitors.
My scientific advice is to permanently ban the use of these devices.
John D. Termine, Ph.D.
- Bob Rosenberg, Senior Vice President of the National Pest Management Association, sent KICA documentation regarding mosquito misting systems, as well as an introductory letter for the documentation (PDF).
- Jeffrey B. Tucker of Entomology Associates, Inc. sent a letter to KICA via e-mail addressing the use of automated mosquito misting systems.
- Randy Elkins, the president of Coastal Mosquito Control wrote a letter to KICA about automatic mosquito misting systems (PDF) and suggested an alternative to banning them on Kiawah.
- KICA member, John W. Elias, sent an e-mail message to the Board of Directors with his thoughts. His message reads as follows:
KICA Board
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the meeting. However, I'm
very concerned about what I believe and know from personal experience
are misrepresentations regarding the mosquito spray system in the KICA news letter and on the website. The so call experts on the KICA Board
and others that are quoted have not done their home work and it gives me
great concern about what their agenda really is. I continue to be amazed
that no telephone call has ever been made to any user of the mosquito
spray system on Kiawah Island that I'm aware of.
The use of pesticides by the exterminating industry is highly regulated
throughout the U.S. and by each State. The mosquito spray system and
its contents (99 % of which is water) in use in South Carolina, as well
as other States, has been approved by the regulatory bodies. If not,
there is no way the exterminating companies would use the mixture
because their business license would be taken away and they would more
than likely be faced with large fines. Frankly, the chemical
fertilizers used on the golf courses are more harmful to the water
system and the chemical mixture that is sprayed from the KICA vehicles
at night is definitely harmful to humans, if one is in the direct line.
Why do you think the spraying takes place when most of the residents are
inside or during the wee hours of the morning?
I, as well as hundreds of other users in Texas, have been using the
mosquito spray system for more than 10 years. We have not experienced
any ill affects of any kind, nor have our pets or plants. Obviously, we
don't put our face right in front of the spray when the system is
spraying but we are on our patio or by the pool eating or having a drink
when the system comes on and it has never presented a problem of any
kind to us and/or our guests. Our system sprays for 15 to 20 seconds at
7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m and for the same amount of time at 6:00, 7:00
and 8:00 a.m each day of the year. There is never any evidence of dead
mosquitoes because the spray simply acts as more of deterrent than
anything. Consequently, we enjoy many a relaxing and pleasant evening
outdoors when mosquitoes are at the peak.
My request is simple - Whatever decision is made, should be based on the
facts, not what ifs. If the regulatory bodies have approved the spray
mix currently being used, then what justification does the KICA Board
have in banning the use of the mosquito control spray system? I hope the
KICA Board has considered their liability, in the event one or more
persons on Kiawah Island are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying some
dreadful disease and ultimate die. Particularly, if their death could
possibly have been prevented by the use of the mosquito control spray
systems that have already been installed by many residents on Kiawah
Island and many of the other Islands in the area. Hopefully, this is an
extreme case and never happens.
Respectfully,
John W. Elias
150 Kiawah Island Club drive
- Mr. David Carlson of McLaughlin Gormley King Company e-mailed KICA with the following comments:
Attention: Mr. Bunting, KICA General Manager
I am writing with my concerns regarding a decision made by the Kiawah Island Community Association to not allow its members to install and/or operate mosquito misting systems on Kiawah Island. This issue was brought to my attention by Palmetto Exterminators, Inc. out of Charleston, South Carolina who has installed systems on Kiawah Island. I have read many of the letters and opinions on your website and am concerned about the misinformation that is presented. We feel that the mosquito misting system is a viable tool to reduce mosquito populations around residences and reduce the potential exposure to diseases carried by mosquitoes such as West Nile Virus or encephalitis. The threat of these diseases to one’s family is much more serious then the extremely low risk of exposure from mosquito misting systems that are properly installed and operated.
As Technical Director for McLaughlin Gormley King Company (MGK), an insecticide manufacturer and formulator, I have had a great deal of experience with technical and regulatory realities of these systems. I manage a group of chemists, biologists, and regulatory specialists that develop products and the supporting data needed to register insecticide products with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the 50 state’s regulatory authorities that handle insecticide registrations. Riptide and Vampyre are two brand names of insecticide products-both containing pyrethrins-that are used in mosquito misting systems.
Pyrethrins are the primary insecticide active ingredient that is used in the mosquito misting systems and come from pyrethrum flowers, a particular species of chrysanthemum flowers that are grown in Kenya, Tanzania, and Australia. Pyrethrins are a plant extract and are not a synthetic insecticide. MGK is one of three refiners of pyrethrum extract in the world and the only refiner of pyrethrum extract in the United States. We have been refining pyrethrum extract and developing products containing pyrethrins for more than 65 years. Pyrethrins have been used in a wide range of products for the consumer, for professional pest control operator, and for pest control on growing crops due to the broad range of insects they can control and their short lifetime when sprayed in the environment caused by their rapid degradation in sunlight. MGK has developed and registered a product under the brand name Pyganic that is approved and used on certified organic crops. Pyrethrins are used in large area mosquito control programs and have been identified as the best insecticide to be used in residential mosquito misting systems.
I am also the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Pyrethrin Joint Venture, which is a consortium of growers, formulators, and marketers of products with pyrethrins that was formed to develop a comprehensive data base of toxicology, environmental fate, and exposure data that was required under the re-registration programs of the U.S. EPA. This program just passed a milestone in August, 2006 with the issuance of the Registration Eligibility Document (RED) for pyrethrins in which EPA reviewed all uses of this insecticide and concluded that mosquito misting systems are an acceptable use with no human health concerns. There is as much data available on various safety aspects of pyrethrins as any other insecticide-and most likely chemical- used in the U.S. today. Our group continues to generate and supply data to the U.S. EPA on the mosquito misting systems that was not previously available and we are cooperating with EPA and other industry members to develop standard protocols to further show the effectiveness of these systems.
Although the mosquito misting system is a rather new tool for applying insecticide it is very similar to a handheld portable fogger that has been used for years around the home for mosquito and other insect control and can be purchased at the local hardware store. Since the mosquito misting systems are fixed and remotely operated, the applicator is not exposed by the spray or drift of the fog when applying/spraying the insecticide and with the added improvement of less total insecticide being used since only a metered amount of product is sprayed with an actuation of the system. The mosquito misting system industry has been on a steep learning curve and it has become clear that systems must be properly installed, maintained, and operated. Although scenarios of misuse are frequently theorized, the typical user wants to keep his operating costs to a minimum and uses the system only as frequently as needed to control the mosquitoes in his backyard. Experience finds that most systems are set to deliver a pyrethrin solution at dawn and at dusk-when mosquitoes are active and people are indoors- and perhaps one other time during the night time. Most recent installations are focused on treating landscaping and shrubs where the mosquitoes have landed to seek shelter in contrast to early systems that were installed at high locations so they could better drift the mist through an area, but also resulted in some off-site drift problems. The mosquito misting system industry is committed to supporting this application tool and has efforts underway to establish “best management practices” for the installation and operation of these systems.
I hope these comments are helpful to your organization and might correct some of the misinformation from other sources. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or if there is some assistance we can provide on this matter.
Regards,
David Carlson
Technical Director
McLaughlin Gormley King Company
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