The Use Of Malathion In A Mosquito Control Mist System
Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide used in a mosquito control system in the United States. This insecticide is used to kill mosquitoes in residential gardens, public recreation areas, agriculture, and in many different public health pest control systems. If your city uses Malathion in their mosquito control system it is important to understand what it is they are spraying around you.
There are four stages a mosquito goes through in its entire life cycle which include egg, larva, pupa, and the adult. Malathion is an insecticide used as adult mosquito larvae control to kill the adult mosquitoes once they have emerged from underneath the water and into the air. There are two ways a city mosquito control system can apply malathion into the air which includes using a truck mounted or aircraft mounted sprayer. When an aerial application is applied with an aircraft an ultra low volume is sprayed dispensing droplets that remain in the air for a while, mosquitoes are killed on contact. The goal of any mosquito control mist system is to minimize exposure and risk to the environment and people.
It is a valid concern to have if you are wondering if malathion poses risk to you or your animals. An aerial application using the low amounts of malathion used to kill mosquitoes poses unreasonable risk. This insecticide should be used according to the specifications of the label. The active ingredient in the spray is so little, health problems due to exposure is not a concern even by the EPA. Even if you were camping, a spray occurred, and your toddler ingested grass, soil, and had skin and inhalation exposure, he or she would be fine. Any organophosphate like malathion does have the capability to over stimulate the nervous system and cause you to feel dizzy, nauseated, or confused. A serious high dose poisoning can lead to death. If you want to perform do it yourself mosquito control because they are bothering you too much, follow the directions. Malathion can be very dangerous if you use too much.
Malathion used is a mosquito control mist system for an aerial application also does not pose risk or danger to wildlife or agriculture. This insecticide degrades quickly in the environment, especially in areas that are moist providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The toxicity to birds and mammals is extremely low and extremely high to insects. The only problem with Malathion is that the honeybee population is in danger to an aerial application because they are killed upon contact. Honeybees are beneficial to the environment and to the ecosystem. The EPA is working on specific precautions to reduce the risk of endangering honeybees due to a mosquito control system.
One very common insecticide used in a mosquito control system or government agency is called malathion. This form of insecticide is not harmful when used to kill mosquitoes in a regulated system. However, it can be dangerous when ingested if the spray requirements are not followed carefully according to the label.
