We've received hundreds of comments/messages about safety concerns with the mosquito spraying C-130 in the sky this week. Most of them are residents worried about the chemicals harming their pets or even themselves. That is not the case at all...Aerial application of insecticide, when applied according to label instructions by a licensed professional, is the most effective way to rapidly reduce the number of mosquitoes in a large area and does not present a risk to people, pets or other animals. Spraying is done between dusk and dawn when most mosquitoes are more active and to limit the impact on beneficial insects like honeybees.A small amount of insecticide, one to two tablespoons per acre, is dispersed by airplanes equipped with nozzles that create ultra-low volume droplets just the right size to kill mosquitoes. The tiny droplets are calibrated to float in the air and kill adult mosquitoes on contact while limiting exposure to other animals and people. Droplets quickly break down in sunlight and water.People can also help control mosquitoes during the recovery effort by dumping out standing water around their homes and businesses and applying a commercially available larvicide in water that can’t be drained. People should also avoid mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent every time they go outside and making sure their window and door screens are in good repair after the storm to keep mosquitoes out of homes.For a complete list of spraying facts from Texas Health & Human Services,
visit their website here!The spraying should be complete by the end of this week. They have just a small spot in our area yet to do tonight, and then it's off to finish Montgomery County and the NW side of Harris County. 4951