Buzz killers: Oneida County flags dangers of mosquito contractors

In recent years, the fear of mosquito-borne illnesses and a sense of physical discomfort has led many Wisconsinites to apply pesticides in their yards in order to kill adult mosquitoes. The application is typically done through a hired contractor specialized in pest control or self-application. The products used may vary in name; however, none of the pesticides used are species specific, meaning many beneficial insects are harmed by exposure to these chemicals.

Alarmingly, insect populations have been plummeting. The reasons behind this decline are both varied and complex. Pesticides, habitat loss, climate change, and pathogens top the list.

Moths and butterflies have declined by 53 percent in North America, while native bee populations have declined over 50 percent. These insects perform very important services to the ecosystem and humans; they are pollinators.

Without pollinators, about 30 percent of the human food supply from agriculture would disappear. Pollinators are a valuable resource!

The decreasing number of insect species correlates with decreasing numbers of bird and bat species in North America. Among the causes are a loss of food source and contamination with pesticides through direct or indirect exposure.

Unfortunately, neither insect control contractors nor the product labels on store shelves typically inform customers that mosquito-eradicating pesticides are also toxic to dragonflies, fireflies, bees, butterflies, and birds on their property. When treating for mosquitos, other insects and birds are also reduced in number.

In order to reverse the current loss of insect biodiversity, we need to modify some common agricultural practices, and be more thoughtful in the way we maintain our homes and property.

Small changes in our backyards, along lakeshores, in the city, and in our farm fields can benefit insects.

There are many alternatives for successful insect management that are not harmful to our pollinator friends. A simple precaution we can all take is to look around your property and eliminate unnecessary breeding mosquito habitat like buckets, tires, plugged gutters, and other standing water. We can create a habitat that is inviting to birds, bats, and dragonflies to increase the presence of natural mosquito predators. Some examples include establishing a pollinator garden, planting shrubs with berries that attract birds and installing bat houses.

If needed, a biological control method that targets mosquito larvae is significantly more effective and environmentally friendly than a pesticide targeting adults. There are a number of bacteria that have proven to be effective. These are readily available and effective for an extended period.

Please be thoughtful of insect and wildlife health when choosing options for comfortable backyard recreation and protection from mosquito-borne illnesses. To learn more about insect decline and ways you can reduce populations without pesticides, visit the Oneida County land and water conservation website at: www.oclw.org/insect-decline.html.