I heard they would be doing aerial spraying in my county tonight to combat EEE. I went to a local newspaper online to read the details just now and read that we should close our windows, that the spraying would be done between 8pm and 1am. It's such a beautiful night out, normally we'd leave them open. But just then, we heard a plane overhead, and DH and I ran around shutting windows as if it were an air raid and bombs would be dropping. When I read in one of the newspaper articles that dragonflies and crickets might be killed, then the swallows would leave, and what would the toads eat, it made me want to cry.
EEE aerial spraying in MA creeping me out
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that's awful!!
I'd get out ASAP in the AM with a hose to wash down your sidewalks, driveway and car and stay off the grass til it rains - and I would pray for rain really soon.
I lived in FL for a year and in some neighborhoods they spray weekly for mosquitos. Awful!!
I'd get out ASAP in the AM with a hose to wash down your sidewalks, driveway and car and stay off the grass til it rains - and I would pray for rain really soon.
I lived in FL for a year and in some neighborhoods they spray weekly for mosquitos. Awful!!
I was really angry when I read about the spraying. How dare they spray poisons all over the place???! Land spraying is bad enough but when you do it by air, it's just so dangerous and gets everywhere.
They BETTER not be planning on doing in metrowest. I think everyone in MA should complain.
Grrrr.
They BETTER not be planning on doing in metrowest. I think everyone in MA should complain.
Grrrr.
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Not so happy, the airplane woke me up and my sons windows were open, and the fan running. I had no idea this was happening last night (I thought it was over on Monday).
Yuck.
I guess that is one reason to get the local paper. I did here on the radio a mention of the type used (I think it began with an A), but I didn't catch it.
Jessica
Yuck.
I guess that is one reason to get the local paper. I did here on the radio a mention of the type used (I think it began with an A), but I didn't catch it.
Jessica
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I saw this on the news a few days ago. Its terrible.
But I thought I had seen yesterday that they have suspended the spraying?
I hope nobody gets sick over it.
But I thought I had seen yesterday that they have suspended the spraying?
I hope nobody gets sick over it.
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Quote:
Well, they're spraying in "Deluxebury" I know.
Does anyone know if any spraying was actually done last night? Because I'm hearing crickets chirp as I write this.
The mainstream media (I know, right?) did say that most if not all of the poison wouldn't ever hit the ground-- does anyone know if there's any truth to that assertion?
Anyhow the whole thing is freaking me out.
Originally Posted by Willzmama DH doesn't think they would dare suggest spraying over more upscale parts of eastern MA. Maybe we're a test area! Creepy! But admittedly we do have a lot of horses and bogs down here. And EEE... |
Does anyone know if any spraying was actually done last night? Because I'm hearing crickets chirp as I write this.
The mainstream media (I know, right?) did say that most if not all of the poison wouldn't ever hit the ground-- does anyone know if there's any truth to that assertion?
Anyhow the whole thing is freaking me out.
I thought it was tonight too...not sure since it's not in our town. It makes me so angry that most people just don't care, or think that the gov't is doing us all a favor. EEE is certainly scary, but IMO, the garbage they are spraying into our air and on our lawns and houses is worse...
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I have some updated information, as I was over my mom's this evening and read all her local papers (Ledger and Duxbury Papers).
I was wrong-- Duxbury didn't get sprayed. Neither did Norwell, Hingham, or Cohasset. Any other towns that people consider "upscale"? From what I remember, it was Kingston, Halifax, Carver, Middleboro, Plympton, and parts of Plymouth and Taunton.
A lot of local farmers are scared they'll lose their organic certification over this, and are generally concerned about the effects it'll have on the safety of the food supply.
The official party line is that it's "safe" to be sprayed over crops but then they say that livestock shouldn't consume any grass or hay that's been exposed until 48 hours have passed. So go figure out the logic of that one.
And some guy who wrote a letter to the Ledger thinks we're all a bunch of environmentalist wackos. He knew that little girl in Halifax who died of EEE so I do understand his grief but sheesh, even the DPH admits that the spraying isn't going to be effective! Just reminds me of so many other measures (in many contexts) undertaken to "safeguard people's health" that don't really work.
I was wrong-- Duxbury didn't get sprayed. Neither did Norwell, Hingham, or Cohasset. Any other towns that people consider "upscale"? From what I remember, it was Kingston, Halifax, Carver, Middleboro, Plympton, and parts of Plymouth and Taunton.
A lot of local farmers are scared they'll lose their organic certification over this, and are generally concerned about the effects it'll have on the safety of the food supply.
The official party line is that it's "safe" to be sprayed over crops but then they say that livestock shouldn't consume any grass or hay that's been exposed until 48 hours have passed. So go figure out the logic of that one.
And some guy who wrote a letter to the Ledger thinks we're all a bunch of environmentalist wackos. He knew that little girl in Halifax who died of EEE so I do understand his grief but sheesh, even the DPH admits that the spraying isn't going to be effective! Just reminds me of so many other measures (in many contexts) undertaken to "safeguard people's health" that don't really work.
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis......disease that can be fatal to the very young, the very weak and the very old, carried by mosquitoes, which is the reason they're spraying.
I hear crickets and saw at least one dragonfly yesterday, so hopefully that means the Anvil (that's the name of the insecticide they used)didn't hurt them, or they just didn't spray near our house. I bet they did though - we certainly heard planes and there is a horse stable up the road and our back neighbors have several horses. Or maybe the effects will take awhile to show up?
They were supposed to spray Monday night, but they announced on the news that they would postpone it to Tuesday night.
I am in a town that was heavily sprayed (I heard the plane go by very low 3 times on Tuesday night). I think that is all they are planning on doing.
Anvil is an adulticide, so I think it's supposed to kill the adult mosquitos right away. Plus the fact sheet states that it dissapates fairly quickly in the presence of water and sunlight, so I wouln't expect a prolonged effect from it. The planes were suppossedly avoiding organic farms by using GPS technology. I'm sure they'll still get some drifting on the wind though
I sprayed my garden down heavily with the hose, and will do so again today. And ds's toys and swingset.
I see dragonflies and frogs (I was worried about them) outside, just not as many.
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The hummingbirds and finches seem ok but I'm worried that they will starve because the amount of bugs has been radically decreased.
I have mixed feelings about this, I am sad about the wildlife and environment, but where I live if you stand in the shade for 5 minutes you will be bitten by a mosquito. Ds's sandbox is in partial shade and he is getting bitten in there at 2pm in the afternoon. Often those strains of mosquitos (aggressive day biters) are the type more likely to be carrying EEE. And I am worried about EEE. It's very rare, but if you are unlucky enough to get it, your chance of survival is poor. For this reason I have been using bug spray (the natural kind was not working on ds, he was covered in bites) on ds and myself. We try to stay in at dusk, but in the summer when you are out and about or at parties, you need to use something. So now maybe I can use less chemicals on our skin anyway.
http://www.plymouthmosquito.com/
http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm
Lots of good info and statistics on these websites if anyone's interested.
I am in a town that was heavily sprayed (I heard the plane go by very low 3 times on Tuesday night). I think that is all they are planning on doing.
Anvil is an adulticide, so I think it's supposed to kill the adult mosquitos right away. Plus the fact sheet states that it dissapates fairly quickly in the presence of water and sunlight, so I wouln't expect a prolonged effect from it. The planes were suppossedly avoiding organic farms by using GPS technology. I'm sure they'll still get some drifting on the wind though
I sprayed my garden down heavily with the hose, and will do so again today. And ds's toys and swingset.
I see dragonflies and frogs (I was worried about them) outside, just not as many.
The hummingbirds and finches seem ok but I'm worried that they will starve because the amount of bugs has been radically decreased.
I have mixed feelings about this, I am sad about the wildlife and environment, but where I live if you stand in the shade for 5 minutes you will be bitten by a mosquito. Ds's sandbox is in partial shade and he is getting bitten in there at 2pm in the afternoon. Often those strains of mosquitos (aggressive day biters) are the type more likely to be carrying EEE. And I am worried about EEE. It's very rare, but if you are unlucky enough to get it, your chance of survival is poor. For this reason I have been using bug spray (the natural kind was not working on ds, he was covered in bites) on ds and myself. We try to stay in at dusk, but in the summer when you are out and about or at parties, you need to use something. So now maybe I can use less chemicals on our skin anyway.
http://www.plymouthmosquito.com/
http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm
Lots of good info and statistics on these websites if anyone's interested.
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It was a little freaky to hear the planes going so close overhead at night. And then today I finally ventured to the garden to see great big white residue (imo) spots on the pumpkin plant. At least I think its a pumpkin-- it was something that came up on its own.
Uugh. The basil had a little residue too.
My dh insists it can't be the pesticide because it breaks down in like 6 hours or so. WTF?? I mean, yeah, but it doesn't just disappear in thin air.
My dad sprays his garden, and the white stuff is exactly what it looks like after he sprays.
I'm trying not to go overboard on this, but dh is okay with letting Joshua out yesterday morning with just socks on (and a shirt, no shorts diaper) and today he went out with no socks on. Grrr.
Of course I bring him in and wash him out right awya.
Jessica (venting)
Uugh. The basil had a little residue too.
My dh insists it can't be the pesticide because it breaks down in like 6 hours or so. WTF?? I mean, yeah, but it doesn't just disappear in thin air.
My dad sprays his garden, and the white stuff is exactly what it looks like after he sprays.
I'm trying not to go overboard on this, but dh is okay with letting Joshua out yesterday morning with just socks on (and a shirt, no shorts diaper) and today he went out with no socks on. Grrr.
Of course I bring him in and wash him out right awya.
Jessica (venting)
In my opinion, it just stinks that they can do this without a public vote or something. I hate pesticides, I really do, but I can understand using it for EEE if it's used ON LAND. NOT by air.
From what I have read, air spraying is not really effective. I swear they are just doing it to placate the general population.
Sigh.
From what I have read, air spraying is not really effective. I swear they are just doing it to placate the general population.
Sigh.
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Yeah....forgive me for sounding paranoid here, but I lump it in the same category with this new banning hair gel from airlines, and the rainbow alert system that the government put in place after 9/11, and even the country's high c/s rate-- they're all CYA moves designed to placate people. That way, if something does happen (kid gets EEE or something, or in the other examples, there's another attack or something goes wrong during birth) they can say, "Well, we did everything we could."
*grumble*
-Amy
*grumble*
-Amy
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I can remember spraying in the Metrowest since I was a little kid. We would close our windows at night and hear the trucks roll by really early in the morning.
If I remember correctly the spraying was done in the spring. Something about eggs hatching. I had to be the spring, we spent our summers away.
Originally Posted by Willzmama Maybe we're a test area! Creepy! . |
If I remember correctly the spraying was done in the spring. Something about eggs hatching. I had to be the spring, we spent our summers away.
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