PestiBytes
Episode 5
What Should I Do During Mosquito Spraying?
Introduction/Conclusion: Dr. Dave Stone, Director of the National Pesticide Information CenterHost: Sandra Uesugi, EHSC Outreach Program Coordinator
Guest: Rachelle, NPIC Pesticide Specialist
[THEME MUSIC]
DR. STONE: Welcome to PestiBytes, a podcast series from the National Pesticide Information Center. These are based on common pesticide questions from people just like you.
[THEME MUSIC]
SANDRA: This is Sandra and I'm talking with Rachelle who's going to tell us why your community might choose to spray for mosquitoes.
RACHELLE: Well, Sandra, mosquitoes can carry diseases that can be passed when they bite. They're known to carry West Nile Virus, malaria, and encephalitis. Because mosquitoes can infect humans and pets, they are considered to be a public health concern and many times sprayed by local communities.
SANDRA: How can I find out if spraying is going to occur where I live?
RACHELLE: A lot of times that information is published in local news sources. You can always call your local public health office and ask for the vector control.
SANDRA: If I find out that spraying is going to occur in my area, what can I do to protect myself and my family?
RACHELLE: The first thing to do, Sandra, is to find out when, how, where and what they're going to be spraying. And that way, if you choose, you can stay inside during that time, close up your windows, or cover up your children's toys and remove any kind of outdoor pet food and water dishes.
SANDRA: Thanks, Rachelle. That's great information.
RACHELLE: Thank you, Sandra!
[THEME MUSIC]
DR. STONE: If you have questions about pesticides, please call us at 1-800-858-7378 or visit us on the web at http://npic.orst.edu. PestiBytes is brought to you by the National Pesticide Information Center, a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the Environmental Protection Agency and produced by OSU's Environmental Health Sciences Center, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Please see our disclaimer.
