CLOSED: Please help! Mosquito spraying is devastating butterflies

artcons Fort Lauderdale, FL(Zone 10b) Jan 08, 2008

I am forwarding this message from Paula Cannon, a frequent contributer to American Butterflies magazine and a resident of Big Pine Key.

Dear insect and butterfly lovers,

If you know anyone willing to write a brief letter in regard to why mosquito control should NOT be spraying on refuge land nationwide, there is a two month comment period regarding this where the public can tell their view. I�ve included the contact info. Please pass it to any butterfly people you know. They are allowing comments till Feb 18. It is very important that everyone responds, very few knew about this the first time around and only a few comments were sent in, so they extended the comment period as requested. Please send comments to: refugesystempolicycomments@fws.gov

Let them know that mosquito control chemicals are killing our butterflies and many other insects. Insects deserve to be protected on refuge lands.

On Dec. 30, 2007, mosquito control sprayed Big Pine Key, FL for the second time in 4 days. My yard count went from 138 butterflies to 0 and has remained at 0 since they sprayed. These chemicals are devastating to the butterflies and other insects.

Thanks for your help, and please pass this on.

Art Constantino

Post #4374677

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brandymulvaine Traverse City, MI Jan 10, 2008

This is what I wrote: Spraying in a broad scale for mosquitoes is very damaging to the general insect population to include beneficial insects. How can you repopulate the native vegetation if you are killing the pollinators?? A famous man once said "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left ." that man was Albert Einstein. Think about it, people can spray their bodies to repel mosquitoes, we don't need to spray every surface outdoors for them. Thank You and please think about what you would like to leave your grandchildren. Brandy Mulvaine

Post #4384415

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jenhillphoto Danbury, CT(Zone 6a) Jan 11, 2008

I sent an email too. This is what I wrote.

To Whom it May Concern:

I am emailing my comment on the spraying of mosquitoes in the national wildlife refuges. I am against broadcast spraying of insecticides.

The problem with spraying for mosquitoes is that the insecticide knows no difference between a mosquito and all the other insects that live in the wildlife refuges. I'd hate to see butterflies, bees, and all the other little critters out there die just so us humans don't get bitten.

I know, that when I'm outdoors, I need to use bug repellent, wear long sleeves, and lay off the perfume to protect myself. So that's what I'm going to do.

Thank you.