PESP Information
Should your mosquito control district be recognized
for encouraging environmental stewardship?
The
Northeastern Mosquito Control Association has been a partner in the EPA's
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) under the auspices of the
AMCA since 2002. The emphasis of this
program is to reduce any risk associated with pesticide use. Partners are recognized for their work in
this area. The AMCA is currently
accepting applications from individual districts that wish to become partners
in PESP.
Steps an individual mosquito district
needs to take to become a PESP partner under the auspices of the AMCA:
1.
You must become a sustaining member of the AMCA http://www.mosquito.org/membership/sustaining-membership.aspx
What do you receive with a sustaining membership?
¨
1
regular or 2 associate memberships
¨
Contribution
to legislative advocacy
¨
Member
rate registration of all agency personnel at AMCA meetings
¨
AMCA
sustaining membership certificate
¨
Recognition
in AMCA newsletter
¨
Recognition
at annual meetings
¨
Bimonthly
sustaining member e-newsletter discussing legislative updates.
2.
Submit letter of interest and background document describing the work
done by your agency to Gabrielle Sakolsky, Chair, PESP Working Group (gsakolsky@ccmcp.net).
What benefits are derived from becoming a partner?
¨
You show
your commitment to reducing any risk associated with the use of pesticides.
¨
Partners
can advertise their status by affixing the PESP logo to their educational
brochures & web site pages, etc.
They cannot, however, use it on their business cards and letters.
¨
Individual
partners that fall under the umbrella of a regional partner are not required to
do any additional reporting as they already document the Strategy Activities
and provide them to the regional partner.
¨
Initial
partnership certificate and annual partnership certificate will be provided by
the AMCA.
¨
Individual
partners have a voice in the PESP activities of the AMCA.
The PESP working group will
then vote to endorse your organization’s membership in the PESP and
submit your request to the AMCA board for acceptance into the program.
Once accepted partners must
complete an annual survey with details on their organizations participation in
highlighted strategies. The current
strategy document can be found at the following link http://www.mosquito.org/pesp-program
The district's
background document should follow the format of the NMCA background document,
which will be made available upon request (or check below). Doug and I would be
able to assist districts with this process. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions.
Gabrielle Sakolsky, Asst. Superintendent
Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project
86 Willow Street
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
fax: 508-362-7917
phone: 508-775-1510
PESP
Background document
Please cut and past onto your letterhead,
and change the document to reflect your agency – please contact Gabi for
additional information.
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PESTICIDE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM
"BACKGROUND DOCUMENT'
FOR THE NORTHEASTERN
MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED
TO: The American Mosquito Control
Association
Northeastern Mosquito Control Association
Contact:
Gabrielle Sakolsky
Cape
Cod Mosquito Control
86
Willow Street
Yarmouth
Port, MA 02675
Phone:
508-775-1510
Email:
ccmcp@cape.com
March 2002
I.
INTRODUCTION TO BACKGROUND
DOCUMENT.
Chapter VII of the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)
"Partnership Strategy Document" (PSD) provides for qualified member
organizations to attain PESP partnership status under the auspices of the
AMCA. This "Background
Document" has been developed by the Northeastern Mosquito Control
Association (NMCA), a sustaining member and affiliate of the AMCA, to meet a
requirement of the revised Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP)
format that was instituted in July 1999. This document will describe the
current policies and organizational structure of the NMCA and present a brief
overview of the general control practices of its member agencies. This "Background Document" will also
describe how the NMCA will strive to improve its ongoing policy of encouraging
environmental stewardship by its members.
II. OVERVIEW OF THE
NORTHEASTERN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION.
The NMCA is a non-profit, technical, scientific and educational
association. NMCA membership includes mosquito control personnel,
entomologists, medical personnel, engineers, public health officials, industry
representatives, military officers and personnel and laymen who are charged
with, or interested in, the biology and control of mosquitoes as well as other
vectors. The NMCA is made up of members from the New England states (CT,
MA, ME, NH,RI, and VT) as well as
A. To promote the
efficacy of mosquito abatement and related activities, through the
encouragement of research, development of procedures, and the
exchange of
information
B. To circulate among its members and other
interested parties, pertinent knowledge relative to mosquito abatement and
related subjects.
C. To encourage field trips and meetings of
the members.
The NMCA, since its inception in 1955, has worked to provide a
forum for its members, the purpose of which is to exchange information relative
to the most effective mosquito control methods available. The most widely
accepted method for achieving effective control is Integrated Pest Management
(IPM). All IPM approaches start with the concept of knowing your pest and
determining, based on a cost-benefit ratio, whether the identified pest has
reached a threshold beyond which harm will occur. In this day and age, a
cost-benefit analysis must include potential environmental impacts before an
intervention may incur. Therefore the NMCA encourages its members,
through education and research, to use the most effective, yet least
environmentally intrusive, methods of intervention. We believe our
objectives are consistent with those of the PESP which is why we are applying
for partnership under the auspices of the AMCA.
III. OVERVIEW
OF A "TYPICAL" MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM IN THE NORTHEAST.
While it is not possible to provide a concise, generic overview of
all mosquito control programs in the Northeastern United States, there are
certain program components which virtually all operational programs
employ. Member mosquito control agencies typically follow an Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) approach when involved with control efforts. A
"typical" Mosquito Control IPM program will include a combination of
resource management techniques such as source reduction (=permanent control),
larviciding and adulticiding to control mosquito populations which will be
implemented based on surveillance data. Biological control is also used to
some extent by some programs. These control measures are necessary during
periods of nuisance mosquito outbreaks as well as when an epidemic of a
mosquito-transmitted pathogen is evident. Continuing education, for both
employees and the general public, are important IPM components of most mosquito
control programs. These educational efforts have resulted in a more
informed public and, at the same time, increased the professionalism among
mosquito control workers with significant progress being made toward reducing
pesticide use and risk.
A. MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE.
Surveillance is the basis of an IPM plan. Mosquito control programs use surveillance to
determine if an intervention is needed, what type of intervention is needed,
and if the intervention measures were successful. Surveillance can be conducted using a number
of different methods. Larval
surveillance is usual done using a standard (350 ml) dipper and taking a set
number of dips at random locations in potential larval habitat. Mosquito larvae are counted and identified to
determine if a preventative action is warranted. Adult mosquito populations can be monitored
using a number of different methods.
Whereas complaints from the public can be indicative of a mosquito
problem, mosquito
control programs use a number of quantitative and qualitative techniques to
determine when action should be taken to reduce an adult mosquito
population. Landing rate per minute
counts reflect the number of human biting mosquitoes host-seeking in a
particular area. Many mosquito control
programs also use baited and non-baited light traps to measure trends in adult
mosquito populations. Adult mosquito
surveillance is an important tool for evaluating the efficacy of any action
taken to control mosquitoes and is used frequently by our members for that
purpose.
Disease surveillance is conducted by mosquito control personnel to
establish intervention thresholds. These population thresholds are then used to
determine if increased control activities are necessary. Knowledge of
mosquito population densities can improve a mosquito control or public health agencies'
ability to respond appropriately. In the Northeastern United States,
surveillance is being conducted for a number of mosquito-transmitted pathogens
including the viruses that can cause human illness such as Eastern Equine
Encephalitis (EEE), Highlands J (a precursor indicator virus for EEE), and West
Nile Encephalitis. Surveillance for the above-mentioned pathogens varies from
state to state but includes the following:
- Population density measurements of potential vector
mosquito species
- Monitoring of meteorological events
- Prevalence of infected mosquitoes in field
samples
- Virus activity in the preceding year in an
adjacent surveillance region
- Regular serological testing of sentinel vertebrates
- Isolation of virus from wild or sentinel
vertebrates
- Monitoring human cases of mosquito-transmitted
disease
B. SOURCE REDUCTION. Source reduction (the removal or reduction
of larval mosquito habitats) typically is the most effective method of mosquito
control. Economically speaking, source reduction is preferred since it
permanently eliminates a mosquito breeding source which otherwise would require
repeated, and increasingly expensive, pesticide applications. Long-term source reduction can be as simple
as overturning a discarded bucket or disposing of a waste tire or as complex as
water level manipulations in marshes. Source reduction often minimizes, and in
many cases eliminates, the need for mosquito larviciding in the affected
habitat with the added benefit of a reduction in adulticiding in nearby
residential areas. Source reduction, as a mosquito control strategy,
incorporates numerous activities including the removal of waste debris
(sanitation) and Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM), all of which result in
significant mosquito control when properly planned based on adequate
surveillance data.
SANITATION.
Discarded containers and tires are capable of producing mosquitoes, including
species that can transmit several forms of mosquito- borne pathogens.
Sanitation resulting in the removal of water-holding debris is a continual
process that successfully eliminates man-made mosquito breeding. Typically,
such mosquito control-related sanitation efforts are best accomplished by
individuals who, through their own carelessness, create mosquito-breeding
problems on their own property. Many mosquito control agencies distribute
educational materials which target these individuals as in an effort to
teach them the importance of sanitation as it relates to mosquito control
around their homes.
1.
OPEN
MARSH WATER MANAGEMENT (OMWM). The ditching of salt marshes (i.e., drainage)
as a form of source reduction for mosquito control has been used since the
early 1900's. A more environmentally-compatible source reduction
technique which is applied to many coastal areas of the U.S. and other
countries is called Open Marsh Water Management. OMWM is a strategy
whereby larval mosquito-breeding locations on the marsh surface are identified
and connected to deeper water habitat (e.g., tidal creeks, deep ditches) using
shallow ditches. In areas where multiple mosquito-breeding depressions
occur, shallow ponds are created. Mosquito broods are thus controlled without
pesticides by allowing larvivorous fish access to
these mosquito-producing depressions or conversely by the tidal of these
locations before adult mosquitoes can emerge. OMWM has the added
advantage of improving the hydrologic connections between the marsh, and the
associated estuary, providing natural resource enhancement as well as mosquito
control benefits. OMWM is considered more environmentally acceptable than
systematic drainage or pesticide applications because the shallow ponds and
ditches decrease the occurrence of unnatural hydrologic impacts to the marsh.
2.
In recent years, aggressive interagency
cooperation involving environmental resource agencies and private organizations
working in conjunction with mosquito control agencies has resulted in very
successful salt marsh management for both mosquito control and natural resource
restoration concerns.
C. LARVICIDING. Larviciding (the
application of insecticides to kill mosquito larvae or pupae employing ground
or aerial equipment), although less permanent than source reduction, is
typically more effective and more target-specific than adulticiding.
Several materials in various formulations are labeled for mosquito larviciding
and include "biorational" larvicides - Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) (two bacterial larvicides), and methoprene
(Altosid®, an insect growth regulator), larvicidal oils (Golden Bear® -
petroleum based and Bonide® - mineral based), and a
monomolecular surface film (Agnique).
An important goal, when applying these larvicides, is to use
products that are as specific as possible for mosquito larvae thus minimizing
impacts to non-target organisms. In addition, these products must, in many
instances, be capable of penetrating dense vegetative canopies. Towards these
ends, larvicide formulations such as liquids and granules must be appropriate
to the habitat being treated, accurately applied and based on surveillance
data.
An effective larviciding program is an important part of an integrated mosquito
control operation. Accuracy of these applications is important since
missing even a relatively small area can result in the emergence of a large
mosquito brood resulting in the need for more broad-scale adulticiding.
Aerial
larviciding has greatly reduced or eliminated the need for routine adulticide
applications in some coastal and inland areas.
D. ADULTICIDING. Adulticiding (the application of insecticides to kill adult
mosquitoes by ground or aerial applications) is usually the least efficient
mosquito control technique and frequently is used as a last resort.
Nevertheless, adulticiding, based on surveillance data, is an extremely
important part of any IPM program and should be undertaken utilizing the
minimum amount of insecticide that will be effective in controlling the target
mosquito species. Adulticides are typically applied as an Ultra-Low-Volume
(ULV) application where small amounts of insecticide are dispensed by properly
maintained and calibrated truck-mounted equipment or from fixed-wing or rotary
aircraft.
Mosquito adulticiding differs fundamentally from efforts to
control many other adult insects. For adult mosquito control, insecticide
must drift through the habitat in which mosquitoes are "on-the-wing"
(i.e., flying - frequently in residential areas) in order to provide optimal
control benefits. This technique, however, has been criticized because of
the potential for impacts to non-target organisms. This is a constant
consideration for control programs, and the use of adulticides must be used
judiciously. Even with this concern, experience has shown that adulticides when
properly applied, have minimal impacts on non-target
organisms while providing an important public health, economic and
quality of life benefits to local citizens.
Adulticides labeled for mosquito control in the NE include natural pyrethrins,
synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin, resmethrin and sumithrin), organophosphates
(malathion, naled and fenthion)
and a carbamate (bendiocarb).
E. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. Biological control (=biocontrol)
employs biological organisms, or their by-products, to control pests, in this
case insect pests. Biocontrol is popular in theory because of its
potential to be host-specific with virtually no non-target effects.
Overall, larvivorous fish are the most extensively
used biocontrol agent for mosquito control. Predacious fish, typically Gambusia species, which occur naturally
in many aquatic habitats, can be introduced into permanent and/or
semi-permanent water bodies where mosquito larvae occur providing some measure
of control. Other species of larvivorous fishes
native to New England, including species of sunfish, freshwater killifish and other
minnows should be researched for efficacy and hardiness and reared and stocked
in appropriate areas.
F. EDUCATION. Education is a primary goal of the
NMCA. We are concerned with both the education of the membership as well
as the general public. The education of
Association members is conducted primarily through an annual meeting and
quarterly newsletters, as well as committee meetings and informal
meetings. Members are strongly encouraged to publish findings of
pertinent research and operational control strategies in peer-reviewed journals
and other media. Many of our members distribute this information by conducting
educational programs on the local level as well. These members visit
schools, speak at civic meetings, man booths at health fairs and other public
events, and conduct one-on-one education with property owners wherever a
problem may exist.
IV. NMCA'S SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. The NMCA
has a long history of supporting environmental stewardship and many of our
members have made great strides in this area. The following are examples
of this work in relation to the activities listed in the AMCA background
document (July 2000).
1. Implementation of environmentally-sound source
reduction techniques.
Following the lead of mosquito control in New Jersey, several
states throughout New England have employed the use of OMWM with great success.
OMWM techniques have evolved into a more integrated approach of wetland
management to become widely recognized not only for mosquito source reduction
but also for their restoration qualities in reducing or eliminating the
invasive common reed (Phragmites), enhancing wetland wildlife habitat
and restoring severely degraded salt marshes.
In 1996, OMWM efforts were awarded the Massachusetts Wetlands
Restoration award in recognition of 450 acres of salt marsh restored. OMWM project partnerships with agencies such
as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, MA DEP Wetlands
Restoration Program, New England Interstate Commission, US Army Corps of
Engineers Coastal America Program, CT Office of Long Island Sound Programs,
EPA's 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Program, Ducks Unlimited, and others have
generated significant mosquito control and wetlands preservation interests. Cooperative efforts with EPA have assisted in
the installation and related hydrological connections of 12 Self-Regulating
Tide Gates (SRT) in Massachusetts, more than in all of New England combined.
2. Continuing education of mosquito workers.
One of the objectives of the Northeastern Mosquito Control
Association, as defined in the enabling constitution, is the education of its
members. The NMCA organizes an annual
meeting at which up-to-date vector research from academic institutions as well
as the field studies and operational information are offered to the
members. Attendance at this meeting has
been approved by many member states as qualifying for continuing education
credits towards a pesticide applicator's license. In addition to the annual meeting the NMCA
publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Northeaster, that
contains updates on work being conducted throughout the region and other
pertinent submitted articles.
3. Public education.
Members of the NMCA routinely organize informational sessions for
the public. Many of the member mosquito
control agencies have outreach programs that they conduct in the local school
systems. The NMCA is in the process of developing standardized information that
can be provided to educators. Many
mosquito control programs also have written pamphlets for distribution to
homeowners and the general public that detail commonly asked questions about
mosquitoes, personal protection, insecticides and other methods used in
mosquito control, and mosquito-borne diseases. NMCA, as well as the individual
member states, also have web sites with useful information and links to other
sites.
4.
Surveillance of mosquito-transmitted pathogens.
Many members of the NMCA are public health officials whose primary
job is to conduct surveillance of mosquito-transmitted pathogens in their
respective states. Information presented
at the annual meeting by these members allows the employees of mosquito
districts to enhance the surveillance already being conducted by public health
agencies. Individual mosquito control
agencies buy or build and deploy traps each year to monitor adult mosquito
populations and examine species composition.
Collections of mosquito species of public health importance can then be
submitted to health agencies for testing.