http://www.sccgov.org/sites/vector/Documents/2012.08.09-Fogging-FAQ.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Fogging to Control Adult Mosquitoes
Q. What type of insecticide is used by Santa Clara County Vector Control District (SCCVCD)?
A. Two materials will be utilized; pyrethrin, a botanical derivative, is one of the active ingredients we use to suppress flying adult mosquitoes and new, EPA “reduced risk” product called Zenivex ® (active ingredient etofenprox), a lower toxicity pyrethroid. Piperonyl butoxide is added to the pyrethrin fogging solution to enhance the pyrethrin’s effectiveness, which results in less pyrethrin being used. Zenivex is applied without the synergist.
Q. How will these insecticides affect me and my family?
A. At the rates that fogging products are applied in Santa Clara County, only ¾ to one fluid ounce per acre, there should be no significant risk to you or your family. Generally, there is no need to relocate during mosquito control fogging. Pyrethrins are used at much higher rates to treat head lice on children. Individuals having chemical sensitivities may want to consult their physician or local health department for advice.
Q. Will these products affect pets?
A. Pyrethrin is commonly used to treat dogs and cats for fleas and ticks and has a history of safety when applied according to the label. Both products are toxic to fish, however at the low rates at which they are applied and the fact that they are not applied directly to water provides a significant margin of safety to fish. Covering your fish pond is always your option. Due to a slightly different mode of action, Zenivex has a much lower toxicity to mammals and is also low toxicity to birds.
Q. Will the ground fogging affect my lawn furniture, play equipment, toys, garden plants, etc?
A. Fogging applications are made in the very early morning hours or late evening hours. The materials used break down rapidly in sunlight the next day. Washing down lawn furniture, children’s play equipment and toys, fruits etc. with water after fogging applications certainly cannot hurt. These products do not cause any damage to car surfaces.
Q. How can I receive notification of foggings?
A. You can sign up on our Yahoo adulticide fogging notification service at http://www.sccVector.org for announcements and to receive the fogging schedule. Additionally, prior to ground fogging, households in the area will also have SCCVCD’s advance notification delivered directly to their doors.
Q. Where can I get additional information regarding specific insecticides?
A. Questions concerning specific insecticides can be directed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (visit www.epa.gov and type in pyrethrin or etofenprox in the search box). More information can also be found at the National Pesticide Information Center ‐ NPIC (http://npic.orst.edu) or toll‐free: 1‐800‐858‐7378. A University of
California toxicologist’s view on the matter of WNV and pesticides can be found on the following web site. (http://extoxnet.orst.edu/newsletters/ucd2005/nltrSpecialEdition05.html)
Q. Does Santa Clara Vector Control District (SCCVCD) comply with provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)?
A. Yes. However, it has been determined that activities of the SCCVCD are categorically and statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality Act. The District is also working on a Program Environmental Impact Report, which should be finalized next year. The District submits reports on all of its pesticide applications to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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