Mosquito plane starts swampland spray
(CNS): The Mosquito Research & Control Unit (MRCU) will be conducting aerial operations over mosquito-breeding swamp areas on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac from Tuesday, 2nd September, officials have said. The operation will involve low-level flights during the mornings and late afternoons. The operation will start in Grand Cayman in the area of West Bay and finish on the north side of the island, then move to Cayman Brac. Weather permitting the operation should be complete within ten days. Some 12,000 acres of swamp are targeted in this operation in Grand Cayman, 320 acres in Cayman Brac and 475 acres in Little Cayman were which was sprayed last week due to elevated mosquito breeding there.
“The distinctive red and white MRCU aircraft will be applying the small pellets specifically designed to target mosquito larvae developing in aquatic habitats; this means preventing the occurrence of biting mosquitoes,” officials said. “Once the rains begin the pellets are activated and will provide control for up to two months. Low-level flights over specific areas are necessary to ensure that correct application and successful control of mosquitoes is achieved.”
This is the second island-wide treatment this year and officials hope it will assist in providing control through to the month of October as the rainfall starts to increase. A third treatment will follow as the chemical activity wears off.
Further information can be found on the Mosquito Research & Control Unit’s Facebook page or website (www.mrcu.ky). A daily update of the areas being treated will also be available on those sites. Please feel free to call MRCU with any enquiries on 949-2557.
Category: Science and Nature
I do not believe for a second that this constant chemical attack on our heads is not the culprit for the high incidence of cancer in these islands. Add to that the fogging truck and the regular pestkilling of houses and condos and it is an excessive amount of chemicals on our environment. Pesticides manufacturers obviously ensure us their products are safe, but only IF used in moderation and in the right way. I think this issue is a time bomb in Cayman.
Can anyone tell us exactly what they are spraying us with? What is in the fog and what is in the pellets? CNS?
The plane isn't 'spraying', it is dropping Altosid pellets. http://www.centralmosquitocontrol.com/altosid.php
It contains an insect growth regulator, which is specific to mosquitos. Given the Cayman Islands' lack of regulatory oversight regarding chemicals, I am leery of any governmental use and application of same, however in this case, I believe the product to be profoundly beneficial and not harmful to waterfowl, fish, reptiles, amphibians, beneficial insects nor mammals. Your mileage may vary. I encourage you to do your own research on this product as I have done.
How did you determine it was Altosid? The only thing I could find on the mrcu web site was Temefos (sp?)…
Whatever it is, it seems to be making the bees sick and confused which can't be a good sign.
what about the guys on the road, I hope there not at the barber shop instead of doing their jobs?
What a photo! Biggest damn mosquito I ever seen!