Mosquitoes are a bane in
almost every part of the world, no thanks to human activity that
allowed them to spread literally everywhere except Antarctica.
Practically speaking, it is impossible to eliminate them from every
house permanently, but a new technology may provide just that. As of
August 2012, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) permitted the
use of mosquito misting systems in US households. Misting systems
regularly blanket the surrounding area with mosquito-repelling
pesticide.
Depending on the
manufacturer and/or service provider, these systems may be activated
manually or automatically. Moreover, the EPA recommends that
homeowners check if their home state has specific regulations
regarding the use of pesticides. The EPA also tells people that,
although effective, misting systems shouldn't be solely relied on for
warding off mosquitoes. Instead, the agency recommends using these
systems in tandem with other mosquito control practices (e.g.
eliminating sources of stagnant water, yard maintenance, etc.).
Still,
the efficiency
of misting systems can't be denied and they are a useful addition
to any community-based mosquito management program. Permethrin and
pyrethrins,
the primary ingredients in pesticides used by most residential
misting systems, are highly effective in killing mosquitoes while
remaining relatively safe for humans. However, these chemicals also
have the potential to kill beneficial insects such as honeybees and
butterflies, so the EPA recommends care in their use.
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