Not many decades ago, it was commonplace for children to chase the mosquito control truck, running in the street and frolicking in its spray. Those days are long gone, and even though mosquito control products have become safer over the years, we’re all more careful about what we may be breathing in or letting touch our skin.

Mosquito spraying and residential mosquito treatments are critically important for protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities from mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. But how safe are the products we use? And how effective are they?

Is Mosquito Spraying Safe For Humans?

Community spraying and home treatments for mosquitoes are regulated by the EPA and deemed safe for humans. Commonly used products have a low toxicity level, and some pest control companies, like East End Tick Control®, go out of their way to ensure the safety of your family, your pets, and the environment.

Still, it is advisable to stay indoors when spraying takes place and to avoid inhaling or having direct contact with any outdoor mosquito treatment. Inhaling large quantities of mosquito products can lead to skin, eye, and throat irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness, and vomiting. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues should avoid direct exposure. Fortunately, the ingredients in these products break down in the body, and these rare symptoms typically resolve quickly with no lasting buildup.

After spraying or yard treatment, remain indoors or avoid the area for about 30 minutes; the spray will have settled by that time. As with any pest control treatment, these precautions also apply to your pets. Bring them inside during spraying, and keep them away from sprayed areas for at least a half-hour.

How Effective Is Mosquito Spraying?

Spraying is an essential component of mosquito abatement. To understand the effectiveness of spraying and other treatments, it’s critical to know what they do and don’t accomplish.

Both community spraying and home treatments kill the mosquitoes they touch. These treatments then settle and leave a residue that repels other mosquitoes that would otherwise populate the area. Spray-based treatments are most effective at killing mosquitoes at dawn and dusk when they are most active.

A treatment will temporarily reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area, but it is not a permanent solution. The battle against mosquitoes is an ongoing one, and treatments need to be reapplied on a regular schedule throughout the mosquito season. Some other things you can do to provide a less hospitable environment for mosquitoes are:

Clear any standing water from your property,
Keep your yard free of debris that might attract mosquitoes,
Add mosquito-repelling plants to your landscape,
Avoid letting mosquito-harboring thatch build up on your lawn,
Use yellow outdoor LED lighting instead of white light.

How Long Does It Take For Mosquito Treatments To Work?

Both public spraying and home treatments work quickly. Mosquitos should decrease dramatically within 24 hours. Adulticide treatments kill flying mosquitoes immediately and will repel other mosquitoes for at least several weeks. Larvicide treatments kill larvae that hatch from eggs. Larvicides work within 24-48 hours and can last several months or more, depending upon the product and method of application.

East End Tick Control® Eliminates Mosquitoes

Residential treatments are an integral component of overall mosquito abatement. By keeping your yard mosquito-free, you can help prevent the spread of diseases like EEE, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. At East End Tick and Mosquito Control®, we are proud to say that all of our options are family and pet safe. For those residents living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you live closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you.