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#1- Control of Breeding within
the Boundaries of Fair Harbor
The control of breeding is the
first line of defense in limiting the effects of adult mosquitoes within
our Community. The actions planned for this purpose are as follows:
Promote natural reduction of mosquito larvae in temporary standing water
from rainwater runoff.
Prevent mosquito larvae from reaching adulthood.
Action Plan#1
Treatment of mosquito larvae in standing freshwater throughout Fair Harbor
with Vectolex by Suffolk County Vector Control. Vectolex alters the life
cycle of the mosquito larvae and prevents it from reaching adulthood.
Considerations / Action Taken /
Necessary
Suffolk
County Vector Control has certified additional personnel. Our success of
obtaining Vectolex applications depends on the willingness, budget,
priority, manpower, and perceived public health risk level.
Notify residents of planned activity to apply Vectolex, and seek to gain
permission to
apply material in and around private property. The need to apply on
private property is crucial since all of the standing water is under
private homes (Vectolex on 8/7 and 7/11, ongoing, almost completed)
Action Plan#2
Apply Bti. dunks to houses with temporary standing water (approx 10 to
15).
Considerations / Action Taken /
Necessary
Determine
the definition of temporary standing water. At times many properties may
have standing water depending upon tide levels and rainfall. Since
mosquito larvae need 3 to 5 days to develop (subject to ambient
temperature) a property that has water for less than 3 to 4 days should
not be considered to keep unnecessary treatment down.
Obtain
written approval from affected homeowners for application (partially
done).
Obtain
bids from licensed pesticide applicators to treat those identified houses
with BTI rings in an efficient and cost-effective manner (waiting for bids
and DEC letter).
Contact
DEC to obtain Non-Wetlands letter (waiting).
Attempt
to roll the cost of the BTI applications into the Medical District.
Seek to
convince DEC that the health risks far outweigh the questionable
environmental regulations prohibiting BTI distribution by the
FHCA.
Action Plan #3
Determine
the position of the community concerning the acceptance of systemic
pesticide applications. Develop / vote on acceptable and clear standards
for requesting systemic pesticide applications. Needs to be revisited as
circumstances change.
Considerations / Action Taken /
Necessary
Application of systemic pesticides to control mosquitoes is the most
invasive method of control. Systemic pesticides may kill all insects,
whether beneficial or nuisance insects. The benefit is only short-term and
perhaps will last only one week requiring repeat applications. Therefore,
repeated applications will wipe out most of the natural insect eco-systems
and also affect birds and mammals indirectly. Control professionals
consider the application of systemic pesticides as a method of last
resort.
Vector
Control is willing to come to Fair Harbor to apply
ANVIL or
Scourge upon request by the community. But also stated that if the
applicators experience opposition, they will retreat.
Votes
held on 7/23/00 (present: a good showing of members and non-members):
Vote 1: A
majority voted to rescind the FHCA letter to
Suffolk County Vector Control to prevent the spraying/application of any
systemic pesticides (I.E. Malathion etc.)
Four participants voted against.
Vote 2: A
majority voted down to request systemic spraying if
West Nile is found on the Long Island
South Shore and/or Fire Island.
Vote 3: A
majority voted to request systemic spraying if West Nile was found in the
Town of Islip and / or Fire Island.
Please be aware that the FHCA is made up of individuals
volunteering their time and effort. No guarantee is made or implied that
the above outlined goals and outcomes will be achieved. Any action plan is
subject to the manpower available and the willingness of outside agencies
to cooperate and share information in a timely fashion. The FHCA does not
recommend or disapprove the use of any pesticide or treatment. Homeowners
are solely responsible for any action taken on their property and should
consult appropriate authorities (DEC, EPA, FINS, Islip, Suffolk County
Department of Health and others) with any questions concerning the
efficacy and advisability of any treatment, pesticides, health or public
safety questions. Permits may be required by various agencies and should
obtained in advance. |
