Controversy Surrounding Aerial Spraying

In many communities in Massachusetts, it is coming time again for aerial mosquito spraying. Trucks or even planes will cross towns at night, releasing a toxic fog over homes and ecological habitats. Massachusetts uses a insecticide product called "Anvil 10+10". This product is actually commonly used in both commercial and home practices of exterminating insects. However, despite this, many communities this year are opting out of the routine spraying. Many claim fears of the chemicals in the insecticide having harmful effects on their or their pets health and also on local habitats.

 Bill Mehaffey Jr., the superintendent of the Northeast mosquito district begs to differ. He claims that "the chemicals used in the spray have low toxicity and have been tested and approved by several state agencies as safe for use around humans and household pets." Although it is true that the public does have some false information on what's being sprayed in their communities, they are not wrong when worrying about the welfare of their neighboring ecological environments.

Beekeepers across the state have been up in arms about the mosquito spraying that have been killing off so many of their precious honeybees. Honeybees pollinate growing crops, flowers, and plants, and without them, all vegetation based food would be eradicated, causing a catastrophe for the human race. Over the past decade, honeybee population worldwide has dropped by the millions. The beekeepers in Massachusetts have every right to be alarmed by the poisonous spraying that is exterminating a vital part of human survival. Not only that, but the insecticide has a negative chain reaction when introduced into an ecological environment. Jane Wild, vice-president of the Essex County Beekeeper Association explains that, “Not only is it fatal to honeybees, but to fish, other aquatic life and the birds. We are setting things out of balance. The fish eat the mosquitoes, their eggs and larvae and the birds get exposed to the pesticide. We are all players in the chain of life. We unwisely try to address problems with use of chemicals.”

It is clear to see that Massachusetts needs to rethink it's widespread use of toxic aerial spraying if it wishes to protect it's natural resources that are so essential to overall human welfare