Mosquito Spraying, Major Threat To Monarch Butterflies, Bees, Dragonflies, Other Predator Insects, Scheduled For Tonight In Certain Staten Island Areas

Editor’s note: According to the Center For Biodiversity, one of the largest threats to Monarch Butterfly populations is pesticide spraying.  In addition, while they are legitimately threatened and should be on the Endangered Species List for protection, the US Fish and Wildlife Service decided to postpone their inclusion indefinitely:

“Across their range, monarchs are threatened by pesticides, climate change, ongoing suburban sprawl, and fragmented and poisoned habitats as they navigate their way across the continent….

“Unfortunately in December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that monarchs’ protection was “warranted but precluded” — meaning that although its scientists found that monarchs needed Endangered Species Act protection, that protection was being postponed indefinitely, with no safeguards for the species in the meantime.

And these beautiful butterflies are still declining. With the monarch population well below the thresholds at which government scientists predict the migrations could collapse, in 2020 the Center and more than 100 other groups called on Congress to significantly increase funding to $100 million per year to help conserve monarch butterflies and their habitat…

“The plummeting population of these familiar butterflies, along with the decline of many other butterflies and bees, threatens the wellbeing of people too, since the food security of humans is dependent on the ecological services that pollinators provide. Monarch butterflies and their epic migration could disappear unless people take rapid action to protect them.”

In our article about the Anthropocene Age and its widespread destruction of habitats, insects, and animals, as well as our interview with Doug Tallamy, founder of Homegrown National Park, we discussed the ways in which these broad spectrum insecticides are devastating to monarch butterflies, other butterflies, bees, predator insects, and others.  Mosquitos, whose populations rebound almost immediately, it has very little effect on. 

Next Scheduled Events

July 24

Notice of July 24 Mosquito Spraying (PDF, posted July 18)

• Borough: Staten Island
  • ZIP Codes: 10307, 10309, 10312, and 10314
  • Neighborhoods: Annadale, Arden Heights, Aspen Knolls, Charleston, Eltingville, Greenridge, Huguenot, Pleasant Plains, Prince’s Bay, Rossville, Southeast Annadale, Tottenville, Village Greens and Woodrow
  • Map: Locations of July 24 Mosquito Spraying in Staten Island (JPG)

The Health Department monitors mosquito populations and applies pesticides during the summer. These methods reduce the number of mosquitoes and lessen the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus.

Residents are required to eliminate standing water (PDF) from their property to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

The Health Department uses two methods of pesticide application:

• • Adulticide: Trucks spray this pesticide to kill adult mosquitoes. It is used when testing has shown a high risk to human health. Spraying occurs in the evening in residential areas and parks.

• Aerial Larviciding: Helicopters drop eco-friendly larvicide over marshes and other large natural areas to kill young mosquitoes before they become adults. The City does not use helicopters to treat residential areas.

The Health Department follows City, State and Federal laws when applying pesticides. We do not accept requests for pesticide application.

Banner Image: Aerial plane ready to spray pesticide. Image Credit – Stones

NYC Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the department of the government of New York City responsible for public health along with issuing birth certificates, dog licenses, and conducting restaurant inspection and enforcement. The New York City Board of Health is part of the department. Its regulations are compiled in title 24 of the New York City Rules (the New York City Health Code). Since March 2022, the commissioner has been Ashwin Vasan.