Complying With New EPA Requirements For Mosquito Control

By Juniper Systems

The ever growing mosquito population throughout the world continues to be a problem concerning public health. Despite being an annoyance and having a negative impact on communities, mosquitoes pose a legitimate threat to the human population by transmitting serious and harmful diseases. These diseases include several viruses, including West Nile Virus, and others, such as Dengue.

Within the United States, mosquito control programs are implemented to help reduce the negative impact of mosquitoes. Methods include, but are not limited to, adulticide, larvacide, and surveillance. Each of the aforementioned mosquito control methods utilizes pesticides to control populations. Pesticides often have detrimental effects on humans and other living organisms, resulting in many laws and regulations dictating the appropriate use of specific pesticides.

In 2006, the EPA ruled that Clean Water Act (CWA) permits were not required in order to discharge pesticides in or around water. Earlier this year, that ruling was vacated, stating that pesticides are pollutants to U.S. waters. As a result, the Pesticides General Permit (PGP) was developed and is now required to be obtained by any operating entity responsible for discharging pesticides in or around water by April 10, 2011.