Mosquito Control

Summer is here and with it comes sunny days, warm nights, cool breezes, and that all too familiar “zzzzt” sound in the air — mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are an evitable annoyance during the summer months, but these tiny pests can also pose a big threat to the health of our horses.

Mosquito bites can be more than just irritating; they can also carry harmful viruses. Abroviruses, such as West Nile Virus (WNV), are mosquito born diseases that are transferred from the bite of an infected mosquito. The chances of being infected by WNV is rare, but cases in humans and horses have been reported in Ontario. It is important to keep mosquitoes at bay to avert hazards like WNV; however, it Is equally important that we use ecological preventives.

Toxic Repellents

Ready-to-use spray repellents are one of the most commonly — used methods _ to prevent mosquitoes from biting horses. Unfortunately, most insecticides and repellents generally contain permethrin which is a man- made chemical that works by damaging the central nervous system of the insect. Permethrin is known to be effective against mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, bedbugs, and chiggers. Unfortunately, it is also exceptionally hazardous to our environment as it is extremely toxic to beneficial insects like honey bees and to fish, aquatic insects, and cats.

It is important that permethrin repellents are not used around bodies of water because permethrin is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic insects. These repellents should never be applied near ponds, lakes or streams and it is important to avoid washing clothing and tack treated with permethrin in lakes, rivers, and ponds. You also want to avoid discharging water that has come into contact with permethrin down water drains.

In addition, permethrin is extremely toxic to cats and these repellents should never to be sprayed on or near cats. Be sure to avoid allowing barn cats to sleep on blankets, bandages, or clothing that has been sprayed with repellents. As well, you should never spray repellents on dogs that will be in contact with cats. There is no specific antidote for cats that suffer from permethrin poisoning.

Eco-friendly Alternatives

Instead of using harmful repellents, implement an ecological mosquito control plan around your farm to keep your horse and the environment safe. Your eco- friendly mosquito control plan should include three steps: prevent, “repel and destroy.

Mosquitoes do not travel very far during their lifetime; in fact, their life-cycle generally takes place over a number of weeks within a 100 sq yd_ area. Eliminating mosquito breeding grounds will help prevent mosquitoes around your farm. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so it is important to check all sources of standing water around your farm and remove water that builds up in old tires, rain barrels, eavestroughs, blocked drains, etc. In addition, stagnant water troughs should be cleaned regularly and checked for mosquito larvae.

Instead of using hazardous permethrin based repellents, there are natural substances that work to repel mosquitoes. For example, garlic is known to be a natural deterrent to mosquitoes. Spraying a garlic based product around your farm will vacate mosquitoes in the area and will keep them away from the sprayed area for up to 6 weeks. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the odour; it will dissipate in 4-5 hours. However, it should be noted that scientific studies have not been published to support the feeding of garlic to horses to repel mosquitoes.

It is important to avoid using harmful insecticides and repellents on your farm, and instead choose to employ an eco-friendly mosquito control method. In addition, it is also important to speak to your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse again West Nile Virus and other equine aborviruses. For more information about West Nile Virus please visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) website www.omafra.gov.on.ca. For =~ more information about eco- fica mosquito control products please contact Bill Milne or Ellen Koch at alexmiln@idirect.com or 1-800-563-5947.

(Alex Milne Associates Ltd. is an OEF Industry Member and Silver Partner. Partly owned by the Ontario government, Alex Milne Associates Ltd. is a considered a leader in the global environmental industry and offers an equine line of environmentally friendly products called “Just Add Horses” through True Serve Hardware network and Country Depot stores.)