Zika Virus St. Croix

I second that Sparty.

(tu)

Citronella oil has a short time it is viable for due to its high rate of volatility. 30-60 minutes before effectiveness wears off. The people promoting anything other than deet or picaradin should be held criminally and financially liable for the costs both monetarily and physically for diseases caused by insect vectors that they promote with the nonsense based natural bullsh!t.

http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/mosquitosite/repellents-for-application-to-skin/

I love the bat show Ms. Platenburg has at Magens but her suggestions do not get rid of Mosquitos. You will also see the peddlers of woo here selling some bs "natural" insect repellent as well. When mosquitos become a public health threat it's time to bring out the chemical control.

Sparta: I believe she said "spray your closet, not the forest", not that she eschews chemical controls completely.

P.S. I believe it is Dr. Platenberg...;)

I love the bat show Ms. Platenburg has at Magens but her suggestions do not get rid of Mosquitos. You will also see the peddlers of woo here selling some bs "natural" insect repellent as well. When mosquitos become a public health threat it's time to bring out the chemical control.

Sparta: I believe she said "spray your closet, not the forest", not that she eschews chemical controls completely.

P.S. I believe it is Dr. Platenberg...;)

Appeal to authority notwithstanding, fogging CAN play a role in reducing transmission of disease. Not alone yes, but to eschew the idea because you are worried about upward mobility issues with frogs and birds is crap the doesn't flush in my book

I would be so sick to my stomach if the islands decide to bomb. Maybe literally. It would cause a MAJOR problems with our flora and fauna and who knows long term effects. I know it sounds harsh but these viruses are just mother natures way of culling a species that is out of control. US. They have always been here - and will continue to be here, evolve - morph into new viruses and cull more humans. This is nothing new. Mosquitos are MASSIVE pollinators of our fruit and flowers here. We may not like them but they are 100% imperative to the health of these islands. Wear bug spray, I prefer the natural stuff - and reapply often - keep your area around you house picked up and sleep under nets. It still shocks me that none of my friends sleep under nets. We have since day 1 - mostly because I can't deal with the bussing in my ears but we are also the only ones we know of, besides you Alana that didn't get Chick.

Let's not forget the fogging would not only affect flora and fauna but all of the pesticides that we use, along with everything else, ends up in our waters and effect our corals and sealife. It all runs downhill, folks.

Not good for people with allergies and respiratory problems.
Less so for beneficial bugs, etc.
Pesticides are non discriminatory.

I don't use a mosquito net. Never have. I leave my screens and courtyard doors open, unless the mosquitoes get really bad.
I do use bug spray in house when necessary and other natural products/plants as repellents.

Not saying that's what's kept me from getting the chikengunya.
Personally, I think I lucked out and very happy that I did as many friends were hit hard and for a very long time.

A trick I learned for helping perfume last was to put a tiny bit of
Vaseline on the spots where I would apply perfume prior to application. It seems to help natural repellents last longer as well.

Did you know peppermint oil repells mice?
There are many natural plants and oils that work just as well as harmful chemicals and pesticides.

We do need to change how we treat our environment.

Culling the population? This is why I gave up on the environmentalists. Heaven forbid we cull the population of Mosquitos FFS. I used to run with them. They are deranged ideologues.

".... but we are also the only ones we know of, besides you Alana that didn't get Chick."

Let's not get carried away with hyperbole. Seriously, EVERYBODY else you know of was diagnosed with chikungunya?

How to cut off the spread of a Zika virus - CNN https://apple.news/Arkrf9wVcTQKJA4DBkgeGAg

Actually OT - yes. All of my close friends many who loved in northstar near me got Chick. Almost everyone I can think of in Hull Bay that I hang with did. Many of them still have issues even a year later now - ankles and necks. Two were hospitalized but one was older and was getting over the flu and the other had other health issues. Even my landlord got it. I am sure not everyone on island got it - clearly as we didn't - but all of my friends, yes they did, all from northside.

So everyone you know got Chikungunya, some are still experiencing problems, the Aedes aegyptia mosquito has been responsible for more deaths than all wars combined, they are infrequent pollinators (they are nectar thieves if anything and the fact they are feeding on nectar results in shorter life cycle), yet you are against using any tool we have to stop them?

I don't think there is any issue with eradicating these species because they are invasive from Africa. The issue is with the chemical methods we have available. The more modern GM and others can be effective but costly and take time. They could prevent future issues but aren't suitable for outbreaks. They require a lot of time to establish and are costly. The Gates approach (eliminatedengue.com) just showed some ideas of using the community instead of paid employees. Looks really promising.

Any tool? No. Especially if it kills maybe millions of other species and possibly be bad for the actual people its trying to save.

Sparty, its pretty clear you are a humanitarian - I am not. I believe that WE are the problem with this entire planet and yes I believe that mother nature will someday maybe soon cull us back down to manageable levels. She's trying but damn it we are a smart species. I am doing my part and not reproducing. You don't have to agree with it - wont try to convince you. Our planet is in big trouble that should be proof enough.

You believe humans above all. Thats cool - just not worth arguing as we have two WAY different stances.

And yes they are nectar eaters - just like bats, hummingbirds, moths and butterflies... ALL that pollinate the mangos (and other fruit) we love so much. If its not Dengue - its Chick - Zika - then the next and next and next. It will never go away. Thats the nature of viruses, always evolving.

Any tool? No. Especially if it kills maybe millions of other species and possibly be bad for the actual people its trying to save.

Sparty, its pretty clear you are a humanitarian - I am not. I believe that WE are the problem with this entire planet and yes I believe that mother nature will someday maybe soon cull us back down to manageable levels. She's trying but damn it we are a smart species. I am doing my part and not reproducing. You don't have to agree with it - wont try to convince you. Our planet is in big trouble that should be proof enough.

You believe humans above all. Thats cool - just not worth arguing as we have two WAY different stances.

And yes they are nectar eaters - just like bats, hummingbirds, moths and butterflies... ALL that pollinate the mangos (and other fruit) we love so much. If its not Dengue - its Chick - Zika - then the next and next and next. It will never go away. Thats the nature of viruses, always evolving.

(tu)(tu)(tu)

(tu)(tu)(tu)(tu)

Wow! That was amazing! I always thought that one didnt have children for themselves. I had no idea so many people were trying to save the planet. But who will be left too worry about all the cats and dogs?

(tu) at the not reproducing part. I wish more people were that way.

Mosquitoes cause more than 1 million human deaths a year. If you are for lowering the population of humans on earth then just keep some standing water all around your house and quit using any pesticides. They are quite effective in culling human and animal population because they are wonderful at spreading virus. Wonderful creatures that help with all the population control. Mother Earth will thrive without all us humans. Close your eyes and imagine it. You can only imagine because we won't be here to enjoy it.

Millions of other species? Umm first there aren't millions of species here. Secondly, they advancements in chemical treatments from DDT are pretty amazing. Low rates. Target specific. Do not move up the food chain. I really can't believe that people are out there with a Mosquito Lives Matters mindset. We are smart. That is why we will eliminate Aedes aegyptia from the planet and no one will miss it. Well except those who were supposed to be culled. More mouths to feed, good thing we have GMO crops to save us.

Sparty,
I grew up here and remember the fogging trucks/DDT
Kids used to think it was cool to run behind them and would chase the trucks.
The population and neighborhoods were much smaller then.
Most people lived in and around town.
The residential areas weren't as vast and spread out as they are now.
Once you got up Raphune Hill, you were in the country.
Red Hook had a minuscule population.
There was no Tutu Park mall.
There were no unsightly strip malls, such as they are.
Homes were few and far between.
There were vast areas of unpopulated land.
There was town and there was country.
There were a couple of small beach hotels.
There was a vibrant community.
All that has changed as it has in other places.

I don't know what the answer is to combating the Zika virus which seems to be blowing up. Is it Nature's way of saying "y'all best stop breeding?" Who knows but pesticides are indiscriminate killers as well. How do you prevent it from killing beneficial insects and wildlife, contaminating cistern water, animals, fruits and vegetables?

fogging CAN play a role in reducing transmission of disease.

Genetically modified mosquitoes is a better approach IMO, especially since the same breed of mosq. carries Dengue, Cheq. & Zika (and I think malaria too?)

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2016/01/27/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-used-to-fight-dengue-zika-in-brazil/

Oh wait, they tried that in 2015... in the same area where Zika broke out....
haha, SCIENCE!
http://theantimedia.org/zika-outbreak-epicenter-in-same-area-where-gm-mosquitoes-were-released-in-2015/

fogging CAN play a role in reducing transmission of disease.

Genetically modified mosquitoes is a better approach IMO, especially since the same breed of mosq. carries Dengue, Cheq. & Zika (and I think malaria too?)

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2016/01/27/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-used-to-fight-dengue-zika-in-brazil/

Oh wait, they tried that in 2015... in the same area where Zika broke out....
haha, SCIENCE!
http://theantimedia.org/zika-outbreak-epicenter-in-same-area-where-gm-mosquitoes-were-released-in-2015/

This whole correlation/causation thing again. I'll be anxiously waiting the large number of small headed children in the Florida Keys where GE mosquitos were released as well. In the meantime, I'll keep my deet soaked tin foil hat firmly secured

This whole correlation/causation thing again. I'll be anxiously waiting the large number of small headed children in the Florida Keys where GE mosquitos were released as well. In the meantime, I'll keep my deet soaked tin foil hat firmly secured

Oh I wasn't implying causation, just incompetence.

that Deet will give you a small head 😉

Brazil, the center of the “Zika” crisis, uses more pesticides than any nation in the world. Some of these are banned in 22 other countries. And as for babies born with smaller heads, here is a study from Environmental Health Perspectives (July 1, 2011), “Urinary Biomarkers of Prenatal Atrazine Exposure…”:

“The presence versus absence of quantifiable levels of [the pesticide] atrazine or a specific atrazine metabolite was associated with fetal growth restriction… and small head circumference… Head circumference was also inversely associated with the presence of the herbicide metolachlor.”

Atrazine and metolachlor are both used in Brazil.

So, there you go... your touted chemicals caused the small heads, not this silly virus that has been around since the 40's & until THIS YEAR was compared to a mild flu.

Atrazine and metolachlor are used in the U.S. too. Not as much anymore since the advent of round up ready crops. Atrazine was HUGELY popular with farmers before science and God gave us Glyphosate.

Atrazine and metolachlor are used in the U.S. too. Not as much anymore since the advent of round up ready crops. Atrazine was HUGELY popular with farmers before science and God gave us Glyphosate.

I'm a DDT fan... bring back DDT and spray everywhere.