Silent Prairie
The prairie went silent late last summer, like the silent spring Rachel Carson reported DDT caused. The township’s mosquito-sprayers market a safe application, but my prairie said otherwise. Let’s all pay attention and ask tough questions. Let’s become citizen scientists, learn, opt-out, and save our insects to save our birds — for birds need insects to eat in the spring and summer and insects have a place in this world, too.
2024, acrylic on canvas, 24” wide x 36” high
Spraying is often managed by a municipality/township as part of a mosquito abatement district, and often without notification of residents—so many have no idea it is happening at all. Googling “mosquito abatement and [your municipality/township” and then calling your municipality/township is the first place to start.
Ask:
To be added to a notification call list
If opting out is possible
What is sprayed, how often, at what concentration, and why.
To present on the topic if opting out isn’t yet possible in your area.
Mosquito Management Resources:
The Xerces Society, an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats, provides a wealth of authoritative resources on Effective Mosquito Managment including pamphlets on the following topics:
Safer Alternatives to Fogging (DIY):
Pesticide Risk Assessment Resources:
Environmental Protection Agency:
The National Wildlife Federation has a blog post byDavid Mizejewski & David Weber cites studies that show mosquito sprays hurt bees and other wildlife and alternatives to spraying: “What You Need to Know Before Spraying for Mosquitoes.”
Xerces Society has a new 2025 study of mosquito pesticides and their impact on non-target species: Plastic Bands, Pesticides, And Deadly Drift: A Study On Mosquito Spray (video presentation of results at link).
The Humane Gardener’s website links to studies about synthetic pyrethroids’ lethal effects on butterflies.
Beecatur, as a Bee City, Decatur affirms its support for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators and educating residents about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. Their website contains a lot of information about pesticides’ impact on bees.
BeyondPesticides.org offers the latest information on the hazards of pesticides and least-toxic alternatives.
Fisher, Adrian II et al. “Breaking the cycle: Reforming pesticide regulation to protect pollinators.” BioScience, Volume 73, Issue 11, November 2023, Pages 808–813, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad088