Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently moved and just found out that my neighborhood will be getting sprayed for mosquitoes once a week all summer long. At my previous location I noticed a spray truck once (though it probably came more often) but didn't think about the impact on my box turtles (2 long-term captives that currently share a WaterLand Tub on the porch).

At my last house, the turtles were on a second-story deck, about 200 feet from the road where the spray truck was observed. At my current home, they're at ground-level about 100 feet from the presumed spray-road. The chemical to be used is malathion.

My plan is to cover the enclosure on the scheduled spray evenings. However, sometimes the spraying may not happen on the scheduled day due to holidays, sprayer time off/illness, etc. What, if any, impact would malathion in its diluted concentration have on the turtles for isolated exposures, given the distance from the spray truck and typical dilution? I'm guessing it is negligible. If not, I may consider keeping the turtles indoors, but that is clearly not my preference.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

From Wikipedia:

"Although current EPA regulations do not require amphibian testing, a 2008 study done by the University of Pittsburg found that "cocktails of contaminants", which are frequently found in nature, were lethal to leopard frog tadpoles. They found that a combination of five widely used insecticides (carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, endosulfan, and malathion) in concentrations far below the limits set by the EPA killed 99% of leopard frog tadpoles."

That is extremely disheartening. I would even suggest bringing in your turtles for a few days in addition to covering their enclosure.

It's a shame municipal governments aren't more committed to mosquito control from an educational standpoint. Toxic chemical don't have to be used. If residents would follow simple principals, mosquito populations could be greatly reduced. Additional control could then be done through natural controls.

After a rainfall or irrigation takes place, dump over water in pots, tires, anything that holds water. In places where water collects but cannot be dumped out, like in birdbaths, puddles, etc., use mosquito dunks, which is a bait that kills mosquito larvae, or mosquito fish. Other deterrents, such as garlic spray, minced garlic, citronella based products and organic recipes for repellent of your person can then be used. My wife and I started using a recipe the last three weeks of two tablespoons of pure vanilla extract, one teaspoon of orange oil and eight ounces of water sprayed liberally every 30 minutes when outside. It has made an amazing difference. I am not a nut, I know there are times when Off and deet are still necessary, but if we could all cut our reliance on such toxic chemicals, our environment and those living in it would be greatly improved.

Sorry for the diatribe.

I agree in principle with your "anti-spray position" and I wish it were really feasible. I live in deep SE Tx and in my county is approximately 12-15 thousand acres of undeveloped salt and brackish water marsh. Without REGULAR & CONSISTENT spraying from trucks and airplanes, life outdoors would be not only unbearable, but dangerous. We can and should limit breeding spots in our yard, but in many areas, that is like trying to bail out the Titanic with a thimble. As far as MY box turtles are concerned, their outdoor habitat is fairly well surrounded by shrubs and is separated from the road by my house and an 8 ft. privacy fence. Beyond that, fresh water, regularly showering the habitat with lots of water and hopefully, favorable winds. Not trying at all to be argumentative, just explaining my situation.

-----
Greg Jackson

This is the federal government doing the spraying, not state or municipal.

The Wikipedia article mentions a "cocktail of chemicals" whereas I understand my program will be using a single chemical. While malathion can wreak havoc on various bodily functions above a certain dosage threshold, in the concentration to be used we are supposedly OK to remain outdoors even in the middle of spraying.

After thinking more about it, this ain't the first year they've done it, and there are still lots of amphibians around the area (including just outside my back fence) so I am not terribly concerned. I will cover the turtles for sure the first time and plan on observing exactly where/how they spray so I can assess the impact firsthand.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I will cover the turtles for sure the first time and plan on observing exactly where/how they spray so I can assess the impact firsthand.

First spraying was tonight. I covered the turtles and stood outside while it occurred. It does not seem too bad...the fairly strong wind from the "just-right" direction is the only way any of the spray made it to our yard from the road where the spray truck drove, and other than a bad smell there was very little to it. I don't think it's going to be a problem but I still plan on covering the turtles each week during the spraying.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet