Pesticides in Florida
By Karey Burek
Mosquitoes are all over Florida when it gets hot and humid. Last night I was
outside until 9 p.m. with jeans on and inside a screened in patio - I woke up
with eight mosquito bites on my calves! Of course we should have some kind of
pesticide that kills mosquitoes so we can stay outside and have a pleasant time,
however, at what price? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has recently begun
negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency over the use of fenthion,
a mosquito pesticide that has killed hundreds of birds in Florida. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife service had found that from 1998 to 1999, 12 separate bird
deaths caused by fenthion were reported in Collier County. Further research
uncovered that there were bird deaths from 16 different species of birds that
are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act-including one that is an
endangered specie. I will keep you informed on this subject as soon as I find
out more information! Just a reminder! The deadline for the National Wildlife photography
competition is Sunday, June 22. All entries must be postmarked by this date in
order to be considered for the contest. You must be 18 years old or above, and
photos must be of striking images of nature, creatures on land and life beneath
the water’s surface. Winners will be chosen at the end of October and photos
will appear in the December/January 2004 issue of National Wildlife. Send
entries to National Wildlife Photography Competition, Drawer C-03, 11100
Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-6000.