Insect Control:
Aerial sprayings in urban areas is commonly conducted to reduce levels for certain pests or to contain disease-carrying insects. There are many chemicals used in urban insect control. Sometimes these chemicals are harmful to humans.

The use of chemical pesticide DDT was widely used in urban aerial sprays to control urban mosquito, gypsy moths, Japanese beetle and other insects in the 1940’s. By 1972, DDT was banned from the United States due to widespread development of resistance to DDT and evidence that DDT use was increasing preterm births and also harming the environment.

Today, there are more than 500 species of insects and mites that are resistant to some form of pesticides. As a result of the increasing resistance, countries have started to apply more products, combine pesticides, increase applications, or substitute with more toxic replacements.

Safety with Bt urban areial spraying

Bt has been found through rigorous testing to be harmless to humans, other mammals, fish, birds, or basically all vertebrates. Many countries in the world have incorporated Bt aerial spraying into their pest control program. Bt products are used on millions of acres of wooded areas and agricultural crops. These spays are used to control for gypsy moths, blackflies, mosquitoes, and many other pests in forestry and urban areas.

Tests conducted during spraying over urban areas in Canada and the US showed no negative effects on humans. There was no correlation between the aerial application of Bt and the short-term health effects in the adult population, or in aggravation of asthma symptoms in children.