Question about gardens and neighborhood mosquito spray trucks

[Rhonda in TX]

We are considering planting a garden. One concern that I've had is that the city (or somebody) sends trucks out in the summer that spray for mosquitos. I have no idea what's in that stuff. I'm wondering how safe it would be to grow fruits and veggies with regular spraying of insecticides. Any ideas?

[I talk to the trees]

Bump!

:bigear:

[Amy loves Bud]

I can't answer your question, but I remember running behind those trucks in the cloud they left behind when I was a kid!:willy_nilly:

[Amy in Orlando]

I can't answer your question, but I remember running behind those trucks in the cloud they left behind when I was a kid!:willy_nilly:

 

Well, that explains a lot, doesn't it? :001_tt2:

 

We have those trucks too. Dh is asleep right now, but he called the city a few years ago to ask what was being sprayed and they told him, I can't remember what it was, but I do feel comfortable just washing our vegetables thoroughly before we eat them.

[Amy loves Bud]

Well, that explains a lot, doesn't it? :001_tt2:

 

 

 

More than you know, Amy. :lol:

[Robymomof3]

We are considering planting a garden. One concern that I've had is that the city (or somebody) sends trucks out in the summer that spray for mosquitos. I have no idea what's in that stuff. I'm wondering how safe it would be to grow fruits and veggies with regular spraying of insecticides. Any ideas?

 

I've never considered it might get on the fruits and veggies. Since we don't use any kind of insecticides ourselves I've always felt it relatively safe for the kids to pop a fresh picked blueberry into their mouths without washing. You've got me wondering now. :confused:

[Robymomof3]

I can't answer your question, but I remember running behind those trucks in the cloud they left behind when I was a kid!:willy_nilly:

 

 

Dh did this too. The only problem he has now is :bigear:. :D

[Once]

To answer your questions about garden produce we just wash it here. I am not sure what it is but I heard from someone that it is a crysanthumum based chemical. It made me feel better but I am not saying that I know the source is trustworthy.

 

Another consideration, I heard from a friend that you need to fertilize a few crops with a Q-tip.....I know I know:tongue_smilie:. She said her zucchini (sp?) plants would not fertilize by themselves. I had the same problem that year but I started them late in a small corner of my garden that was not easy for the critters to find. So you may want to consider that too.

 

I'm not sure this is all that helpful but I still feel good about planting my own tomatoes and such because they are *mostly* organic.

[Amy in NY]

I can't answer your question, but I remember running behind those trucks in the cloud they left behind when I was a kid!:willy_nilly:

 

Dh, who grew up in the country, can't believe we ran around in that chemical fog!

 

It was probably really bad for us but we thought it was loads of fun.

 

:tongue_smilie:

[Melissa in Australia]

your veggies will probably be chemically cleaner than any produce coming off a commercial farm.

[Amy loves Bud]

It was fun, wasn't it? :lol:

[Myrtle]

We are considering planting a garden. One concern that I've had is that the city (or somebody) sends trucks out in the summer that spray for mosquitos. I have no idea what's in that stuff. I'm wondering how safe it would be to grow fruits and veggies with regular spraying of insecticides. Any ideas?

 

Malathion is the active ingredient in most mosquito spray trucks.

 

This is a very good FAQ about malathion. Malathion is used on commercial crops for insect control. But, basically, yes, you'll need to wash your veggies first.

 

I think there are other ways of mosquito eradication such as something called "biomist" so malathion is not necessarily the chemical that they are using. You can call up the department that sprays and ask, they probably have a website up that tells you what chemicals they use.

[Sandy in Indy]

What I want to know is why the trucks never come through the neighborhood when it's hot and we have the house closed up and they ALWAYS come through on the nights that it's nice and we have the house open. You should see us flying around closing the windows to keep out the stink!

[Myrtle]

What I want to know is why the trucks never come through the neighborhood when it's hot and we have the house closed up and they ALWAYS come through on the nights that it's nice and we have the house open. You should see us flying around closing the windows to keep out the stink!

 

 

Malathion kills bees and bees are safely asleep in their hives at night.

[Rhonda in TX]

I'm feeling much better about it now. (Not enough to let my kids go play in the fog, though! :lol: )

 

We're just beginning to think about planting a garden, and we'll definitely wait until it's cooler. Good golly, it's hot right now!

 

Thanks again. I always know I can come to y'all for answers. :)

[sdWTMer]

We would ride behind them on our bikes! Ha!