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Tools for Change
In our tools for change section you can learn the facts about mosquito control and mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus and Zika virus, read expert positions on the impacts of pesticides you human health and the inefficacy of spray, how to organize your community against pesticide use, use flyers and petitions, discover concrete examples of local policies with model language, and learn about ways to engage with the media onthe issue.
Factsheets
Expert Position Statements and Resources
How to Organize In Your Community
Flyers, Sample Petitions and Opt-out forms
Model Policies & Practices
Media Tips
- The Truth About Mosquitoes, Pesticides & West Nile virus
- What is West Nile virus: Pesticides, Biology, and Prevention
- WNV Poster (Cornell University)
Expert Position Statements and Resources
- With Zika Virus, Widespread Pesticide Spraying Not the Long-Term Solution, says Entomologist
- An Open Letter By Concerned Physicians and Scientists
- Ineffectiveness of Pesticides at Controlling Mosquito Populations
- Recommendations for Mosquito Control in Tennessee
- Doctors and other medical professionals say no to spraying
- West Nile Virus and Mosquito Control
- Efficacy of Resmethrin Aerosols Applied from the Road for Suppressing Culex Vectors of West Nile Virus (Michael R. Reddy, Andrew Spielman, et al. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Summer 2006, 6(2): 117-127)
How to Organize in Your Community
- 5 Steps To Stop The Spraying
- 10 Steps to Grassroots Organizing
- Preparing for a Campaign: a framework for winning
- Calling All Activists: How to start and run a local beyond pesticides organization
- Free Listserves: Start a listserve with fellow community members through Facebook, Yahoo or Topica.
- Free Conference Call Setup: Link activists together or with experts with a call.
- Free Petition: Start an online petition to bring before local decision makers. See AZ example.
- The WNV Organizing Manual or The WNV Toolkit by Beyond Pesticides. The WNv Manual is a 110 page book that gives a comprehensive look at mosquito control, WNv and alternatives; chemical toxicities, sample labels; how-to's on organizing and approaching decision makers and media; and advice on pesticide poisoning. $15 donation requested. The Toolkit is a smaller version. $5 donation.
Flyers, Sample Petitions and Opt-out forms
- Mosquito Doorknob Hanger Share this informative doorknob hanger in your community to educate your neighbors on least-toxic mosquito management.
- Flyers Used to Rally Support in Connecticut, Michigan
- Flyer distributed along with exemption forms - on orange paper to indicate "hazard." (Michigan)
- Exemption from Spray: opt-out form for residents who do not want property sprayed. Sent to County Board of Commissioners with copies sent to local newspaper editors and others.
- Neighborhood Exemption Form: opt-out form for neighborhoods to sign-up for no-spray areas. Distributed at local health food stores. Requests a total shut-off of all pesticides.
- Petition 1: Say No to Pesticides in County including mosquitoes
- Petition 2: Request for a Hearing on Pesticide Use
- Lyndhurst, Ohio ordinance is an inspiration for all who seek to prevent adulticiding in their communities. Pop. 15,279
- Shaker Heights, OH WNV Response Plan can be considered the floodgate that allowed Lyndhurst to succeed. This Plan grew out of intense community involvement and continues today. Pop. 31,000
- Lane County, OR WnV Response Plan aided by NCAP, models how to make change sustainable by getting local policy makers to put their tiered plans in writing. Pop. 301,000
- Marblehead, MA WNV Response Plan requires a town hall meeting before any adulticides are used (and only if there's been a locally-acquired human death). Pop. 20,294
- Nashville, TN Mosquito Control Program aided by ally No Spray Nashville, the group demonstrated that WNV transmission to humans was exceedingly rare in Nashville, and citing the lack of efficacy of adulticiding over least toxic options, the Health Department agreed to raise the threshold for spraying to a level that is unlikely to result in mass neighborhood spraying again. Pop. 592,446
- Fort Worth, TX Department of Health's explanation for why Fort Worth doesn't spray.
- British Columbia WNV Article with contributions from BC's WNV Committee, gives a good overview of putting mosquito control and the WNV in perspective and overall management techniques.
- Larval Control Plans That Work
- Boulder, Colorado 2003 WNV Report explains the Boulder city's progressive approach to WNV which resulted in less WNV cases per density of surrounding areas. The report also offers insightful conclusions about the reasons for the city's successful urban no-spray program.
- Washington, D.C. Department of Health.Review of The Efficacy of Larvicide, in the Absence of Adulticide, to Control Mosquitoes
- State Plans:
- California WNV State Plan integrated mosquito management criteria for Sacramento/Yolo County adult mosquitoes and for immature mosquitoes.
- Connecticult State Plan
- New York State WNV Response plan generally referred to as a fairly good tiered structure.
Media: News Papers, Radio, and Social Media
- Write a Letter to the Editor
- Citizen Sample Letters to the Editor
- Citizen Sample Letters to Policy Makers
- Beyond Pesticides Letters to Policymakers
- Public Service Announcements for the Radio
- WNv Listserves - Especially for activists, see listserv organized by Maine Environmental Policy Institute, or the broader listserve from nospray in New York. Other listservs include Cornell University's email discussion group for communication and discussion about West Nile Virus, particularly regarding policy, risk reduction and public education issues (include your name and contact information). Listserv with researchers and vector control on mosquito management methods.