Protecting Massachusetts Public Health and Environment Through Common-Sense and Science-Based Practices

Show your support for S.547/H.985, an Act Establishing An Ecologically-Based Mosquito Management Program In The Commonwealth To Protect Public Health

Please join with the MASSQuito Coalition in support of important proposed legislation, S.547/H.985. The MASSQuito Coalition is a group of local, regional, state, and national environmental organizations who work to protect public health and the environment in Massachusetts. This legislation, S.547/H.985, represents a modernized, 21st century approach to mosquito management based upon recommendations from the 2022 Massachusetts Mosquito Control for the Twenty-First Century Task Force.

This bill is easy to enact while still reflective of the Task Force recommendations. The purpose of this legislation is to modernize the Commonwealth’s current mosquito management practices with actions that are effective, affordable, transparent, ecologically responsible, and scientifically-based to protect public health.

These are all common-sense provisions to update the Commonwealth’s practices to an ecologically-sound mosquito control program in Massachusetts focused on protecting the health of Massachusetts’ citizens.

Senate bill 547 and House bill 985 will enhance local engagement through:

• A public input process.

• Mosquito management based in science and tailored to local needs.

• Statewide education to support personal protection and responsibility to eliminate standing water on individual property, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• Access for all communities to disease carrying mosquito testing to protect public health.

• The option for municipalities and landowners to opt out of pesticide applications to protect people, pollinators, honey bee apiaries, fish, and other sensitive populations, except following a declared public health emergency.

Senate bill 547 and House bill 985 protect public health by defining how and when toxic chemical controls may be used:

• Most effective, non-chemical methods will be utilized first.

• Least-toxic chemicals will be used only when necessary to protect public health.

• Larvicides will be used only when disease-carrying mosquitoes are present, and source reduction has been implemented.

• Adulticides will only be used where less hazardous methods have been implemented, and the disease risk is high or critical in the current year, per the Dept. of Public Health.

• Aerial spraying of adulticides is prohibited.

• Pesticides containing PFAS are prohibited.

Senate bill 547 and House bill 985 will modernize mosquito management in the Commonwealth:

• Protect against mosquito-borne diseases through monitoring, public education, source reduction of mosquito breeding sites, and restoration of wetland habitat for natural mosquito predators.

• Expand expert involvement and transparency in the mosquito management program.

• Ensure consistent implementation of mosquito-borne disease control through a science-based, statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan.

• Combine cultural, physical, and biological controls for more effective, ecological mosquito management.

• Protect people, fish, pollinators, and the environment by reducing pesticide use and including restoration of wetlands and fish habitat to naturally reduce mosquito breeding.

• Ensure continuous improvement through annual revisions based on data on effectiveness and impacts.

Join with the MASSQuito Coalition in support of S.547/H.985 to establish an ecologically based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth to protect public health.