I applaud Sen. Jo Comerford for sponsoring bill S.445 which limits or bans the use of insecticides and protects beekeepers and organic farmers. Harnessing the power of Mother Nature to control mosquito populations is effective; it’s also environmentally friendly and adds aesthetic value to our surroundings. A garden filled with mosquito-repelling plants, such as the beautifully red bee balm and geraniums, the bright yellows and oranges of marigolds and the purple of lavender can serve as an ecological haven, enhancing the beauty of your environment while keeping those pesky insects at bay.

Living next to a pond with a swamp, I’m all for mosquito abatement approaches, as long as they do not harm their natural predators and the very important pollinators. Dragonflies, often referred to as “mosquito hawks,” are voracious eaters of mosquitoes at all stages of their life cycle. Despite our proximity to standing water, we have very few mosquitoes at my house, and I have dragonflies to thank. That’s why it’s crucial to consider ecological means of controlling mosquitoes, and why it’s so gratifying that nature has provided such beautiful and beneficial alternatives.

George L. Gaines

Boxford

]]>