There were pros and cons to this debate. We all agreed that excessive use of pesticides should be curtailed. Pesticides are a health hazard to those with severe allergies, lymphomas seem to have a connection to pesticide use, water and land contamination is an issue, children’s and pets’ health are at risk etc. etc. There are better ways to rid of pests and weeds in our gardens and these alternatives should be used. Ban all pesticides immediately, some well meaning citizens said.

Citizens that protested the outright ban also had valid arguments. They said lets not have an outright ban till we have better and safer products in place. Lets wean people off pesticide use by educating them about better means of ridding of pests and weeds. Some pests will totally destroy vegetation. Some weeds are a concern not only to farmers’ crops but also to allergy sufferers. Before we totally ban pesticides, lets have functional alternatives in place, they said. Some even brought up the question of what do we do if the West Nile Virus shows up on our front door?

Council and anti-pesticide citizens’ response to the threat of the West Nile Virus was well we don’t have any infected crows so its not really a threat at all. It’s a problem in the States not here. No sooner did they utter these words a dead crow infected with the virus shows up on our front porch.

Mosquitoes know no boundaries. They do not know that we live in Canada. They are clueless to the fact that we are Canadians NOT Americans. So this wonderful hot, dry summer (thank God for that) they have invaded our country and passed the virus to humans, Canadian humans.

The response so far has been, cover up (even thought it’s a hundred in the shade), spray your bodies with DEET (isn’t that a pesticide?) and avoid mosquitoe-infested areas.

Are these suggestions someone’s idea of a joke? If its 99 hot and sticky degrees outside, should I wear long pants, long sleeves and cover my body with pesticides? How healthy is that? How do I avoid mosquitoes if Caledon is full of low-lying areas with stagnant water? Do I stay indoors? Well mosquitoes don’t know any boundaries. They follow you anywhere!

What now Council? Will you still ignore the dilemma? Will you still give me “sound” advice? Will you go against your own resolve to ban pesticides? Will you let people die? Will you eat crow?

Dying to find out,
Donna

Comments? Questions? Have your say in our Message Board!