How does Mass Audubon deal with mosquitoes on its wildlife sanctuaries?
A. Mass Audubon manages its sanctuaries as natural ecosystems of which mosquitoes are a part. We do not use or allow the application of pesticides (adulticides or larvicides) to Mass Audubon properties for control of nuisance mosquitoes. An exception to this policy may be made in the case of a declared public health emergency. Mass Audubon does not interfere with the natural water regime of wetlands on our properties to control mosquitoes, because of the significant adverse effects on wildlife and the natural system as a whole. An exception to this policy may be made for Open Marsh Water Management or other ecologically based management practices where modification of existing mosquito control ditches or degraded wetlands may have ecological benefits as well as reduce mosquito populations. Bird-nesting boxes are also placed on some of our properties to attract and provide breeding sites for insect-eating birds such as tree swallows and bluebirds. Summary of Mass. Audubon position regar