Is the mosquito spray dangerous to butterflies? Do they kill good insects and birds?
Depending on the type of chemical used, the spray might kill some individuals in certain species of butterflies or caterpillars. However, any adverse effects on butterfly populations will most likely be very localized and temporary. When the chemical is applied as directed, adverse effects on populations of non-target animals, like mammals, birds, and fish, are actually absent or very minor. However, some insects (for example, honey bees) could be killed by mosquito sprays. Fortunately, mosquito adulticiding is normally done during the time of day when these insects are not active and less likely to be killed by spraying. When planning a mosquito spraying mission, efforts are made to avoid spraying near areas known to contain bee hives.
