St. Johns County mom says not enough warning before use of controversial mosquito control chemical

Stefanie Billette is a St. Johns County mother who is upset that the county didn't give people more warning about the use of a controversial chemical for mosquito control.

“We have been given 24 hours notice, which is not enough time to ask questions,” Billette said.

She said she is especially worried about her infant son and the effects the spray could have on him.

“Now I’m being told I basically have no opt out, no choice," she said. "I will have to deal with the consequences about this no matter what."

St. Johns County is launching an aerial attack on a growing mosquito problem for the first time in more than a decade.

The decision comes after an outbreak of mosquitoes following Hurricane Matthew.

Anastasia Mosquito Control said calls for service for spraying have skyrocketed.

Officials are asking families in St Johns County to stay indoors during the spraying.

Naled was banned by the European Union calling it a potential unacceptable risk, but the EPA said it's safe.

Naled is currently sprayed on about 16 million acres in the U.S. as part of routine mosquito control.

After the hurricanes in 2004 it treated 8 million acres in Florida, and in 2005 it treated 5 million acres of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Billet said she and her neighbors have tried to contact Anastasia Mosquito Control to protest but haven’t had any luck.

“I think many people are upset about this and if they are turning off their phones to ignore us, that makes me even more angry," Billette said.

Duval County is already spraying with Naled and plans to use it again during the next five days in the Bayard and Bartram park area, Julington Creek, Loretto, Mandarin and North Oceanway.

Longtime resident Terry Giles believes a one-time spray is worth it.

"I understand why they want to spray because I have been inundated with mosquitoes,” he said.

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