• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Battle Rises in Florida Keys Over Fighting Mosquitoes With Mosquitoes

CRUE CAB said:
More important diseases that have actually killed people in recent years.
Click to expand...

Never heard of West Nile disease? In addition to terrible effects, it can be lethal particularly to infants, the aged and those with health issues. Mosquitoes spread it. Of course that's not the only disease.

Malaria was one thing Florida was known for thru the 1800s until they learned it was by mosquitoes and "scientists" came up with ways to eliminate mosquitoes.

Fortunately, mosquitoes don't travel far from their origins, so it doesn't take much distance of dry cleared land to dramatically reduce how many there are where people are.

Why not check out your county's mosquito spraying schedule for your area. Explore the history of disease and mosquitoes in Florida, including before scientists became involved.
 
Lursa said:
Not sure you are qualified to decide which are more important.

Are you implying that they arent attempting to find solutions to other disease-related issues in FL?

Even that really has very little to do with this topic.
Click to expand...

Florida has HUGE issues related to diseases and invasive species due to its tropical nature. Strangely, many people in their cities in central and South Florida do not realize they are living on cleared and massively altered land with drainage canals, creeks, streams and ditches everywhere to prevent it returning to swampland. If you fly over Central and South Florida you would think it is a massive collection of little swimming ponds with creeks and streams everywhere. Those are nearly all man-made to control the water and change the topography. Even with that, most of Central and South Florida is only a few feet above sea level.

Despite being massively outnumbered and with inferior weaponry, plus having to protect their families, the Seminoles of Central/South Florida were the only NA tribe to never be defeated by or surrendered to the American military. They had one ally that was the reason: Nature. Mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, snakes, gators and - most significantly diseases mosquitoes, ticks and the swamp waters carried - was so crippling and deadly that no campaign by the USA military and/or state militias could last for long before disease attrition and desertions made continuing impossible.

Even most Floridians in Central and South Florida don't realize how altered and manipulated their land is.
 
CRUE CAB said:
Well, I am outside most of the time. I hardly ever see a mosquito anymore. I see more love bugs. I rid ATVs all over the swamps from Brevard County Okeechobee and Marion County. Surf cast from Cape Canaveral National Sea Shore to Sebastian Inlet and still haven seen a bad mosquito problem worth worrying about.
I really don't know how more specific I can be.
Oh, and our dealership is right next to a 3 acre retention pond.
Click to expand...

SO what you are saying is that the mosquito control boards are doing a great job, correct?
 
joko104 said:
Florida has HUGE issues related to diseases and invasive species due to its tropical nature. Strangely, many people in their cities in central and South Florida do not realize they are living on cleared and massively altered land with drainage canals, creeks, streams and ditches everywhere to prevent it returning to swampland. If you fly over Central and South Florida you would think it is a massive collection of little swimming ponds with creeks and streams everywhere. Those are nearly all man-made to control the water and change the topography. Even with that, most of Central and South Florida is only a few feet above sea level.

Despite being massively outnumbered and with inferior weaponry, plus having to protect their families, the Seminoles of Central/South Florida were the only NA tribe to never be defeated by or surrendered to the American military. They had one ally that was the reason: Nature. Mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, snakes, gators and - most significantly diseases mosquitoes, ticks and the swamp waters carried - was so crippling and deadly that no campaign by the USA military and/or state militias could last for long before disease attrition and desertions made continuing impossible.

Even most Floridians in Central and South Florida don't realize how altered and manipulated their land is.
Click to expand...
Because most are from NY.
 
joko104 said:
Never heard of West Nile disease? In addition to terrible effects, it can be lethal particularly to infants, the aged and those with health issues. Mosquitoes spread it. Of course that's not the only disease.

Malaria was one thing Florida was known for thru the 1800s until they learned it was by mosquitoes and "scientists" came up with ways to eliminate mosquitoes.

Fortunately, mosquitoes don't travel far from their origins, so it doesn't take much distance of dry cleared land to dramatically reduce how many there are where people are.

Why not check out your county's mosquito spraying schedule for your area. Explore the history of disease and mosquitoes in Florida, including before scientists became involved.
Click to expand...

Like I said, in the last 50 years. Spray to kill has worked, engineering other species to kill them hasn't.
 
joko104 said:
Do you ever research before you post? YOUR country has a mosquito control board that includes routinely spraying, including to try to control West Nile disease. This is necessary despite the massive land alterations for drainage, water control and other methods to make your area inhabitable, since it - and everything south of just north of Orlando in Florida was woodland swamps, marshes, and otherwise entirely overrun with such as mosquitoes.

We live further north than you and once you get out of clear and manipulated land the bugs and little critters make it unbearable. The top of that list is mosquitoes. And you live more in a semi-tropical zone than we do - while declaring people shouldn't live there is they don't like mosquitoes.

But for what "scientists" have done, including those in regards to altering land and controlling water, you couldn't live there - or least would be running from your car to your house.
Click to expand...
I am sure I have spent more time in wooded, swamps, marshes, rivers, boggs, forests, oceans, beaches than you. All over Florida.
 
Lursa said:
Not sure you are qualified to decide which are more important.

Are you implying that they arent attempting to find solutions to other disease-related issues in FL?

Even that really has very little to do with this topic.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure you are not qualified to say whether I am or not. But lets go over this again. I actually live here. I spend much time from the Keys, to almost Jacksonville with some time on the west coast doing a variety of activities including racing, atvs, boating, fishing, surfing and mud bogging.
So I will put my experience up against anyones that wants to say different.
 
CRUE CAB said:
Must be, I dont think we need to be engineering other bugs or introducing other chemicals.
Click to expand...

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Exactly what are your qualifications? Epidemiologist? Hydrologist? Chemist? Pharmacist? Entomologist? Doctor?
 
CRUE CAB said:
Like I said, in the last 50 years. Spray to kill has worked, engineering other species to kill them hasn't.
Click to expand...

When was the last 'engineering' of other species tried last?

Surely, with all your knowlege, you are up on the latest research?
 
Lursa said:
When was the last 'engineering' of other species tried last?

Surely, with all your knowlege, you are up on the latest research?
Click to expand...

Well, I do know at least that thousands of paint jobs have been ruined by love bugs. That my friend, whom I see lives across the nation, was the latest big feat of engineering. Oh, and did nothing to curb the mosquito population.
 
CRUE CAB said:
Pretty sure you are not qualified to say whether I am or not. But lets go over this again. I actually live here. I spend much time from the Keys, to almost Jacksonville with some time on the west coast doing a variety of activities including racing, atvs, boating, fishing, surfing and mud bogging.
So I will put my experience up against anyones that wants to say different.
Click to expand...

Sorry Charlie, I've been all over that state too....just about everywhere. 13 years with a herpetologist...entire vacations spent in the swamps, sandhills, sugar sand roads, all over Merritt Wildlife Refuge and Cape Kennedy....even places that are off limits after 9/11....piney woods, Everglades, etc. diving the reefs, fishing the fresh and salt water...for 47 yrs. Gee, not quite 50. And I like to get down there at least once a yr now.

I have a background in biology and epidemiology. How about you?
 
CRUE CAB said:
Well, I do know at least that thousands of paint jobs have been ruined by love bugs. That my friend, whom I see lives across the nation, was the latest big feat of engineering. Oh, and did nothing to curb the mosquito population.
Click to expand...

Exactly was that 'experiment?' LOLOLOL The lovebugs were in FL back in 1968.....
 
Lursa said:
Exactly was that 'experiment?' LOLOLOL The lovebugs were in FL back in 1968.....
Click to expand...

Exactly, and we see how that worked out. They have a very short life span and dont do what they were expected to do.
 
Lursa said:
Now? Seattle. Grew up in the NE....been visiting relatives and vacationing in FL all my life.
Click to expand...
AH, typical. Come on vaca. Now you are an expert on Florida. Sorry to inform, but there is more to Florida than Micky Mouse and Rocketships.
 
CRUE CAB said:
Exactly, and we see how that worked out. They have a very short life span and dont do what they were expected to do.
Click to expand...

We hadnt even landed a man on the moon then.

Please...do tell me you think that science has not progressed since then? Please...do it! :lamo
 
CRUE CAB said:
AH, typical. Come on vaca. Now you are an expert on Florida. Sorry to inform, but there is more to Florida than Micky Mouse and Rocketships.
Click to expand...

Read much? It was lot more than just a vacation and alot more than Kissimee and Orlando. Our 'vacations' were spent focused away from people and tourist traps and spent studying the wildlife.

Lursa said:
Sorry Charlie, I've been all over that state too....just about everywhere. 13 years with a herpetologist...entire vacations spent in the swamps, sandhills, sugar sand roads, all over Merritt Wildlife Refuge and Cape Kennedy....even places that are off limits after 9/11....piney woods, Everglades, etc. diving the reefs, fishing the fresh and salt water...for 47 yrs. Gee, not quite 50. And I like to get down there at least once a yr now.

I have a background in biology and epidemiology. How about you?
Click to expand...
 
Lursa said:
It's not about a 'bad mosquito problem'. It's about reducing the carriers of certain diseases. Those diseases could recirculate again in FL....this is an attempt to reduce that, without spraying, etc. I guess it's only important if you think you or those you care about wont get those diseases. Dengue is also known as 'break-bone' fever.....exceedingly painful.
Click to expand...
The chikungunya is all over rthe carribean and now is spreading everywhere. A horrible disease with no treatment. As to the frogs in Austria- rabbits as well- years ago -

From the link
But Keys residents are far less enamored of another approach to mosquito control — a proposal to release the nation’s first genetically modified mosquitoes, hatched in a lab and pumped with synthetic DNA to try to combat two painful, mosquito-borne viral diseases, dengue and chikungunya.
Rabbits in Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rabbits were first introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788. They were bred as food animals, probably in cages. In the first decades, they do not appear to have been numerous, judging from their absence from archaeological collections of early colonial food remains.

Cane toads in Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The cane toads bred immediately in captivity, and by August 1935 more than 102 young toads were released in areas around Cairns, Gordonvale and Innisfail in northern Queensland. More toads were released around Ingham, Ayr, Mackay and Bundaberg. Releases were temporarily limited because of environmental concerns but resumed in other areas after September 1936. Since their release, toads have rapidly multiplied in population and now number over 200 million and have been known to spread diseases affecting local biodiversity.

Mongooses were also introduced in the Caribbean to kill snakes and rats.
Small Asian mongoose - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
JANFU said:
Yes, no, not sure?????
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/u...nd-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

KEY HAVEN, Fla. — In this bite-size community near Key West, like so many other mosquito-plagued spots up and down the Florida Keys, residents long ago made peace with insecticides dropped into town by planes or rumbling by on trucks. Cans of Off are offered at outdoor parties. Patio screens are greeted with relief.

But Keys residents are far less enamored of another approach to mosquito control — a proposal to release the nation’s first genetically modified mosquitoes, hatched in a lab and pumped with synthetic DNA to try to combat two painful, mosquito-borne viral diseases, dengue and chikungunya.
Click to expand...



Mornin JF. :2wave: This has been going on for a couple of years down there with the Modified mosquitoes from Oxitec. Here is some of what we had on it from the beginning. Ockham and myself had thread up on it. ;)

http://www.debatepolitics.com/scien...engineered-mosquitoes-released-into-wild.html

http://www.debatepolitics.com/gener...-gmo-insects-could-released-florida-keys.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom