As an entomologist and a pest management professional, I’ve been asked some reocurring questions about our industry and how it will be impacted by the novel corona virus or COVID-19.
The first category of those questions involves how COVID-19 is transmitted. Specifically, can insects and/or arthropods transmit the virus?
The World Health Organization says the following:
“To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.”
As WHO says, mosquitoes, and from what we know other arthropods such as ticks and bed bugs, don’t transmit the corona virus to people.
The next most common question I get is if any of Control Solutions, Inc. products are useful as disinfectants or sanitizers.
The short answer is no. Pesticides are very different from disinfectants.
Disinfectant products are heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. When choosing a disinfectant to use against COVID-19, be sure to choose one with an EPA registration number. To view a list of approved disinfectants, see below.
Stay safe and healthy. Wash your hands. Follow CDC recommendations.
We are committed to keeping you informed as things change and evolve in the coming days and weeks ahead. For on-going updates on COVID-19 in our area please see below.
Check back for outbreak-related news and links to other in-depth coverage concerning the pest control industry.
