Residents voice concerns over aerial spraying in Brunswick County

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Last Monday, Brunswick County commissioners approved the aerial spraying, but many residents feel excluded from the conversation.

Concerns arise over the insecticide used: Dibrom, also known as Naled, is EPA approved and was previously used after Hurricane Florence in 2018.

“Almost a thousand signatures now and they are just saying outright don’t spray my property,” one resident noted.

This spraying campaign responds to rising mosquito populations due to increased flooding from recent storms.

Resident Hunter Gadwill questions the necessity of spraying, especially with cooler temperatures approaching and much of the standing water gone.

“The creek level is now down; there is not that much standing water around. Everyone here will tell you that the mosquitoes were terrible, but the county is now operating potentially on outdated data that they used to make the decision to do the spraying.”

In response, residents have united to create a petition voicing their concerns and hoping to delay the spray.

“The spraying could be withheld or postponed until after October 21st, when there is the next county commissioners meeting, where citizens can voice their objections, ask questions, and get clarification on some things,” a resident explained.

Another resident, Hubert Lowe, argues that truck spraying is more controlled.

“We’ve been doing this for years. This is a procedure they go by, and that’s the procedure that works without hurting anything.”

Another point of concern is taxpayer spending, as the county estimates the spraying could cost close to a million dollars. They anticipate that FEMA will cover a substantial portion of this cost.