FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 1, 2025
TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducted a review of Astro Exterminating
and their mosquito spraying applications in Tifton on 4/3/25, 4/10/25, and 4/17/25. The Georgia
Department of Agriculture found that Astro Exterminating was in 100% compliance with the
Georgia Department of Agriculture’s regulations on mosquito spraying.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture performed the audit and review at the request of several
area residents who had expressed their opposition to the mosquito spraying. The equipment,
pesticide used, the amount, and application rate were all reviewed by the Georgia Department of
Agriculture.
Perm-X UL4-4 (4% Permethrin based active ingredient) is used by Astro Exterminating for mosquito
control. Permethrin has been registered by the EPA since 1979. Permethrin is the most widely used
mosquito adulticide in the U.S. and is used to treat 9 to 10 million acres annually (out of 32-39 million
acres treated with a mosquito adulticide).1
Permethrin is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family. The EPA has conducted human health risk
assessments for all labeled uses of pyrethroids. Based on the results of these assessments and any
required label changes, pyrethroids can be used for public health mosquito control programs
without posing unreasonable risks to human health when applied according to the label.1
When applied according to label directions, pyrethroids used in mosquito control programs do not
pose unreasonable risks to wildlife or the environment.1
In November 2011, the EPA completed a cumulative risk assessment for the pyrethroids/pyrethrins
and identified no cumulative risks of concern.1
For the protection of our citizens, the City of Tifton contracted Astro Exterminating services of Tifton
to spray every street in Tifton monthly through November 2025, as mosquitoes are known as the
deadliest animal in the world.2
Astro Exterminating sprays from 7pm-10pm on the following schedule per week of each month:
Week 1- District 1, Week 2- District 2, Week 3- District 3, and Week 4- District 4. It is not a requirement
of Astro Exterminating or the City of Tifton to notify the public during each application.
Mosquitoes can spread diseases like Malaria, Dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya,
and lymphatic filariasis.2 Last year in the U.S., the CDC reported 1,466 cases of West Nile virus, with
53 of those cases in Georgia alone.3
Interim City Manager Larry Lawrence states, “The City of Tifton prioritizes all of our citizens’ health
and safety. The Tifton City Council makes decisions that reflect the betterment of the health,
welfare and safety of the City’s residents. Tifton’s vision is to continuously grow a safe and thriving
community by providing progressive city services delivered with integrity, friendliness, and safety.”
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1: EPA, 2025, March 6 – Permethrin, Resmethrin, d-Phenothrin (Sumithrin): Synthetic Pyrethroids For Mosquito Control
https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/permethrin-resmethrin-d-phenothrin-sumithrinr-synthetic-pyrethroidsmosquito#:~:text=Permethrin%20is%20the%20most%20widely,pest%20resistance%2C%20and%20broad%20labeling.
2: CDC, 2024, August 14 – Fighting the World’s Deadliest Animal https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/impact/fighting-the-worlds-deadliestanimal.html
3: CDC, 2025, January 14 -- Current Year Data https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/current-year-data.html
To download the full press release and documents associated with the review, please click: /DocumentCenter/View/1775