Clarke 2013 Survey: Mosquito Abatement

Transcription

1 Clarke 2013 Survey: Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns

2 Clarke 2013 Survey Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns Executive Summary The use of DDT for mosquito control programs on U.S. city streets ended in This was an environmentally wise choice, given that many mosquito species developed populations resistant to the insecticide due to its overuse, and that over application could have toxic effects on birds and fish. Four decades later, major advances, both in application and in the formulations used, have created fresh hope for communities desperate to control mosquitoes. An example of such an advance is the sourcing of natural substances as the basis for the active ingredient used in mosquito control products. These products have become safe for use in and around organic farms and gardens, which are on the rise. The timing is intentional and fortuitous. Mosquitoes continue to prove themselves unpredictable disease vectors, carrying serious viruses such as West Nile virus and dengue fever, which surfaced in the United States just a few years ago and now appears to be spreading. Global environmental products and services company Clarke aimed to discover resident perceptions and attitudes towards mosquito control. The company conducted a new survey of Americans in three states plagued by mosquitoes, revealing that the public s desire for community mosquito control is significant. New mosquito control protocols have emerged that are effective and continue to improve in safety for consumers and the environment. GPS technology can help pinpoint key breeding sites. And now new mosquito control products are available that have not only undergone a rigorous review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but also meet the United States Department of Agriculture s (USDA) organic standards and those of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). They re safe for use in and around organic farms and gardens. Such products offer an alternative for communities and residents who need to control mosquitoes and increasingly want the insects controlled in a more sustainable way. The Clarke 2013 Survey checked attitudes and preferences in three states: California, Illinois and Washington. The survey focused in particular on attitudes towards OMRI Listed products, pesticides and mosquito control. It found that no fewer than 82 percent (Washington) and as many as 87 percent (Illinois) of local residents would consider personally using an OMRI Listed product and that large majorities of Americans, ranging from 60 percent in Washington to 76 percent in Illinois, perceive mosquito control products as worth using.

3 Overall, the findings indicate: Respondents think mosquito control products are worth using for the sake of controlling nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes. And they do not care who is responsible for controlling mosquitoes within the community as long as there is a program in place to control mosquitoes. Residents in all three states would consider using an OMRI Listed product because they view it as a safer and healthier option. Those who wouldn t consider using an OMRI Listed product said they were concerned by the possible costs or reported they were unsure of what it means to be an OMRI Listed product. Organic product buyers feel OMRI Listed products are safer. Respondents who said they buy organic products (any type of organic: food, clothing, etc) also said they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets and less harmful for the environment than non-omri Listed products. Those who buy organic garden products held more favorable attitudes toward the value of mosquito control products. They were more willing to support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for people and pets and less harmful for the environment than they were if it used non-omri Listed products. All respondents had strong feelings regarding the safety of pesticides when replying to the open-ended question Based on what you know, can pesticides be safe?. In addition to this overarching observation, seven themes emerged from the open-ended responses. They are highlighted at the end of this report. 3

4 Clarke 2013 Survey Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns Perceptions: Key Findings Analysis This portion of the analysis explores the main findings of the quantitative responses from residents of each state. It highlights respondent perceptions of the value of mosquito control and on where responsibility lies to control mosquitoes. This analysis also uncovers respondent perceptions of OMRI Listed products and of their safety, health and cost. Consensus: Mosquito control Products are Worth Using, Regardless of Who Foots the Bill Key Finding: Respondents find mosquito control products are worth using for the sake of controlling nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes, regardless of their feelings one way or the other about who is responsible for controlling mosquitoes within the community. CA 78% 54% IL WA 42% 50% 77% 82% Agree City is Responsible Disagree City is Responsible were worth using. Finally, 42 percent of the Washington respondents who disagree with the city taking responsibility for mosquito control felt mosquito control products were worth using. Safety and Health Should Come First in the Battle Against Mosquitoes Key Finding: Residents in all three states who said they would consider using an OMRI Listed product said they view them as safer and healthier options. Conversely, those who would not consider using an OMRI Listed product said it was because they believed such products would be more costly or they were unsure of what it means when a product is OMRI Listed. California Among those who agreed it was the responsibility of the town to control mosquitoes within the community were 78 percent in California, 82 percent in Illinois and 77 percent in Washington. Natural Healthier Safer Cost More Unaware of OMRI 34% 29% 46% 51% 57% Interestingly, among those in California who disagreed it was the responsibility of the town to control mosquitoes within the community, 54 percent still agreed mosquito control products were worth using. In Illinois, among those who disagreed it was the responsibility of the town to control mosquitoes within the community, 50 percent still agreed mosquito control products Would Consider Would Not Consider Of the respondents in California who would consider using an OMRI Listed product, 57 percent said they would choose it because it is likely safer and 46 percent would choose it is because it is likely healthier for use than non-omri Listed or traditional 4

5 mosquito control products. Those from California Washington who said they would not consider using an OMRI Listed product noted they were unsure of what it meant to be an OMRI Listed product (51 percent) and because they thought it would probably cost more than non-omri Listed products (29 percent). Natural Healthier Safer Cost More Unaware of OMRI 38% 35% 47% 61% Illinois Would Consider Would Not Consider Natural 39% Healthier Safer 53% 54% Cost More 29% Unaware of OMRI 59% Would Consider Would Not Consider Similarly, in Illinois, those who responded they would choose an OMRI Listed product noted it would be because they think it would likely be safer (54 percent), healthier (53 percent) and natural (39 percent). Aligning closely with California and Washington respondents, in Illinois, 59 percent of respondents who said they would not consider using an OMRI Listed product said it was because they were unsure of what an OMRI Listed product was, and 29 percent said it was because it would probably cost more. Washington respondents felt similarly to those in California and Illinois. Those who said they would choose an OMRI Listed product noted it would be because they think these products would likely be safer (61 percent), healthier (47 percent) and natural (38 percent). Those who said they would not consider using an OMRI Listed product said they were unsure of what an OMRI Listed product was (48 percent) and that would probably cost more than a non-omri Listed product (35 percent). 5

6 Clarke 2013 Survey Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns ent, I went up to 80. If you need me to change it to 70 let me know. CA 25% 45% 50% 61% IL 39% 62% 66% Safe Mosquito Control Appeals to Organic Consumers and Gardeners Key Finding: Residents in all three states agreed that mosquito control products were worth using. Respondents who said they buy organic products also said they would support a mosquito control program in their city/ town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets and less harmful for the environment than non-omri Listed products. CA IL WA 37% 44% 45% WA Non-Organic Less Harmful Non-Organic Safer 33% 45% 44% Organic Less Harmful Organic Safer 62% Respondents from California, Illinois and Washington who said they buy organic products agreed that they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for families and pets; specifically, 61 percent in California, 66 percent in Illinois and 62 percent in Washington. Similarly, those who said they do not buy organic products still noted they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets (50 percent in California, 62 percent in Illinois and 44 percent in Washington). In the three states surveyed, respondents who said they buy organic products agreed that mosquito control products are worth using to control nuisance and disease-carrying mosquitoes (44 percent in California, 45 percent in Illinois and 37 percent in Washington). Additionally those who buy organic products agreed that they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were less harmful for the environment than non-omri Listed products (45 percent in California, 48 percent in Illinois and 45 percent in Washington). Those who said they do not buy organic products did not show as much support for a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were less harmful for the environment (25 percent in California, 39 percent in Illinois and 33 percent in Washington). 6

7 CA 25% 50% 61% IL 39% 62% 70% WA 33% 44% 64% Non-Organic Less Harmful Organic Less Harmful Non-Organic Safer Organic Safer Key Finding: Respondents who said they buy organic garden CA 44% 47% IL WA products demonstrated favorable attitudes toward the value of mosquito control products. They also said they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets and less harmful for the environment than non-omri Listed products. 37% 45% 41% 43% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Organic Any Organic Garden In all three states surveyed, respondents who said they buy organic garden products agreed that mosquito control products are worth using. In California, 47 percent agreed; in Illinois, 41 percent agreed; and in Washington, 43 percent agreed that these products are worth using. Respondents from California, Illinois and Washington who said they buy organic garden products agreed that they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets. Specifically, 61 percent in California, 70 percent in Illinois and 64 percent in Washington agreed. Those who said they do not buy organic garden products still noted they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were safer for their families and pets (50 percent in California, 62 percent in Illinois and 44 percent in Washington). Additionally those who buy organic garden products agreed that they would support a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were less harmful for the environment than non-omri Listed products (48 percent in each state). Those who said they do not buy organic products did not show as much support for a mosquito control program in their city/town if it used OMRI Listed products that were less harmful for the environment (25 percent in California, 39 percent in Illinois and 33 percent in Washington). 7

8 Clarke 2013 Survey Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns Perceptions: Verbatim Responses The verbatim responses divulge respondent attitudes toward pesticides, and this report discusses seven themes found within those responses. Pesticides Elicit A Strong Response Key Finding: Open-ended responses to the question Based on what you know, can pesticides be safe? all indicate the respondents had strong feelings regarding safe pesticides. In addition to this overarching observation, seven themes emerged from the open-ended responses. n The following three themes were inherent in the remarks from respondents who said they thought pesticides could be safe: Pesticides can be safe if they are tested, if they are used properly/the directions are followed or if they are nature-based or organic. Below are some direct comments from respondents: If the pesticides are tested: Yes, if natural and test prior to distribution. If they are used properly/the directions are followed: n There were three themes among the responses from people who did not think pesticides could be safe: Pesticides cannot be safe because they are made with harmful products, because they can harm the things around them and because they are made specifically to kill. They are made with harmful products: No, because there are so many chemicals in them to kill insects that are also harmful to people. They can harm the things around them: I don t think so, at least not chemical ones. Because they are made to specifically kill something: Probably not completely since they kill living things there is some risk in mass quantities. n The final theme is one of uncertainty: Of those respondents who did not answer yes or no, many said it was because they were not sure if pesticides were safe or not. Most pesticides can be safe if they are used in the right way and not excess. Moderation is the key word, read and follow the directions. If they were nature-based or organic: I don t think non-organic products are safe to use but organic ones are fine. 8

9 Perceptions: Demographic and Behavior Observations Interesting findings within the data set include demographic information and mosquito control product purchasing behavior. Interesting Findings: California Has the Most Organic Purchasers Most Find Organic Mosquito Control Products Appealing % Yes 86% Yes 87% Yes 82% % 59% CA IL WA 43% As many as 86 percent of respondents in California, 87 percent in Illinois and no fewer than 82 percent in Washington indicate they would consider an OMRI Listed product. Also, no more than 18 percent in any state said they would not consider an OMRI Listed product (14 percent in California, 13 percent in Illinois and 18 percent in Washington) Organic Food or Drink 38% 38% 36% 33% 31% 28% Organic Household Care/ Cleaning Products Organic Garden Products 30% 26% Organic Personal Care Products None Organic Baby Products Organic Clothing Overall, organic purchasing is highest across each category in California. Washington slightly edges out Illinois in organic purchasing behavior. 24% 37% 32% 18% 15% 13% 14% 14% 10% 9

10 Clarke 2013 Survey Mosquito Abatement Perceptions and Concerns Most Popular Mosquito Control Product: Skin Spray 80 77% 73% 63% CA IL WA 63% 60 54% 56% Organic Mosquito Control Solutions: Especially Attractive to Women 40 40% 39% 43% 20 26% 21% 17% 12% 10% 8% 21% 7% 14% CA 53% 47% IL WA 52% 52% 0 Candles/ Coils Foggers Aerosol or pump sprays Paid for a service to spray or treat your yard On-body repellent spray or lotion, e.g. Deet I have never used mosquitocontrol products 44% 46% 50% 52% 54% Female Male On-body repellent spray was the most popular mosquito control product or service with 63 percent of respondents using mosquito control products in California, 77 percent in Illinois and 73 percent in Washington. In all three states, females (53 percent in California, 52 percent in Illinois and 52 percent in Washington) were more likely to consider using an OMRI Listed product than males (47 percent in California, 48 percent in Illinois and 48 percent in Washington). 10

11 The survey data is based on population samples from three states. A total of 1,100 residents, including 300 residents in California, 500 in Illinois and 300 in Washington, completed a web-based survey in August For more information, contact: Dave McLaughlin Director of Marketing, Clarke 110 E. Irving Park Rd., 4th floor Roselle, IL dmclaughlin@clarke.com (630)

12 global headquarters 110 E. Irving Park Rd., 4th floor, Roselle, IL Phone: (800) Fax: (630) Clarke