Question: In Friday’s paper on Page A15, it lists "Fight the Bite" about preventive measures for mosquito control, including spraying of areas that attract mosquitoes. Can we find out what chemical Vector Control uses and/or the commercial equivalent for use in our yards?

Answer: The state Department of Health’s Vector Control program is overseeing spraying of the pesticide Aqua-Reslin in certain areas of Hawaii island to control an outbreak of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease. Spraying is done based on evidence of cases or the risk of cases in an area.

Aqua-Reslin is a synergized permethrin formulation made by Bayer Environmental Science. It is restricted to application "only by public health officials and trained personnel of mosquito-abatement districts and other-mosquito control programs," according to the label.

Its active ingredients are permethrin (an insecticide) and piperonyl butoxide (a synergist that increases the effectiveness of the permethrin). The spray kills adult mosquitoes.

"Aqua-Reslin is a regulated product that can only be sold to and applied under the direction of the state Vector Control office," Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald newspaper.

The state Health Department makes no brand recommendations to people interested in using readily available pesticides for immediate, temporary control of mosquitoes on their own properties. It does advise consulting a pest control company, garden shop or chemical company and using pesticides only according to the label’s instructions.

"Eliminate adult mosquitoes with aerosol insecticide labeled for flying insects. Use insecticides specifically labeled for controlling mosquito larvae in breeding sites (standing water) that cannot be emptied or removed," the DOH advises on Web pages devoted to information about the dengue fever outbreak, which had sickened 92 people on the Big Island as of Monday.

The department cautions that "certain pesticides and their solvents may cause respiratory irritation. Persons with respiratory diseases should consult their physicians before using any pesticide. It is a violation of federal law if pesticides are not applied exactly as the label directs. Insecticides can be harmful to people, pets, wildlife and the environment when used improperly."

For more information on proper use of pesticides, see 808ne.ws/1XaBk7U.

Q: Is the spray they are using on the Big Island safe?

A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that proper use of Aqua-Reslin poses no health risk to humans or most pets, according to the state Health Department. However, as a precaution, the department does recommend that people and pets stay away from treated areas for several hours after spraying ends.

"One of the active ingredients in Aqua-Reslin can be toxic to fish, such as ornamental fish in ponds. The substance has been used as a flea treatment in dogs and cats, but as a precaution it is advisable to keep them away from sprayed areas for several hours," according to the department’s FAQ on the subject.

Q: Thanksgiving is this week, and I missed the announcement about schools doing imu fundraisers. Is it too late for kalua turkey?

A: Castle High School in Kaneohe had a few spaces left in its traditional Hawaiian cooking pit as of Monday, according to a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education. Call the school’s front office at 233-5600 or coordinating teacher Carlos Severson at 227-5324 to confirm that space remains available, and for instructions on prepping, dropping off and picking up your turkey.

It costs $20 for each turkey or other tray of food placed in the imu on Wednesday afternoon, for Thursday morning pickup (it steams overnight). The fundraiser supports Castle’s Future Farmers of America Club and agricultural program. Money raised will help build an aquaponics system and an irrigation system for soil farming.

Kailua High School’s imu is sold out, the DOE spokeswoman said. That school has hosted a Thanksgiving imu for 21 years, to support the athletic program.

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.