Mosquito-Borne Illnesses + a “30-Cent Solution” to the Global Water Crisis w/ Kurt Avery

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On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael speaks with Kurt Avery, founder and president of Sawyer Products, about the growing threat of mosquito-borne illnesses, tick-borne disease, and the practical ways people can protect themselves and their families.

With dengue appearing in Florida and West Nile virus being reported across the United States, why do mosquito-borne illnesses often seem to surge later in the year? Avery explains what he calls the “inverse pyramid,” in which mosquito-borne infections can build throughout the warmer months as more infected people provide opportunities for mosquitoes to spread disease.

Avery breaks down the differences between dengue and West Nile, how mosquitoes transmit these illnesses, why standing water in something as small as a flower pot or birdbath can become a breeding ground, and why avoiding mosquito exposure at dawn and dusk can make a difference.

We also get into one of the most interesting aspects of mosquito prevention: permethrin-treated clothing. Avery explains how permethrin works, why he considers it a first line of defense, how long treatment can remain effective, and why treated clothing can be especially useful for children, hikers, hunters, gardeners, and anyone spending time outdoors. He also discusses picaridin as an alternative to DEET and explains why Sawyer has increasingly focused on what he calls “the two Ps,” permethrin and picaridin.

But mosquitoes aren't the only problem. Avery argues that ticks may pose an even greater threat, discusses the diseases they can transmit, and offers practical advice for reducing exposure, including treating shoes and socks with permethrin.

J.G. Michael also asks Avery about an important ecological question: how should communities control disease-carrying insects without creating unintended environmental consequences? Avery discusses the problems he sees with indiscriminate mosquito spraying, including the possibility of selecting for more resistant mosquito populations, and explains why his approach emphasizes repelling insects rather than simply trying to kill them.

The conversation then takes a much broader turn. Avery discusses Sawyer's work providing inexpensive water filtration systems in com