Mosquitos Kept in Check

 

August 3, 2022



The Blaine County Weed and Mosquito District (BCWMD) has kept a diligent fogging schedule that, along with several other variables, has created a mosquito-limited summer season for most Blaine County residents.

Although foggers began their regiment in early June, ensuing weather events put their work on standby. Until such time as fogging could resume, crews were out spreading larvicide in an effort to mitigate the impacts of the first hatch. With the timing of the first irrigation, increased moisture, and rising temperatures, the crew was predicting “a perfect storm for a heavy hatch of mosquitoes.”

That prediction was followed by weather conditions that produced high winds, cooler temperatures, and more rain. Under the influence of those variables, some of the prospective larvae probably did not hatch, according to reports from BCWMD personnel.

So despite people’s wondering, the fogging schedule has gone on as a typical year with a similar trip and treatment count. “These circumstances and variables are likely a happy accident,” said Assistant Supervisor Shane Fox. “Because our chemical cost has tripled this season, the rain and high winds have actually helped us. However, our foggers have been out ‘crushing it’ with their routes and fogging schedules.”


In fact, Fox reports that some of the few complaints this year have come from golfers who have been out on the course around sunset. “Golfers are often our best gauge for whether our mitigation efforts are working,” he said.

 
 

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