HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 03-02 Mosquito treatment began before the ice had melted MAPLEWOOD REVIEW 3/2/2016 Linda Baumeister/Review Lillie Suburban Newspapers-Li IIieNews.com
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Mosquito e e nt began before the ice had melted
With all the recent news of the Zika virus, mosquitoes have unexpectedly become feared insects in the depths of winter.
While Minnesotans have to deal with bothersome mosquito swarms every spring and summer,at least they can take some
comfort in knowing that the mosquitoes that transmit the Zika virus don't live in this region.The Minnesota climate is simply
too cold for the species that carries the virus.
But that doesn't mean mosquitoes aren't an ongoing concern in the state,and what most Twin Citians may not know is that
mosquito treatment actually started last week before the ice had even begun to melt.
The cattail mosquito is a particularly aggressive species with an unusual lifecycle.This species likes to bite humans,and if
left untreated they will emerge around the Fourth of July,just in time for family picnics and fireworks shows.
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3/2/2016 Linda Baumeister/Review I Lillie Suburban Newspapers-Li IIieNews.com
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District is targeting this species in its treatment of around 100 acres of cattail marshes in
the area.The government agency serves the seven counties that make up the Twin Cities metro area.
Instead of laying their eggs in the spring or summer like other mosquitoes,cattail mosquitoes lay their eggs in autumn in deep
wetlands where cattails float on vegetative mats with their roots suspended.After hatching,these mosquito larvae drill
breathing tubes in the cattails and survive there through the winter.
Because of this,they are actually under the water where they remain unbothered by the typical summer treatments.To get at
this species,the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District uses time-release methoprene briquettes before the ice melts.When
the ice melts,these briquettes slowly sink into the water and are able to reach under the cattail mats.
Methoprene acts as a mosquito growth inhibiter,which means it stops the mosquito pupa from maturing to an adult mosquito,
and only an adult mosquito will feed on humans' blood.
"The amount of methoprene is extremely small and mosquitoes are extremely sensitive,"said Mike McLean, MMCD
communications coordinator.
According to the MMCD website, methoprene poses"no danger to people, pets,or wildlife,even if they drink the water,"and
does not deprive birds and bats of their food because these animals do not rely on only one source of food. However, if
neighborhoods want to opt out of mosquito treatment,the MMCD is willing to work with them.
The first mosquito treatment of the year usually occurs mid to late February and the MMCD continues larval surveillance and
control through November.
"This year was a bit of a time crunch because the ice is getting pretty mushy," McLean said.
"It seems that whatever the Mosquito Control is doing must be working because we very seldom get complaints either way,"
said Oakdale public works director Brian Bachmeier.
Michael Thompson, Maplewood public works director,said that Maplewood typically doesn't receive complaints about
mosquito treatment,though residents will sometimes inquire about the helicopters flying over the city or the MMCD workers in
the parks.
Maplewood officials refer residents to the MMCD website for a full list of areas being treated and what those areas are being
treated for.To check your area,visitwww.mmcd.or /iq s-my-site-treated.
Though there have been few calls about mosquito treatment, Maplewood does get its fair share of calls concerning mosquito
breeding grounds.According to Thompson, most of those calls are residents concerned about a neighbor's standing body of
water such as an outdoor hot tub or swimming pool.
According to McLean,there are 51 different mosquito species in Minnesota. Different mosquito species prefer different
habitats and food. Most of those species don't bite people. For example,there are many species that only bite birds.
"A lot of people think because they have wetland [near their home]they'll have human-biting mosquitoes," McLean said."It's
important to be treating human-biting mosquitoes and not killing bugs for killing bugs."
The different mosquito species are also associated with the spread of different diseases.Zika virus and West Nile virus are
two of the most commonly discussed diseases spread by mosquitoes, but there is good news for Minnesotans. Minnesotans
may have to deal with mosquitoes every summer, but we are at a low risk for the Zika virus.
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"This[winter treatment]really doesn't have anything to do with the Zika virus.We really don't have the species here to spread
that," McLean said.
"West Nile virus is something we pay attention to every summer, but only certain species can spread it. If you don't have those
particular species around,you pretty much don't have to worry about it."
Aundrea Kinney can be reached at akinney&lillienews.com or at 651-748-7822.
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