The Buzz on Brainerd's Battle Against the Mosquito

by Sheila Helmberger

This summer residents in Brainerd have something else to blame on the bad economy: Mosquitoes.

Several times in the past the city has been approached by residents about the possibility of using a contractor to spray for summer's biggest pests. This past year the city council even got as far as appointing a committee to research and discuss the options and listen to presentations from prospective contractors.

The committee was made up of city council members, community residents and city staff.

Brainerd City Council member Anne Nelson Fisher served on the committee. "We reviewed the history of where the mosquito debate has been in Brainerd. This isn't the first time the council has been asked to consider a chemical means to eradicate mosquitoes." She said they discussed methods of control, city liability and the costs that would be involved.

"There were a variety of opinions on the committee," said Nelson Fisher. The presentations were very eye-opening she said. "Personally I don't think I would have voted for spraying. A lot of people have reactions to those chemicals. We learned that they will kill other things too, like butterflies. " Most admit other arthropods, honeybees and fish could be put at risk. "Biologists say that mosquitoes build up resistance to those chemicals, so eventually they are less effective anyway," she said.

"I'm not sure how it would have turned out. Some people on the committee were really bothered and had reactions to mosquito bites so I understand their points of view, too." Doing it at night, they were told, was one way to miss other types of insects and bugs and a time when most people would be inside.

It turns out cities that do spray for mosquitoes use a variety of methods. Companies the committee heard from opted for waging the battle against the mosquito using briquettes or pellets that would be put into the water that mosquitoes breed in, including lakes and rivers. Some used sprays. One type of chemical killed them in the larva stage. Some methods that can be used target the adult mosquitoes.

The vendors said most of the chemicals are registered with the EPA, or advertised as being hypoallergenic, and they could include provisions if they sprayed for homeowner who would wish to have their residences skipped when the application was done. There were questions among committee members as to how that could be done effectively.

"It's a lengthy process, too" said Nelson Fisher." They have to come back - even if you wipe out one generation you will have another coming up. It was education," she said of the presentation.

Estimates for the size and population of the city came in at tens of thousands of dollars, which was the deciding factor in the end. The committee did not need to vote for a final recommendation. "About the time our committee was winding up its' work about fogging, the economy started failing and we knew the city budget couldn't expand to include tens of thousands of dollars. We knew there just wasn't going to be an expansion of the city budget at that time."

For now Nelson Fisher said the Brainerd City Council has decided the best attack on our mosquitoes is to encourage homeowners to fight them individually.The Council has released a list of suggestions that are effective.

"There are all kinds of different things people can use on their own," she said, "the Deet in repellents is said to work and citronella candles. I've read a few things on natural products that have good results at deterring them but it doesn't eliminate them."

In the past the city has contributed to spraying for the 4th of July festivities. They will not do so this year. It will be done only if Community Action can raise the funds.

Following is a list of recommendations from the Brainerd City Council to homeowners:

~ Clean rain gutters, swimming pools, bird baths, and other standing water locations to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

~ Take part in community clean-up projects to remove old tires and other potential breeding sites.

~ Aerate landscaping ponds to keep water moving.

~ Limit outside activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

~ Wear light-colored clothing, since mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.

~ Wear repellent. Repellents with DEET are very effective, but the amount used on children should be carefully monitored . Many other, more natural products are available on the market as well including a new product, Cutter Advanced with the chemical picaridin.

~ Keep windows and doors tightly sealed and keep screens in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of the house.

~ Use the larval insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) according to package directions.

~ Some people find citronella candles are effective repellents.

~ Spray or fog personal yard space. (Be neighborly and make sure others are not bothered by the scent of candles or chemicals if you're using these options close to others' homes.)


READER COMMENTS:

Years ago, I read that vanilla extract works as a mosquito repellent. I've used it ever since and never had a problem with mosquito bites. I just fold a paper towel, pour the vanilla extract on the paper towel and wipe it on the skin. It has worked beautifully for my family - and we smell good. (This works great as we bang around the yard. It has also proven perfectly effective at outdoor music festivals. I'm not sure how well it would work while camping in the Boundary Waters) - Katie Carter