Source: Des Moines Register
By JASON PULLIAM • jpulliam@dmreg.com • May 25, 2009
Officials in Des Moines and Polk County say they don't want to hear that annoying mosquito's whine any more than residents do this summer.
That's why crews have already begun to crisscross the metro area by land and air to minimize the insects' chances of a successful breeding season. Aerial larvicide drops in large areas of standing water have already been made to help torpedo mosquitoes before they take flight.
The heavy rainfall that triggered last summer's historic floods in Iowa doesn't necessarily mean more bloodsuckers will crash backyards this summer, said Lyric Bartholomay, an assistant professor of medical entomology at Iowa State University. We really can't predict from year to year," she said. "The years are really independent of one another in terms of what happens with mosquitoes."
Bartholomay said this season's insect crop will depend on how things take shape over the next few weeks. Spring rains have coincided with cool temperatures, a less than ideal combination from a mosquito's standpoint.
But now that the mercury has started to rise, more rainfall could translate into the kinds of conditions that breed higher numbers of the winged menaces — all 55 or so species that inhabit Iowa.
"If we don't get a lot of rain, then maybe we'll be OK," Bartholomay said. She said mosquito numbers have been average the past few years, and they aren't any more troublesome here elsewhere in the Midwest.
People like to joke each summer that the mosquito should be anointed the state bird, but it could be worse.
Lee County in Florida will spend $25 million this year to battle mosquitoes. There will be another $9.5 million in reserves. Wayne Gale, executive director of the Lee County Mosquito Control District, has 14 helicopters and five planes at his disposal.
"It's a large area, and you really don't want people to suffer too long," said Shelly Redovan, communications director for the area.
Polk County has about $98,450 to fight mosquitoes this year. That includes money for the aerial drops and ground spraying.
Budget cuts will mean less money for the battle, though adjustments could be made, officials said.
"We want to control it enough to where it doesn't become a public health nuisance," said John Rowen, a development services manager for the county.
In addition to the aerial drops, Des Moines crews check and treat about 400 sites, said Jack Hansen, an inspections supervisor.
The city's mosquito budget contains about $65,000 to cover labor, chemicals and aerial drops. Puddles, ravines, storm-water ponds and river basins are all treated.
Hansen said he doesn't dabble in forecasts when it comes to mosquitoes. "I've given up predicting," he said. "There are times when you're expecting an explosion and there's only a relatively minor problem. It goes the other way at times."
Budget constraints will prevent a second aerial drop later this season, but dry weather in late summer generally takes care of the problem naturally.
"If there was a health emergency that would arise, we would find the money to do it, I'm sure," Hansen said.
