Town of Dedham

 

2007 REPORT OF THE NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT

 

The operational program of the Project integrates all proven technologies into an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system of mosquito control and vector management that is rational, environmentally sensitive and cost effective.

 

All mosquito eggs need water to hatch and to sustain larval growth.

 

Water Management Activities: An important component of our IPM approach is the management of shallow, standing, stagnant water, and the maintenance of existing flow systems which if neglected can contribute to mosquito breeding. In addition to normal drainage system maintenance, Project personnel advised residents on removal of water holding artificial containers on their property for the purpose of eliminating potential West Nile virus mosquito breeding habitat.

 

Drainage ditches checked/cleaned                                                                4,325 feet

Culverts checked /cleaned                                                                                          43 culverts

Brush obstructing drainage cut                                                                                180 feet

 

Larval Control: Treatment of mosquito larvae during aquatic development is the next most effective control effort. The products used during these applications were Bti and Methoprene.

 

Aerial larvicide applications                                                                                 402 acres

Larval control using briquette & granular applications                                     22.8 acres

Rain Basin treatments using briquettes (West Nile virus control)                1,100 basins

 

Adult Control: The suppression of flying adult mosquitoes becomes necessary when they are numerous, annoying, and/or threaten public health. The product used during these applications was Sumithrin.

 

Adult control aerosol applications from trucks                                            7,649 acres

 

Surveillance: Surveys, inspections, and monitoring in support of our program include GIS mapping of breeding areas, larval and adult collections, and fieldwork evaluations leading to better  water management. West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been active in Norfolk County over the past several years which has resulted in an expansion of the surveillance program in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), State Laboratory Institute. MDPH has requested that the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project expand mosquito surveillance across the county for the purpose of detecting viruses in collected mosquitoes as an early warning system for the residents of the county. Considerable manpower has been reallocated to these efforts, which is not reflected in this report.

 

Respectfully submitted,___________________________   John J. Smith, Director