By David Fleet

Editor

Atlas Twp.-The latest buzz in the township may be some dead mosquitoes.

On Monday night the board of trustees discussed the possibility of a township-wide mosquito abatement program.

Shirley Kautman-Jones, township supervisor, said the suggestion was presented by Goodrich Village Council President Mark Baldwin to possibly join the village in a joint mosquito abatement program

“I feel a township-wide vote would be in order prior to a mosquito abatement,” said Kautman-Jones. “Currently we don’t treat for mosquitoes at our home and I would not be in favor of spraying but it should be up to the residents.”

Kautman-Jones questioned the effectiveness of the mosquito abatement.

“I understand they spray (for mosquitoes) along the roadway but many residents here in the townshp live a long way off the road at the end of long driveways,” she said.

Baldwin said he contacted three pest control companies and the costs ranged from about $26,000 to $45,000 for just the Village of Goodrich. The price for the entire township was not quoted.

“A resident brought up the idea of spraying for mosquitoes in the village,” said Baldwin. “It’s something we should all think about. Consider the West Nile and the Zika viruses– it’s all still a real problem. I’m interested in what the residents want to do.”

The Oakland County Health Division is urging residents to take protective measures against mosquito-borne diseases, including the Zika and West Nile viruses. Last year, West Nile Virus was confirmed in three Oakland County residents, including Mary Ann Quisenberry. The 81-year-old Ortonville mother and grandmother died from the illness Sept. 14, three weeks after she began exhibiting flu-like symptoms associated with the virus.

“It’s hard to put a price on health,” added Baldwin. “The process would take some time to get going, there are permits before any application. Spraying starts in April so it would be a year to get it going.”

Zika Virus has not yet been identified in Michigan, unlike West Nile, which has been present for years, but is expected to make its way here.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and mosquitoes become infected from biting infected persons and then continue to transmit the disease.

Pregnant women are particularly in danger as the virus can be spread to the unborn baby, not only from the mother, but through sexual contact from her partner. Men who have traveled to a country with a Zika virus outbreak are encouraged to abstain from sex with a pregnant partner or use a condom to possibly avoid spreading infection. There is no vaccine or medicine to treat the Zika virus, which can result in birth defects.

Kevin Meylan, of Saginaw-based Rose Pest Solutions attended the township meeting. Currently in Genesee County, Grand Blanc, Mundy and Montrose townships along with the City of Montrose are part of the mosquito abatement program.

“The municipal-wide programs are more effective compared to individual residents receiving treatments,” said Meylan, following Monday’s meeting. “Mosquitoes travel for a mile looking for a blood source and it may be an issue of a home or property that has water on it that prompts more active larva. The greater the cooperation between homeowners the greater the benefit for neighbors. There’s also a significant cost savings compared to lot to lot.”

Meylan said that a individual’s home will cost about $150 per year to treat compared to $20-$30 for a resident on the community-wide plan.

Locally Grand Blanc Township utlized a mosquito abatement program for more than 12 years. The 36 square miles has a population of more than 35,000 and funds the abatement program with .17 mills or about $17 per year for a $100,000 home. In addition to Grand Blanc—Mundy and Montrose townships along with the City of Montrose have mosquito abatement programs in place.

Maylan said that Rose Pest Solutions follow the Department of Agriculture guidelines for application. The mosquitoes are controlled through larviciding—the general term for killing immature mosquitoes by applying agents. The use of granules, spread like fertilizer where the active ingredient attacks the larva and interferes with the mosquito’s ability to molt prompting drowning before they reach adulthood.

“The product has the toxicity of table sugar,” he said. “Animals or people can have contact with the water with no problems.”

Maylan added that fogging truck covers 150 feet on both sides of the roadway and is safe to be standing outside when they come through the neighborhood.

“In the case of long driveways like those in Atlas Township we use backpack foggers to cover the treelines and where else it is needed,” he added.