Education, prevention and limited use of larvicide will be the weapons against mosquitoes that might carry the West Nile virus into Springfield Township.
Trustees on Thursday, April 10 agreed to use $9,238.32 in Oakland County funds to treat township catch basins and wet retention basins with a larvicide.
They will not attempt to treat lakes, ponds or other natural wetlands, however, nor will there be special attempts to spray adult mosquito populations. Officials said the West Nile virus is only carried by what they call an ‘urban? breed of mosquito predominantly found in catch basins, tire piles and ‘stagnant water? locations.
‘I think it’s important for residents to understand that everyday mosquitoes don’t carry the West Nile Virus,? Supervisor Collin Walls said. ‘A properly functioning wetland is not home to this mosquito.?
Businesses and residents will be called to battle with an educational campaign urging the elimination of stagnant water areas.
‘Spraying would definitely be inappropriate and ineffective,? said Clerk Nancy Strole, who disagreed with some of the elements of the full program proposed by the Oakland County Health Division. ‘The educational component can go a long way. . . [and] larvicide can be effective if used judiciously.?
Supervisor Collin Walls said prevention should be the emphasis because, ‘at least to date, as far as I know, there has been no indication of a [West Nile] problem in this general northwest Oakland County area.?
Walls said there will likely be coordination with the Road Commission for Oakland County to, first, clean debris from catch basins prior to the May-June larvicide treatment time and, second, document and record all catch basins on their right-of-way.
The health department will coordinate training of volunteers to properly apply the larvicide, Walls said.