Mosquito Control In The Time Of COVID-19 – WCCO
April 30, 2020
Mosquitoes vs. Midges: What’s Bugging You?
May 7, 2020
Metropolitan Mosquito Control District trucks and helicopters will be out in neighborhoods and parks and with more people at home, they may be more visible this year.
SAINT PAUL – Warmer weather means that mosquito season is quickly approaching and the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) will be out conducting surveillance and treatment activities to reduce the risk of disease and annoyance in an environmentally-sensitive manner.
Each year the field staff at MMCD monitors and treats wetlands that breed mosquitoes with a fleet of trucks and helicopters. The difference in 2020 is that due to the Minnesota “Stay-at-Home” order and other precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, more people may be home to notice MMCD activities in local neighborhoods and parks.
At times MMCD employees may need to cross private property for access to check and treat areas for mosquito larvae. Mosquito control staff will be practicing social distancing, wearing masks when near people, and working individually as often as possible. MMCD management asks the community to please stay at least 6 feet away from field staff and ensure children and pets are kept at a distance. If you have questions about mosquito control activities or concerns about an employee, please call the MMCD front desk at (651) 645-9149 or visit MMCD.org.
Some of the activities that MMCD may be doing in your community include:
- Wetland surveillance – determining if ponds or swamps have mosquito larvae present.
- Catchbasin surveillance – pulling off grates and inspecting neighborhood catch basins to determine if mosquito larvae are present.
- Ground larval treatments – applying control materials to a wetland with a hand spreader or backpack.
- Helicopter larval treatments – applying control materials to a wetland via helicopter.
- Catchbasin treatments – applying control materials to neighborhood catchbasins.
- Setting or collecting traps – surveillance helps MMCD determine where and what types of mosquitoes are active.
The control materials and methods used by MMCD are regularly tested for safety and only applied when surveillance indicates they would be effective. They are designed specifically to target mosquito larvae or adults with minimal impacts on non-target insects. The control materials are not harmful to people, pets, or wildlife. For a complete list of control materials used, please visit MMCD.org.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District appreciates your support during this unprecedented time. For information about how MMCD is adapting to take COVID-19 precautions or for tips on how to reduce mosquitoes near your home, please visit MMCD.org.
###
For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact Alex Carlson – acarlson@mmcd.org or (612) 750-9960.
