Mosquito Control activity happening in your community
Author: Jessica Bushnell, Broadwater County Weed and Mosquito Control
Mosquito Control Activity Happening in Your Community Jessica Bushnell Broadwater County Weed and Mosquito Control The Townsend Mosquito District (TMD) will be conducting surveillance and treatment activities to reduce the risk of disease and annoyance in an environmentally-sensitive manner.
• Ground larval treatments - applying control materials to a wetland with a backpack. • Catch basin treatments - applying control materials to neighborhood catch basins. • Setting or collecting traps - surveillance helps TMD determine where and what types of mosquitoes are active. • Ground adulticide applications - using ultra-low volume insecticides to target adult flying mosquitoes. • Wetland surveillance-determining if ponds or swaps have mosquito larvae present.
The control materials and methods used by TMD are regularly tested for safety and only applied when surveillance indicates they would be effective. The active ingredients are specifically designed to target mosquito larvae or adults with minimal impacts on non-target insects. The control materials are not harmful to people, pets, or wildlife. Please remember we cannot operate the fogger if we can see you on our route. We cannot operate the fogger under windy or rainy conditions. Evening operation will be posted on the TownsendThreeForksMosquito Facebook page, please look there for the most current route updates.
Window screens should be inspected and repaired if damaged to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home. In addition, any openings around window air conditioners, clothes dryer vents, etc. should be eliminated for the same reason. If possible, avoid outdoor activities around dusk. If not possible, wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best. Appropriate use of insect repellents per the manufacturer’s instructions is recommended. Residents should look for potential mosquito breeding sources around the home and take the following simple steps:
1) Throw away all trash that can hold water such as cans, jars, bottles, etc. 2) Clean rain gutters/downspouts to prevent water from standing in gutters or on flat roofs. 3) Change water in bird baths, wading pools, etc. at least once a week. 4) Maintain swimming pools properly. 5) Remove or turn over containers, buckets, wheelbarrows, etc. which may accumulate water. 6) Screen rain barrels to prevent adult mosquitoes from depositing eggs on the water’s surface. 7) Aerate ornamental ponds and stock with goldfish or other surface-feeding fish to control mosquito production. 8) Dispose of any used tires without rims to prevent water accumulation.
If you are interested in having the Townsend Mosquito District expand into your area; we are in search of engaged members of the public to spearhead the process. It begins with drafting a petition and getting other interested landowners to sign. If you are interested and need more information please reach out at 406-266-9243 or on our website https://www.broadwatercountymt.com/noxious-weed-mosquito-department
