December, 2007

2007 End of year wrap up Buzz

• Dry conditions helped to keep mosquito levels low in 2007. We recorded 33.04 inches of rain in 2007; this was 16 inches below normal for the year.
• We trapped 143 CDC trap nights, 380 OFP trap nights, 0 gravid trap nights, and 61 experimental trap nights for a total of 581 trap nights this year (up from 464 in 2006). We trapped 19,085 mosquitoes comprised of 15 different mosquito species. The bulk of the trapping efforts this year were directed towards OFP traps used to evaluate a new pesticide. We had a 25%increase in the number of trap nights but caught 39% fewer mosquitoes representing only 15 different species compared to 24 different species in 2006.
• No mosquitoes were sent for virus testing in 2007 because of state funding cutbacks and the low numbers of mosquitoes caught this year.

• We received 110 mosquito complaint calls this season. Under normal mosquito production we expect to receive around 200 complaint calls per year.
• The dry conditions set up the perfect situation for explosive mosquito production. Many areas that are normally wet dried out this year killing off natural mosquito predators (fish, other insects) allowing for more mosquitoes to be produced when it did rain.
• The complaint calls showed some clustering in Routes 1, 5, and 7 this year. The major cluster in Route 1 was caused by a brood of salt marsh mosquitoes from around Craney Island (Week 35-36). The Army Corps, Navy, and City met and adjusted the mosquito control strategies to mitigate future broods of salt marsh mosquitoes. The cluster of complaints in Route 5 and 7 were caused by the Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (Week 33-36). The only effective way to eliminate Tiger Mosquitoes is through source reduction efforts. Every property owner must do their part to eliminate standing water around their property.

• The map this year includes the various sites inspected in the city this year. A total of 2,386 inspections were made on 1,348 individual sites this year. We are in the process of updating our existing mosquito surveillance hardware and software to provide for more complete inspection records. The goal is to automate many of the procedures used to generate the weekly summary of mosquito control activities.

• City’s mosquito control crew truck fogged 40,776 acres this season down from 60,000 acres last year. The majority of the truck fogging in 2007 was evaluating a new pesticide. The city teamed up with chemical manufacture to test a new pesticide used to control adult mosquitoes. The partnership provide over $20,000 worth of pesticide and the ability to evaluate a new pesticide with out any cost to the city. This is part of our on going efforts to improve the effectiveness of pesticide applications.
• No aerial larviciding was conducted this season due to the dry conditions.
• The United States Air Force conducted one aerial spray flight spraying around 5,800 acres in Portsmouth including Craney Island.

• The cooperative program was tested in new ways this past season.
• This year we worked together Army Corps of Engineers to have two successful aerial applications of larvicide on Craney Island; reducing the impact of mosquitoes on the citizens of Portsmouth.
• The City, Army Corps of Engineers, and Navy have a good working cooperative program in place. We have a sound program with the flexibility to adjust to the conditions observed each year. The program in place has successfully reduced the impacts of salt marsh mosquitoes negatively affecting citizens in Portsmouth.

• Our outreach activities included the 12th Annual NEAT summit this spring held at Pine Crest Baptist Church. Other activities we participated in included a presentation to the Churchland Civic League, manning the mosquito display at the Long Point Block Party, and participating in career day at Churchland Elementary School.

• Our source reduction efforts continued to expand in 2007 and our work have paid huge dividends. We removed an estimated 3,960 cubic yards of sediment and vegetation; restoring function to 5,280 linear feet of ditch line at the Portsmouth Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill. More efforts are being scheduled for 2008.