Thanks to the on the ground efforts of Ada County staff as well as the citizens of Ada County, 2007 was a much safer year for West Nile virus infections.  Ada County is fortunate to have a mosquito abatement district that covers the entire county.  Out neighbor to the west, Canyon County is now in the process of expanding its jurisdictional authority to cover the entire county in response to the threat of West Nile virus.  Mosquitoes do not recognize county boundaries and it is important we continue to work together to control the spread of West Nile virus.

Each year, Ada County develops a county-wide Mosquito Abatement Plan.  This plan DOES NOT call for aerial spraying in order to control mosquitoes.  Ada County’s plan focuses efforts in on-the-ground applications in areas where mosquitoes breed.  Our state of the art GPS tracking system allows Ada County to inform the public and control the spread of mosquitoes.  Thanks to the efforts of the public and Ada County mosquito abatement staff, Ada County was able to avoid a repeat of last year when West Nile virus became a public health hazard requiring aerial spraying under the Statewide Abatement plan.

Equally important to me is the ability to accommodate those who make a living growing organic produce.  Ada County allows organic producers to opt-out of the County’s treatment program if property owners submit an abatement plan which is approved by Ada County.  These property owners are still required to develop their own means of controlling mosquitoes and if surveillance indicates that the control measures are not effective, Ada County will then take action to treat those areas.  This program was rolled out for the first time this year and we are working to improve the program.  This effort demonstrates Ada County’s committment to serving all of its citizens in controlling the spread of West Nile virus.

My goal for Ada County mosquito abatement is to continue to:

1. improve surveillance and on-the-ground treatment
2. work with organic producers to approve effective no-spray zones
3. partner with the community to “fight the bite”  

  For more up to date information, please go to:

http://www.adaweb.net/departments/weedpestmosquito/MosquitoAbatementHome.asp