Ortonville – Based on a recommendation from Village Manager Paul Zelenak, the council members opted not to spray mosquitos in the village this year.
However, in an ongoing effort to prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus, the village will attempt to kill mosquito larvae, or eggs, instead of killing the mosquitos.
Although not present at the village meeting, in a memo to Village President Sue Bess, Zelenak explained that both he and the county recommend that instead of spraying strategic areas around the village, the council consider placing mosquito larvae tablets in the drainage systems within the village.
‘Paul has expressed that he, and the county, thinks it is an advantage to use the larvae wafers instead of spraying,? said Village Council President Sue Bess as she made the recommendation known to the council.
Zelenak said Oakland County Health Division research indicates that the larvae killing tablet method of controlling mosquito population is a more proactive, preventative measure rather than reactively killing the virus carrying mosquito.
Zelenak said the tablets, which disburse an oil-like larvacide on standing water, will be placed in the more than 125 sewer drains, storm water runoffs, and catch basins throughout the village.
According to the county health division, larvae prefer water with a high organic content, such as sewer drains and catch basins, which number approximately 125 within the village.
Village Clerk, Mary Clark says the village is planning to purchase enough larvicide wafers for five applications, which will total approximately $575, as opposed to the spray applications in village parks costing the village more than $1,800 in 2003.
Council agreed that if mosquitos begin swarming the village by July or August, they will then consider spraying.