Mosquito ControlFlathead County Mosquito Control Page 1 of 2
Flathead County Mosquito Control
Our Program
The Flathead County Mosquito Control (FCMC) program has two primary goals. The first is to protect the citizens of Flathead County from
mosquito-bome diseases such as West Nile Virus. The second goal is to reduce the negative impact of nuisance mosquitoes on outdoor activities.
These goals are achieved through a comprehensive approach, employing integrated pest management principles in a program that is
environmentally responsible, fiscally prudent and operationally effective.
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This is perhaps the most important component of our program. Control measures are not undertaken until we have confirmed that a problem
exists. The goal of surveillance is to identify probable breeding habitats, measure production levels and treat areas that contribute to the problem.
Beginning each spring FCMC routinely
checks over 1050 mapped sites in
Flathead County for the presence of
mosquito larva.
A large number of our surveillance visits are initiated as a result of complaint calls by the public. If you have water on or near your property and you
believe this to be a source of mosquito production, email bqunderson@flathead.mt.gov with a description (street name or Township, Range and
Section), a contact number and a good time to return your call.
Surveillance and treatment progress can be viewed online at the County GIS site. Read Terms of Use box and click "I Agree'. Go to Table of
Contents box and click the 'Y' next too Environmental. Now click the 'Y'and check the box next to Mosquito Sites. Zoom into you area to monitor
activities.
Points (dots), lines and polygon shapes are color coded too represent their current status
GREEN shapes are not of current concern, have been recently treated or checked by field personnel.
BLUE shapes are on schedule to be checked for the presence of mosquito larva.
RED shapes represent areas that have been identified as producing larva and need to be treated
Disease Surveillance
FCMC maintains adult mosquito traps in several locations in the Flathead County throughout the West Nile Virus season. Dry ice is used as an
attractant to lure adult mosquitoes into a vacuum container. Samples are sent to Carroll College in Helena to test for the presence of West Nile
Virus.
In the event West Nile Virus is
detected in Flathead County, this
information will become available
through Press Releases to the media
and on our website.
http://www.flathead.mt.gov/mosquitoes/FlatheadCountyMosquitoCont... 3/7/2012
Flathead County Mosquito Control Page 2 of 2
Methods of Control
FCMC is dedicated to using only EPA approved products in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Larva control has been proven to be
the most effective method of reducing mosquito populations.
Larvicides currently in use by FCMC include:
BTi (Bacillus thuringiensis, subspecies israelensis) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium. Thirty years of widespread Bacillus thuringiensis use has
produced no confirmed reports of immediate or delayed allergic reactions to the delta-endotoxin itself despite significant oral, dermal, and inhalation
exposure to the microbial product.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticidestbiopesticidesti ng red ients/factsheets/factsheet_006476. htm
Altosid® containing Methoprene is a compound which mimics the action of an insect growth regulation hormone. It is used as an insecticide
because it interferes with normal maturation process. With this product larva will only mature to the pupa stage and will not develop to flying adult
mosquitoes.
http: //www. epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/i ngred ients/factsheets/factsheet_igr. htm
Agnique MMF® (Monomolecular Surface Film) is an extremely light oil that does not allow mosquito larva to break this surface tension to breath
. http://www.epa.gov/opp00001 /health/mosq u itoes/Iarvicides4mosq u itoes. htm#oi Is
Water bodies containing larva are treated with the appropriate product and then checked to measure the effectiveness.
Education
Presentations with regard to Mosquito Control in Flathead County are available to school classes K-12 and to civic organizations by request. Email
Bruce Gunderson at bunderson@flathead.mt.gov to schedule.
http://www.flathead.mt.gov/mosquitoes/FlatheadCountyMosquitoCont... 3/7/2012