Standard Operating Procedure
AUTHORITY:
RCW 17.28 the Washington Mosquito Control Districts Statutes. These statutes authorize properly formed mosquito control districts to carry out provisions of these statutes. The Franklin County Mosquito Control District (FCMCD) is a properly formed district and this operational plan is within the scope of the authority provided for such districts by RCW 17.28. Enforcement of the RCW 17.28 statutes within the District shall be the responsibility of the Franklin County Mosquito Control District’s Board of Trustees.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES:
Adequate insurance and funding has been secured by Franklin County Mosquito Control District. Integrated pest management activities shall be coordinated with, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Health and with other interested parties and/or agencies.
FIELD OPERATIONS:
The scope of field operations is currently limited to mosquito control within the District. Other duties of the District can be address in the future as/or when the District is capable of performing those duties.
MOSQUITO SURVEY:
Franklin County Mosquito Control District will deploy the following mosquito survey (surveillance) devices within the District in the months from May through October:
10-15 CDC type dry ice baited mosquito traps for adult mosquito survey
Plus additional CDC type traps placed where necessary.
The above traps are set out one night per week and picked up the following day.
Mosquito Larvae Inspections: Field survey routes of mosquito breeding areas are established throughout the District and new areas of potential mosquito breeding areas are being added to the routes as they are found. These routes are inspected at least weekly (within six days) during the mosquito season (March through October).
Mosquito Identification:
FCMCD has implemented an in house adult mosquito monitoring/surveillance program. Every week (April-October) all trapped adult mosquitoes are identified to genus and species and tested for Arbovirus presence. The Mosquito Pools will be tested using a RAMP Antigen Assay Test screening for West Nile Virus, St. Louis encephalitis and Western Equine Encephalitis. The District Provides a weekly report on findings of our mosquito collections. If any virus is present it will help us pinpoint the areas of the County that are mot at risk and allow us to increase approved detection/control measures as needed. (See FCMCD, SOP for Arbovirus Emergencies).
MOSQUITO CONTROL MEASURES:
Physical Control Measures:
We (FCMCD) will continue to identify and initiate activities to reduce the amount of mosquito breeding habitat area when feasible and within regulations. These activities would be; draining of areas of shallow stagnate water, increase flow rates in irrigation and drainage canals, elimination of water holding waste containers and the reduction and/or elimination of vegetation in slack/stagnant water which support mosquito breeding areas. Most of these activities can be achieved through cooperative agreements with property owners, other agencies, political subdivisions and public education. The District is also increasing the size of the seasonal staff to assist in the control of mosquito breeding.
Mosquito Larvicide Applications:
Mosquito larvicide applications are given top priority since this type of control is more selective and effective in reducing mosquito populations. This type of mosquito control measure requires considerable personnel, equipment, materials, planning, mosquito survey work and expense. However, these types of applications offer the best long-term control for mosquitoes.
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) are used for mosquito larvicide’s and applied to mosquito breeding areas when mosquito larvae are found in the 1st to 3rd instar life stages. Methoprene (IGR) is used for mosquito larvicide and applied to mosquito breeding areas when mosquito larvae are found in the 1st to 4th instar life stages and Agnique (MMF) and BVA 2 Mosquito Larvicide Oil are used for mosquito larvicide and pupacide and applied to mosquito breeding areas when mosquito larvae/pupa are found in any life stage .
Adult Mosquito (Adulticide) Applications:
The use of ultra low volume (ULV) insecticide spray will be completed in county areas where mosquito trapping, landing and biting rate counts and verifiable complaints from county residents indicate considerable adult mosquito populations.
The current mosquito insecticide used in ULV treatments by the District is Permethrin 4+4 ULV concentrate a non-residual insecticide with excellent efficacy against flying mosquitoes. Applications of Permethrin will be completed to reduce mosquito populations for county resident’s health protection and the reduction of biting mosquito pests.
All ULV treatments are announced publicly at the beginning of the mosquito season (May). The FCMCD has established a “Call Before Spraying List “ for those residents of the FCMCD who wish to be called prior to ULV spraying in the areas in which they live.
All ULV treatments are restricted to FCMCD jurisdiction and all treatments are applied according to the insecticide’s label directions (under FIFRA law). All treatment equipment is calibrated as per the insecticide label directions and are certified yearly as correctly operational. Exceptions to the above stated operational plan may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with priority given to emergency health related issues. Changes to these operational plans shall be conditionally set on the specific site to be treated, the insecticide to be used and the time frame in which the exception will be in effect.
Public Health Pest Control Applicators:
The FCMCD manager and supervisory staff posses a current Professional Applicator’s License with certifications of Law and Safety and Public Operator categories issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Unlicensed FCMCD personnel will work under the direct supervision of the licensed staff. FCMCD personnel will receive the required safety and pesticide handling training and wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling and applying pesticide products.
DATA AND REPORTS:
The FCMCD uses a GIS/GPS mapping system and computer databases to schedule inspections, applications and documentation all of its mosquito control activities. The FCMCD shall maintain mosquito control records to document activities conducted within the scope of physical, chemical and biological control methods of mosquito control. The collected documentation will be historical field data, field survey reports, mosquito trap reports, arbovirus surveillance reports, pesticide application records, physical control records, projects and constituent complaint records. Additional records will also be kept and available for examination.
FCMCD will develop and produce annual reports of its mosquito control activities. These reports will be made available to the WSDA, WSHD, Franklin County Commissioners and other interested parties and agencies.