NEW JERSEY MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION, INC. NEWSLETTER

VOL. XI NUMBER 4 February 2000

Profile of: The Morris County  Mosquito Extermination Commission

The Morris County Mosquito Commission was a relative latecomer to the New Jersey mosquito control scene, organized in 1928. The program grew rapidly during the 1930s, however, to become one of the larger Commissions in New Jersey, and the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders deserve credit for having the vision to maintain consistent support to provide this critical service for the taxpayers.

Morris County is in the rolling hills of North-Central New Jersey, approximately 30 miles from New York City. The Eastern portion of the County is primarily suburban, while the Western section has a great deal of open space- as farms and woodlands. At 478 square miles, Morris is the 7th largest in New Jersey. The population has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, and now stands at around 450,000. Morris is classified as the second wealthiest County in the United States, with an average family income of over $80,000.00, and an average house price over $260,000.00. The County is also one of only 8 in the country that has a triple A bond rating.

As is the case for all New Jersey Mosquito Extermination Commissions, the Laws of 1912, 1924, and others, set the foundation for the Morris County Program, which was permanently established in 1928. Since, 1930, there have been only 3 Superintendents leading the Commission. The Mosquito Commission is overseen by 7 members who are appointed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.  At least 3 must be present or past members of local health boards, and one is a Freeholder.

The budget for the Commission is approximately the same as it was in 1988- just under 1.9 million dollars. Deep cuts in employee numbers were needed to offset the static nature of the budget, because a very large portion of the Morris County Mosquito Commission is tied up in labor costs. Much of the control work is done by hand, requiring a substantial work force. This funding level is still substantial, however, and adequate to the task we face.

A Mosquito Commission differs from control programs that are housed in other county agencies. As an "autonomous" governmental body, a Commission is responsible for all personnel matters, for budget preparation, purchasing and other tasks that are generally not done by county mosquito control units. In addition, the Commissions have the right of entry onto private property to abate mosquito problems, and can sue and be sued.

What type of mosquito problems do we face? Floodwater mosquitoes, especially Aedes vexans and Aedes sticticus are the most serious pests in Morris County. The worst mosquito producer is the Passaic River basin, which is a remnant glacial lake. During heavy rains, thousands of acres flood, yielding millions of mosquitoes. The problem has been exacerbated in recent years as communities have expanded into locations adjacent to this basin, often with large, expensive homes. Increased runoff due to construction has also been noted. Last year, of course, Culex pipiens was in the forefront due to the West Nile virus outbreak in New York City.

Morris County has long run a truly "integrated" mosquito control program. Surveillance for mosquitoes forms the basis for any control actions. Larval surveillance is carried out within the County using a standard dipper. Adult surveillance is performed using New Jersey light traps (21 in 1999), with landing rate counts and with occasional dry ice baited CDC or ABC traps. No control action is taken unless a mosquito problem is documented, and follow up surveillance helps assess the effectiveness of our work. Requests for service can be numerous, especially when adult mosquitoes are abundant. Last year, the office staff of 3 people processed an estimated 2,000 telephone calls in just a few weeks.

Wherever possible, water management is employed to permanently reduce mosquito producing potential. Removing fallen trees from waterways is especially important in this area- just a few downed trees can divert a river or stream, rapidly inundating the adjacent ground and creating huge expanses of mosquito habitat. The acquisition of DEP permits is done in house, often a laborious process.

The next line of defense against mosquito populations is larviciding. Once substantial larval numbers are detected, this technique is employed to prevent mosquitoes from emerging and spreading throughout the communities in Morris County. There has been a substantial switch to "biorational" products in recent years, such as Bti and methoprene.

The application of products to control adult mosquitoes is a last resort for the program. When adult mosquito numbers are large, the Commission usually treats entire municipalities with several sprayers at the same time. Treating large tracts in this manner helps reduce adult mosquito problems quickly, but works best in those communities with a substantial network of roads.

Biological control is limited to the introduction of mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis. Although not widespread, there are a number of small, permanent water habitats where these fish work very well.

The Morris County Mosquito Commission is a pleasure to lead. We do important work, and do this work well, providing a service that has a very positive influence on the quality of life for the people who live and work here. Given the support of the public and the commitment of local governmental officials to this effort, I believe that this fine program will remain and prosper in the future

Marc Slaff, PhD, Superintendent, Morris County MEC

Can mosquitoes transmit AIDS?

The HIV virus that produces AIDS in humans does not develop in mosquitoes.  If HIV infected blood is taken up by a mosquito the virus is treated like food and digested along with the blood meal.  If the mosquito takes a partial blood meal from an HIV positive person and resumes feeding on a non-infected individual, insufficient particles are transferred to initiate a new infection.  If a fully engorged mosquito with HIV positive blood is squashed on the skin, there would be insufficient transfer of virus to produce infection.  The virus diseases that use insects as agents of transfer produce tremendously high levels of parasites in the blood.  The levels of HIV that circulate in human blood are so low that HIV antibody is used as the primary diagnosis for infection.  

Dr. Wayne J. Crans, MR&C, Rutgers University

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Atlantic County: Howard Glenn of Longport, New Jersey died on Monday, January 31, 2000.  Howard retired as a biology teacher at Atlantic City High School and was an invaluable seasonal mosquito identification specialist with the Atlantic County Mosquito Control Unit from 1986 through 1998. 

Bergen County: Len Soccio, Superintendent of Mosquito Control in Bergen County, New Jersey is retiring after 39 years in mosquito control at the end of February this year.  Congratulations and good luck in your future endeavors Len.

FIVE (and a half) QUESTIONS WITH……….TADHGH RAINEY

1).  What’s the story behind your first name? “My father had a friend in Ireland with the name.  Tadhgh is an old Irish name that means “poet”, and it’s Irish for Thaddeus”.  (By the way, Tadhgh rhymes with bog.)

2).  What has been the most rewarding aspect of your research? “I enjoy the interaction with the people at Mosquito Research and Control.  Their different disciplines and areas of interest have had an influence on my own research”.

3).  What are you most looking forward to in your new position; and what will you miss about being a student? “The practical application of what I’ve learned.  I have the academic background, now I’m looking forward to solving peoples problems in Hunterdon county.

I’ll miss the people I’ve worked with.  I’ve made a lot of friends at Rutgers and will miss seeing them during the week”.

4).  Hoagie, Hero, or Sub? “Hoagie, definitely hoagie”.

5).  What insect would you like to see replace the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz? “A Diopsid, a stalk-eyed fly”.

 Tadhgh is a Rutgers graduate student.  He has taken a position in Hunterdon County, NJ that will make him the first to direct mosquito surveillance and control operations in that county.   

NEWS AND NOTES

Annual Business Meeting The Annual Business Meeting of the NJMCA will be held on Monday, March 13, 2000 at 12 Noon in the Park Rooms, Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City. While attendance is welcomed, lunch is being provided FREE for paid NJMCA members only. Those wishing to update their membership may do so at the meeting registration desk.  For non-members who wish to attend the meeting and have lunch also, a $25.00 fee to cover the meal can be paid at the registration desk.

Lapel Pins  Your 2000 dues entitle you to the Association's new lapel pin! The lapel pins will be at the registration desk as well.  Lapel pins can also be purchased separately for $5.00 each.

Mosquito Week 2000  This year National Mosquito Control Awareness Week falls on Sunday, June 25th through Saturday, July 1st. The NJMCA is holding its statewide Mosquito Expo on Sunday, June 25th at Island Beach State Park. Information regarding this event has been submitted to the state and should start appearing in the New Jersey Calendar of Events in a variety of publications that are printed and distributed statewide. The event is likely to draw significant attention this year and should provide a great educational opportunity. Mark your calendars and come participate!

Christine Musa,  Warren County MEC

"New Jersey on the Internet"

            The latest issue of Wing Beats, devoted mostly to New Jersey mosquito control can be found at http://www.floridamosquito.org/Wing/1999/Fall99/Fall99.pdf

1999 NJMCA MEMBERSHIP   The following is the list of 1999 paid members of the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association, Inc.  If your name is not on this list then you are considered a "member not in good standing".  Anyone desiring to become a member can complete the application form.  Invoices for the year 2000 were sent out in January.

Honorary Members

Regular Membership

Atlantic County

Bergen County

Burlington County

Camden County

Cape May County

Cumberland Co.

Essex County

Gloucester County

Hudson County

Middlesex County

Monmouth County

Morris County

Ocean County

Passaic County

Salem County

Somerset County

Sussex County

Union County

Warren County

NJ State Commission

NJ Office MC Coord.

Rutgers University   

Township of Wayne

Rhode Island

Connecticut

Northampton Co., PA

                     State of Delaware

Aedes atropalpus (Coquillett)

by Wayne J. Crans, Rutgers University