Low mosquito population makes spraying cost prohibitive for city

Le Mars officials said there aren't enough of the winged pests flying around this summer to make it cost effective to spray the city.

"There is a tremendous cost and very little opportunity even if you were spraying to eradicate all the mosquitos," said Ken Nelson, Le Mars city councilman. "It would impossible for the city to spray all areas."

During last week's meeting, Nelson said the council informally discussed the issue but have "no plans at this time to spray."

Deb Steffen, Plymouth County community health nurse manager, said that with mosquitos there's always the possibility of illnesses like West Nile.

"I know the Iowa Department of Health feels it will be a concern because of the wet weather we've been having," Steffen said.

But no cases of West Nile have been reported to her this year.

Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff and Nelson said they haven't received any complaints from residents.

"We have nothing budgeted for it (spraying)," Kirchoff said. "If it gets unbearable, we certainly will look into it."

Steve Hansen, Le Mars public works superintendent, said he too hasn't noticed many mosquitos this year except for places close to rising or standing water.

"If there's some dry weather, the mosquito crop will be a lot less," Hansen said.

He cautioned residents to look around their property and remove anything that can hold standing water like old tires and flower pots and to change water in birdbaths regularly.

"Take a look at what you have outside," he said. "If you dump them and get rid of them, it helps a lot."

Hansen said an adult mosquito can breed in one spot and disburse up to 10 miles from there.

Although spraying the city would decrease the mosquito population, it's not the only answer, Steffen said.

"I think if people get rid of the standing water and take the proper precautions, it would be just as effective as the spraying is," Steffen said.

She also advised people to wear long pants and long sleeves and apply insect repellant with DEET in it during high activity times: early in the morning and after dusk.

"Apply it every time you are going outside, even if for a short duration during those high activity times," Steffen said.

It's up to the city council to give the order to spray, Hansen said, and to be prepared for that all of his employees are certified and licensed to use the city's sprayer, which was purchased about 20 years ago.

"It still meets all the specifications," Hansen said of the sprayer. "When we used to do it (spray). We did it when there was a need."

Nelson said spraying the entire city still wouldn't totally eliminate the mosquito population.

"People didn't want the spray when we did spray," Nelson said. "There's a pretty strong group out there that would be opposed to us going up and down the streets like we used to."

Residents can direct complaints concerning insects to the city councilmen or the mayor's office.

Nelson also encouraged citizens to be proactive.

"People can spray their own yards and accomplish what they want to," he said.