Full Notification

Beginning Thursday, April 14 and continuing for 7 to 14 days, over 50,000 acres of flooded woodlands will be treated with larvicide dropped from airplanes by Midland County Mosquito Control. Treatment is conducted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., weather permitting. The County contracts with Nunica-based Hatfield Spraying Service whose airplanes can be identified by their yellow or white color and repeated flight runs over wooded areas.

The planes drop a naturally occurring bacterium called Bti that is toxic to mosquitoes and other related biting flies but doesn’t affect other life forms or pose environmental risks. The program targets so-called snowmelt mosquitoes, which, in summer and early fall, lay their eggs in moist depressions in the woods. Melting snow coupled with spring rains cause mosquito larvae to hatch and begin development. Ground crews also will treat small woodlots with hand equipment beginning this week, he said.

Officials encourage homeowners to do their part to limit mosquito production on their property by:

* Cleaning out bird baths, eaves troughs and pool covers
* Clearing weeds and brush from ditches, catch basins and pond edges
* Eliminate water-holding containers
* Call Midland County Mosquito Control if you have standing water that can’t be removed.

To further reduce mosquito habitat in the County, Mosquito Control and the Midland Recyclers will hold a tire collection on Saturday, May 21, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the recycling facility, 4305 East Ashman Street. Twenty passenger tires (size 16.5 and smaller) per household will be accepted at no charge. There will be a charge of $1 per tire for tires on rims. Appointments are required. To schedule one, please phone the Midland Recyclers at (989) 631-1668.

For further information on the county’s mosquito control program go to its web site at www.co.midland.mi.us/mosquito or phone (989) 832-8677.