[RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying

Thu Aug 1 02:28:32 UTC 2013

Late this afternoon, the Town of Riverdale Park's Public Works Office 
offered me a new phone number to direct questions on the details and 
practices of the County's pesticide spraying program here in 
Riverdale Park. The phone number is  reportedly for the County's 
Department of Environmental Resources at 301-883-6080. However, not 
much hope was offered after confirming that indeed the previous 
number offered for contact with the County was a correct one of 
record but was likely disconnected in favor of the County's 311 
auto-answer service.

I have not yet been successful in securing the appropriate email 
address to direct the same questions and concerns, but with some 
research, a good email address could be found. I've called our County 
Council Member Eric Olson's office in the past, but the individual 
answering the phone was busy with another constituent each time, took 
my name and number with the promise to call back, but never did. I 
think they have a lot going on, so email may be the best route since 
at least that is a communication of record for reference.

 From what I've seen of the spraying/fogging vehicle, it just 
activates lights and a horn and barrels through the center of the 
street blasting a wide fog cone. If there's a breeze, front lawns and 
the interior of homes with windows open get hit, but if residents 
know in advance, they can take precautions  -- especially for those 
that have exhibited sensitivity to these pesticides in the past. The 
pesticides are reportedly deemed effective for all in terms of 
mosquito control, but for those, like me, who are sensitive to 
inhaling the pesticide, it is not good for them to directly inhale 
the airborne fog cloud while it is being dispensed.

I've had some pets who are resilient to nearly everything -- they can 
scarf down plastic bags, lap up motor oil emptied in our streets from 
curbside mechanics (despite my efforts to intervene!!!!) and rally to 
do the same the next day. There are those though . . . especially as 
they age, that do not have the hefty immune systems of their youth, 
and have collapsed after walking across a lawn that had been recently 
treated for weeds. I think there's a lot we don't know yet about the 
long-term effects of these control programs -- positive or negative 
-- but knowing when the programs are scheduled to occur can make a 
big difference.

Corey Slavitt

From: Sheri Mattes Wake <smattes3 at gmail.com> [Add to Address Book]
To: Valrie Hames <crownvhg at yahoo.com>
Cc: Corey Slavitt <cls at pobox.com>, "towntalk at riverdale-park.org" 
<towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying
Date: Jul 31, 2013 9:20 PM
also, is it safe for pets as long as they're not out there when it's 
sprayed?  or should we avoid the area for a while?  how long?  i had 
no idea this spraying was going on.

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 8:38 PM, Valrie Hames <crownvhg at yahoo.com> wrote:
Can I ask if the spraying is done on all front lawns and is there a 
way to opt out?  If there is, have they acknowledge it in the past or 
just ignore it while sitting in a truck and spraying as they drive by.

Valrie 

From: Corey Slavitt <cls at pobox.com>
To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:51 PM
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying

Thanks for posting this Anne Marie.

I called the Town of Riverdale Park's Public Works Office today 
because I experienced the surprise of the pesticide fogging vehicle 
last night in the 5000 block of Oglethorpe Street, and hoped to get a 
spraying schedule from the Town. As I recall, there used to be a 
schedule for spraying written in the Town Crier. In previous years, I 
would mark my calendar for the spraying schedule and make sure my 
windows were closed and pets safe those days.

Public Works told me today that it was a County function, and to find 
out the schedule I would need to call the County on their new 311 
line where one leaves a recorded message in the hope of getting a 
return call later in time. Public Works did also give me a direct 
line to the County pesticide sprayers at 301-442-5080 (I think that 
was the number) but I only get a disconnection recording when I dial 
it. I will check back again with Public Works on that direct line 
number they gave me.

With the rare break in humidity and some nice weather, I took a 
chance and turned off my central air conditioning and opened the 
windows for a few days. It was great until last night when there was 
a pretty strong breeze that blew the spraying vehicle's cloud into my 
windows, and the ceiling fans inside circulated the fumes quickly. I 
ran around like a wild woman last night, shutting windows and 
grabbing my cat off his perch in an open window. But it was too late. 
I was so ill through the night and this morning that I called in sick 
to work. My cat threw up along with me. Some people and animals are 
extra sensitive to pesticide spray.

It is unfortunate to have this experience in tandem with the 
Riverdale Park's Green Team's quest to obtain Sustainable Maryland 
Certification. I filled out a survey about community needs regarding 
the certification back in March. I regret now not mentioning that the 
lack of spraying notification impacts the confidence of some 
residents to open their windows, turn off the AC, and be more green.

Corey Slavitt

From: Am <maryland_amwillis at yahoo.com> [Add to Address Book]
To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
Subject: [RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying
Date: Jul 31, 2013 2:19 PM
When was the town going to let the residents know when spraying was 
going to take place?

Today my nanny called to tell me and rush my daughter and dog inside. 
What about the other pets outside! I also saw them @ three weeks ago 
coming home from work on evening.

I'm on the list serve and NEVER saw a notice.

Anne Marie Willis

Sent from my iPhone
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