[RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying

Thu Aug 1 17:22:28 UTC 2013

A SWAT team?  Now THAT is serious mosquito control!  Seriously; are they just patrolling, or is there some incident going on, what part of town are you in?  I don't like to see the "troubles," either.  Stay safe.  

From: Corey Slavitt <cls at pobox.com>
To: akthompson at riverdaleparkmd.gov; varcher at gmail.com 
Cc: towntalk at riverdale-park.org 
Sent: Thursday, August 1, 2013 1:10 PM
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying

Thanks Alan!  Great information. 

Right now there is a SWAT team on my block with more ammunition than mosquito larvae. Not sure which is more disconcerting -- swatting at nuisance mosquitos or seeing all that trouble in our little town. Okay, I'll take mosquitoes over this SWAT team in front of my house any day!

Corey

From:"Alan K. Thompson" <akthompson at riverdaleparkmd....[Add to Address Book]
To: Corey Slavitt <cls at pobox.com>, Vernon Archer <varcher at gmail.com>
Cc: TownTalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying
Date: Jul 31, 2013 10:36 PM
The mosquito spraying program is run by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.  You can read about it athttp://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/mosquito_control_program_description.aspx, and see the schedule for this year (Riverdale Park is Tuesday evenings) at http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Documents/PGSprayList2013.pdf 

If you want to call and talk to someone, the number they provide is 410-841-5870.

From reading the (very long) description, I suspect that last night's spraying was for adult mosquitos; they say this is usually done "when mosquito activity is high, wind velocity is 2 to 10 mph, air temperature is between 60 to 85 degrees F, relative humidity is high and a temperature inversion exists."  If it's Tuesday night, and the weather is as described, it's likely to happen again.

Best,

Alan

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 10:28 PM, Corey Slavitt <cls at pobox.com> wrote:
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 at301-883-6080. 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 at301-442-5080(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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