[RP TownTalk] Mosquito spraying

[Corey Slavitt]

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
_______________________________________________
TownTalk mailing list
To post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org is for automated subscription 
processing only
http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk

For more information about Riverdale Park, visit 
http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://riverdale-park.org/pipermail/towntalk/attachments/20130731/8c52e09d/attachment.html>