Get Ready For The 'Skeeters

I'm ready for them this year.

Mosquito's.

I know, a bit early to be mentioning them, but I figure if I did it now, others may be inspired.

We live on a small piece of land bordered by an "intermittent stream". Sometimes, especially after a rain, it flows like the Colorado, other times, it is just wet, with little movement. It is those "other" times that causes the problems. Mosquito's like still, quiet water to breed in, and come summer, this area becomes a hot bed of breeding.

No, I don't want to get into telling you all about my mosquito war stories like they are the size of Blue Jays, or have been known to fly off with squirrels in their grasp. That is true, but my purpose today is to get you thinking about fighting back.

Heck, a bite is nothing more than an annoyance, but it is what comes with the bite that is the issue: diseases like West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

This is, quite literally, a matter of life, severe illness, and sometimes, death.

I have seen what EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) can do first hand. It is nothing that you would ever want to have. So, last week I emailed the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project out in Worcester, and told them about my concerns. They sent out someone to assess the area today, and left me a card stating the area is not breeding at this time.

They will be back, and when they return they will spray the bejeepers out of the area. Having experienced mosquito spraying in the past, I don't think I will have too much of a mosquito problem this year.

Now, I don't want everyone to get all eco-crazy on me for wanting to spray the woodland stream behind my house. The chemicals that are used today dissipate very quickly, and other than closing the windows to the house, and covering any fish ponds one may have, it will only harm the intended subject: the mosquito's.

Years ago, I felt differently. The spray raised havoc with those with respiratory issues, and killed way more than mosquito's. It will still do a number on you if you sit in the spray, and inhale for awhile, but having a picnic in the middle lane of the Pike isn't healthy either. Our chances of contracting West Nile, or EEE will be dramatically reduced if one chooses to spray around their home.