There are currently eighteen organized mosquito control districts in Washington; Camano Island MCD is virtually the only one on this side of the cascades. Western Washington has some of the most densely populated areas in the state, as well as the wettest, yet organized mosquito control programs have not been established.
Did you also know that the mosquito district only covers a small portion of Camano Island? The most effective mosquito control programs are community wide; mosquitoes know no boundaries. We live on an island with a natural boundary; doesn’t it make sense to include the entire island community as part of the mosquito control program? Mosquito control is good for the health of a community. Tourism, real estate sales, outdoor recreation, and your health will all benefit from an organized mosquito control program.
The fact is we already have the mosquitoes. We are continually importing new mosquito species and the diseases they carry. We must be prepared to prevent their becoming part of our public health landscape. That requires safe, effective, sustained mosquito control. However, community wide public support is crucial for the success of each of these efforts. We may all pay the price for complacency.
How can you help?
Many common mosquito species lay their eggs just above the water line on the inside surfaces of items that hold water.
You should… get rid of old tires, tin cans, bottles, jars, buckets, and other containers, or empty them on a weekly basis. Empty small wading pools weekly, repair leaky pipes and outdoor faucets, change water in bird baths twice weekly, properly maintain ornamental ponds.
Do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for your neighborhood – take a stand against mosquitoes; don’t give them a place to lay their eggs.
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