Pest Abatement ?

Mosquito dunks have been given to every person who has requested it. There are plenty of dunks available to the public who need it for their ponds and water features. You only need to come by the Elmore Extension office at 535 E. Jackson. Larvaciding and surveying for mosquito larvae began the first warm days of the season in May and will continue until the end of the season in September. Tracy is correct that the Pest Abatement has done a fine job with managing the budget and getting the work done at a cheaper amount than most counties. I can show you the budgets for other counties to prove that. In cooperation with the CDHD, mosquito traps are being monitored and mosquitoes are being tested. The office receives calls, documents the caller's address and their report of standing water or infestation. That is immediately given to the Pest Control Technician and it is investigated. Since the first report of mosquito hotspots in the latter part of June, fogging has been done over 6 times in various areas. This is documented and can be viewed by anyone. I personally have returned all calls or messages and I have given those phone numbers to the technician who also personally calls most of them as well. If anyone has a problem with mosquitoes, you can call the office at 587-2136 ext. 509 to report it. We can't magically know if there are hotspots unless people report it. We don't know if a person needs a mosquito dunk unless they let us know. This paper printed Marsha's "Fight The Bite" letter which gave the public the hotline number and information about dunks and protection. I assure you and anyone who reads this, that the fight against mosquitoes is being done efficiently and effectively. OUR tax dollars have been used very carefully and the Commissioners & the ECPAD & the Extension Pest Control should be commended!

Other pest concerns have also been tirelessly dealt with such as the relentless march of the grasshoppers and Mormon crickets. Our office works with the ISDA to document infestations and our office has given bait to those the ISDA has authorized. This program has been at full swing for weeks now. We also talk to everyone who calls with hopper issues and if they are not agriculture and eligible for bait, we have advised them on where they can purschase control products. D & B Supply will help you get the right stuff. Any questions? Our office will answer. Any issues or concerns? I am happy to receive your calls, document your concerns and relay it to the appropriate person if needed. Just call. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment and be of service. (Time: 7:19am typed on my personal laptop in my own kitchen on my own personal time)

I did check it out. I also made the phone call. You know the "hotspots" that are normally always "hot" as they are the same every year. Of course other areas become infested but for as long as I can remember certain areas have ALWAYS been bad and continue to bad.

Kim, I will not get into a urine match with you but I called...and NEVER got a call back. My horses look like something from a horror flick with no less than 300 bites on 3 of my horses. So, to say that you return all calls is not really factual.

As far as how the pest abatement district operates I can say that I was at the hearing on their budget. Not one person in that room had actual figures on what was spent for the prior year but it was stated that they spent about 1/2 of what was taxed. Instead of lowering the tax---they chose, without the figures in front of them---to approve a budget for nearly 50% more than what was NEEDED or used. Is this right? IMHO, no. So, "FactMissy" has done her research and does know the facts. Someone else in my area called a problem in and was told "we are too busy in Pine. We will get to you as soon as we can." Just what you want to hear.

We agree on 1 thing Kim. Last year, whomever was in charge did an OUTSTANDING job. I have said that before. However, this year leaves something to be desired. The fact that the ECC's elected to tax more when they could have done a great job with less is really something. In your position, I would not expect you to represent the other side. Your job is political. I get it.

Busybody, I am glad you liked "my" picture. My husband always says that I am out for blood. Maybe he is on to something.

"Busybody, I am glad you liked "my" picture. My husband always says that I am out for blood. Maybe he is on to something."

Maybe he is onto something. And maybe he is just afraid. Very afraid.