MASSACHUSETTS MOSQUITO CONTROL 

ANNUAL OPERATIONS REPORT 

2008 Year of Report Date of Report: 04-06-09 

Project/District Name: Northeast Mass. Wetlands Mgmt. Mosquito Control 

Address: 261 Northern Blvd. P.I. 

City/Town: Newburyport Zip: 01950 

Phone: (978) 463 - 6630 Fax: (978) 463 - 6631 

E-mail: nemmc@comcast.net 

Report prepared by: Jack A. Card 

If you have a mission statement, please include it here: Mission Statement 

The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District 

represents the mosquito control and wetlands management interest of those 

communities that choose to subscribe to it’s services. The prime directive of the District 

is to protect its citizens from mosquito-borne diseases by targeting specific, measured, 

and preemptive responses to specific risk as prescribed by the Districts annuallyrevised “Vector Management Plan” (VMP). To insure our citizens quality of life and the 

regional economy is not severely impacted by abundant pestiferous mosquito 

outbreaks, strategies targeted to reduce dominant mosquito populations are 

implemented as prescribed by the Districts annually-revised “Best Management 

Practice” (BMP) plans. ThThe Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and 

Wetlands Management District represents the mosquito control and wetlands 

management interest of those communities that choose to subscribe to it’s services. 

The prime directive of the District is to protect its citizens from mosquito-borne diseases 

by targeting specific, measured, and preemptive responses to specific risk as 

prescribed by the Districts annually-revised “Vector Management Plan” (VMP). To 

insure our citizens quality of life and the regional economy is not severely impacted by 

abundant pestiferous mosquito outbreaks, strategies targeted to reduce dominant 

mosquito populations are implemented as prescribed by the Districts annually-revised 

“Best Management Practice” (BMP) plans. These plans are tailored specifically to each 

member municipality, addressing their needs and concerns, as well as incorporating 

their recommendations. These Control strategies are designed to be environmentallysensitive and economically-efficient.ese plans are tailored specifically to each member 

municipality, addressing their needs and concerns, as well as incorporating their 

recommendations. These Control strategies are designed to be environmentallysensitive and economically-efficient. 
ORGANIZATION SETUP: 

Please list your Commissioner's names: 

Robert N. Morehouse , Retired EPA Chairman 

Peter M. Mirandi, RS MPH Vice Chairman 

Vincent J. Russo, MD,MPH 

Sharon McCabe, CEHT 

John W. Morris, CHO 

Please list the Supt./Director's name: Walter G. Mongomery 

Please list the Supt./Director's contact phone number: (978) 463-6630 

Please list your Asst. Supt./Asst. Director's name: Jack A. Card 

Do you have a website? Yes 

If yes, please list the web address here: http://www.northeastmassmosquito,com 

Please list your staffing levels for the year of this report: 

Full time: 9 

Part time: 1 

Seasonal: 6 

Other: (please describe) 

Please break these down into the following areas: 

Administrative staff: 1.5 

Field staff: 15 

Please check off all that apply, and list employee name(s) next to each category: 

 Public relations Walter Montgomery, Esteban Cuebas-Incle, Jack Card (Emily 

Sullivan, Robyn Januszewski in varying capacities) 

 Information technology Jack Card, Emily Sullivan, Robyn Januszewski 

 Entomologist Esteban Cuebas-Incle 

 Wetland Scientist (Emily Sullivan - Wetlands Project Coordinator) 

 Biologist Robyn Januszewski 

 Education Esteban Cuebas-Incle, Robyn Januszewski 

 Laboratory Esteban Cuebas-Incle, Anthony Corricelli 

 Operations Walter Montgomery, Esteban Cuebas-Incle, Jack Card, Emily Sullivan, 

Robyn Januszewski, Anthony Corricelli, Horrace Baxter (Seasonal) Thaddeus (Ted) 

Tatarzzuk (seasonal), William Montgomery (Seasonal), William Mehaffey Jr., Tim Hay, 

Maureen Douglas, Dennis Gallant, Steve Kiarsis (Seasonal), Richard Caron (Seasonal), 

Paul Howard (Seasonal) 

 Facilities Jack Card - (all employees) 

 Other (please list) 
For the year of this report, we maintained: 

22 vehicles 

18 modified wetland equipment (list type) 84/99 Smally 808-D Excavator/rotary ditcher 

(out of service), Kassboher DR170 Flail mower/ditcher/grader(out of service), 

Kassboher DR270 Flail mower/grader, Kassboher PB270 Flail mower/Rotary 

ditcher/grader, Kassboher PB260 Dump Body/grader, 77 Bombardier Muskeg Dump 

Body, 87 Bombadier Muskeg Backhoe, 99 Link Belt 1600 Excavator,74 Eager Beaver 

Heavy Equipment Trailer (out of service), 95 Eager Beaver Heavy Equipment Trailer 

(rebuilt in 2007), 95 Hudson Spray Trailer, 97 Karavan Boat Trailer, 98 Car Mate Utility 

Trailer, 95 Alumacraft 13 foot Boat with 25 hp outboard motor, Wayne wood chipper, 

96 Rokon all-terrain motor cycle, 1987 ARGO 6 wheel amphibious ATV, Clark type G 

fork lift. 

16 ULV sprayers (list type) 

Electromist #000445 2003 Spare Parts(fire) Shelf #9 (05) 

Electromist #000442 2003 Adulticiding Shelf #3 (05) 

Electromist #000443 2003 Adulticiding Shelf #10 (06) 

Electromist #000444 2003 Adulticiding Shelf 

#16(05) 

Electromist #000411 NH 2005 Spare parts Shelf 

Leco Model HD Series D 70001047 NH 06/20/06 Barrier Active #18(06) 

 (Blower Model 26-3210 S/N 6498C85) 

Leco S/N # 7200373 ULV 1100 NH 01/22/08 Barrier Active #07(08) 

 (Blower Model RAI 89D S/N 93534 Roots ID # 865-105-20) 

London Air XKE London Fog # 1783 (Adapco) 2005 Adulticiding Shelf #09(06) 

London Air XKE London Fog #1781 (Adapco) 2005 Adulticiding Shelf (06) 

Beco Mist Model 250 S/N 3534 (# C55409) 2006 Adulticiding Active #16 (08) 

Beco Mist Model 250 S/N 3561 (# C55411) 2006 Adulticiding Active #13 (08) 

Beco Mist Model 250 S/N 3565 (# C55408) 2006 Adulticiding Active #3 (08) 

Beco Mist Model 250 S/N 3601 2006 Adulticiding Active #14 (08) 

 Replaced (06) with 3535 

Beco Mist Model A002S S/N (# C55554 ) 2008 Adulticiding Back up #21 (08) 
Beco Mist Model A002S S/N (# C55555 ) 2008 Adulticiding Active #22 (08) 

Ag Sprayer Veg. Control Active Tr. (07) 

 Larval control equipment (list type) Birchmire Backpack - Pump Sprayers, 

Orchard Sprayers (Reel) Hand Application Devices 

Other (please be specific): 

Comments: 

How many cities & towns in your service area? 32 

Please list: Amesbury, Andover, Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Georgetown, Groveland, 

Ipswich, Hamilton, Haverhill, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, 

Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Revere, 

Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, West Newbury, 

Winthrop 

*Please attach a link to a map of your service area if possible. NA 

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM): 

DEFINITION: a comprehensive strategy of pest control whose major objective is 

to achieve desired levels of pest control in an environmentally responsible 

manner by combining multiple pest control measures to reduce the need for 

reliance on chemical pesticides; more specifically, a combination of pest controls 

which addresses conditions that support pests and may include, but is not 

limited to, the use of monitoring techniques to determine immediate and ongoing 

need for pest control, increased sanitation, physical barrier methods, the use of 

natural pest enemies and a judicious use of lowest risk pesticides when 

necessary. 

Please check off all of the services that you currently provide to your member cities and 

towns as part of your IPM program; details of these services are in the next sections. 

 Larval mosquito control 

 Adult mosquito control 

 Source reduction 

 Ditch maintenance 

 Open Marsh Water Management 

 Adult mosquito surveillance 

 Education, Outreach & Public education 

 Research 

 Other (please list): Inspectional Services, Development Plan Reviews, Invasive 

Vegetation Control, Wastewater and Water Treatment Facility inspections and 

treatments, Site Reviews, Greenhead Fly Control 

Comments: INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
The old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very true in mosquito 

control. Early intervention or preemptive action to prevent a potential mosquito 

breeding site from becoming an actual mosquito breeding site is as much a control 

strategy as an application or treatment to an actual breeding site and often an existing 

mosquito breeding problem can be easily corrected. While the District is authorized 

under the provisions of chapter 252: section 4 of the General Laws of the 

Commonwealth to enter upon lands for the purpose of inspection it is not a regulatory 

agency. Nor is it our intention to cause any imposition on any citizen or business, but 

rather to be a resource for information and technology to help property owners prevent 

or abate mosquitoes to the mutual benefit of the property owner, the community and 

mosquito control.

The District acts as a technical advisor as requested by the Board of Health and 

represent the municipalities public and animal health and human annoyance concerns 

relative to mosquito breeding, potential breeding and proposed development. The 

District, at the request of the board of health will also review site plans and inspect sites 

were storm water structures are planned or in the process of constructed. Upon 

inspection of a site the District will make written recommendations, submit these 

recommendations to the board of health and cc the land owner. 

The primary vector species of West Nile Virus, Culex pipiens usually breeds in artificial 

containers such as, catch basins, storm water structures, etc. In particular this species 

seems to thrive where others fail, due to their ability to survive in highly organic and 

polluted water These conditions are often associated with industrial or office parks, 

commercial or agricultural livestock facilities. Because of the potential for Culex species 

mosquito breeding, the primary vector of West Nile Virus in and around industrial or 

offices park, agricultural and livestock facilities the District will routinely inspect such 

areas. 

LARVAL MOSQUITO CONTROL: 

Do you have a larval mosquito suppression program? Yes 

If yes, please describe the purpose of this program: To control mosquito populations 

pre-emptively, before they become adults. 

Please give the time frame for this program: March - October 

Describe the areas that this program is used: Upland, Salt Marsh, Man made 

Do you use: 

Ground applied (includes hand, portable and/or backpack) 

Helicopter applications
Other (please list): 

Comments: Policy and Procedure for Ground Larvaciding

 revised 2/94, 1/98, 1/07

Surveillance: The Operations Manager will assign Field Technicians to specific areas. 

Field Technicians will use the Districts larviciding site data base to inspected and treat 

sites in their assigned areas. If discrepancies are found or site changes have occurred 

Technicians will make note of the discrepancy and submit it with their Larviciding 

Report. 

Ten random dips samples from each site will be taken and recorded on a Larviciding 

Report before site is treated. The maximum larvae to be counted per dip is thirty (30).

This information will be entered into the data base to establish a breeding history, 

prioritize sites and justification for wetlands management site selection.

Freshwater: Ground larviciding will be restricted to small areas that can realistically be 

treated in a reasonable period of time in close proximity to residential or public use 

areas.

Salt Marsh: Following aerial salt marsh larviciding applications technicians may spot 

treat areas, as is necessary and practical, at their own discretion or as directed by the 

Operations Manager.

Application: Technicians will wear all protective clothing, equipment, etc., that may be 

required by label direction when mixing, applying or otherwise handling any pesticide.

All pesticides will be used in strict accordance with label directions, pesticide regulations 

and application rates.

Larviciding Report: Field Technicians will complete a Larviciding Report and submit it 

with a Record of Pesticides applied as directed by the Operations Manager.

 

POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR AERIAL SALT MARSH LARVICIDING 01/98

REVISED 1/07

Notification: The Director will publish a legal notice in February of each year in 

accordance with 333 CMR 13.05. The legal notice will give general information about 

aerial salt marsh larviciding applications, a contact person and telephone number. 

Specific dates and times of applications will be determined by surveillance data. 

municipal boards of health and the Massachusetts Pesticide Bureau will be notified by 

phone or fax prior to each application.

Pretreatment Surveillance: The Operations Manager will assign Field Technicians to 

specific areas. Designated Field tech’s will generally observe flooding and rainfall 
events on the salt marsh in their assigned area. As flooding and rainfall events dictate 

Field Tech’s will survey breeding sites. At the discretion of Field Tech’s as many 

random dip samples will be taken as is necessary to determine the location and extent 

of breeding on a salt marsh. For the purpose of record keeping and efficacy evaluation 

a minimum of ten pre-chosen and fully recoverable dip stations will be established in 

each designated area. Dip samples will be taken from each of these dip stations prior 

to an aerial application and recorded on an Aerial Larviciding Survey – Pretreatment 

form.

Aerial Application: The Operations Manager will determine the optimum time of each 

application based on pretreatment surveillance data, tides, weather and conditions, 

availability of aircraft and general input from Field Tech’s. The Director will notify health 

departments in each of the municipalities the applications is to take place. The 

Operations Manager will notify and coordinate with airport personnel, property owners 

or persons otherwise in charge of designated landing zones. Field Tech’s will be 

responsible for designating sites to be sprayed in their assigned areas.

Landing Zone Operations: The Operations Manager will supervise and coordinate all 

LZ support operations such as water supply, pesticides supply, mix and formulation of 

finished spray and application rate. Record all data relative to the operate as prescribed 

in the District’s Aerial Larviciding report. Rinse and disposal of pesticide containers.

Postreatment Surveillance: Field Tech’s will survey sprayed sites 3 hours after the 

application if possible but not to exceed 24 hours after the application. At the discretion 

of Field Tech’s as many random dip samples will be taken as is necessary to determine 

the overall efficacy of the application. Dip samples will be taken from a minimum of ten 

pre-chosen, fully recoverable dip stations after each application and recorded on an 

Aerial Larviciding Survey – Prostreatment form. 

POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR CATCH BASIN AND STORM WATER 

STRUCTURE APPLICATION (revised 1/03 1/07)

Catch basins and storm water structures will be inspected and treated according to the 

VMP and or the BMP of individual municipalities

INSPECTION: Technicians will inspect each Catch basin to make sure the basin is 

holding water or capable of holding water before treating basin. In the course of catch 

basin inspection and treatment technicians will inspect and treat as necessary storm 

water structures. The location and a brief description of the structure will be recorded 

on their Daily Report

APPLICATION: Technicians will wear all protective clothing, equipment, etc., that may 

be required by label direction when mixing, applying or otherwise handling any 

pesticide.

All pesticides will be used in strict accordance with label directions, pesticide regulations 

and application rates.
 Altosid Pellets - will be applied at a rate of 7 grams or 0.25 ounces ( 2/3 of a table

 spoon) per basin.

 Altosid WSP – will be applied at a rate of 1 packet per basin

 Vectolex WDG - will be applied at a rate of 2 ounces per basin

 Vectolex WSP – will be applied at a rate of 1 packet per basin.

 Abate Pellets – will be applied at a rate of 7 grams or 0.25 ounces (2/3 of a table

 spoon) per basin.

 5% Skeeter Abate - will be applied at a rate of 0.25 oz/ basin

CATCH BASIN REPORT: Technicians will complete a Catch Basin or Storm Water 

Structure Report and a Record of Pesticides Applied. 

 Record of Pesticides Applied - Altosid - to calculate "Total Finished Spray Applied"

 count the total number of basins treated on the Catch

 Basin Report and multiple by 0.25 to get total ounces

 applied

 Example - 100 basins treated x 0.25 = 25 ounces applied.

 Record of Pesticides Applied - Vectolex WDG - to calculate "Total Finished Spray

 Applied" count the total number of basins treated on 

the

 Catch Basin Report and multiple by 2 to get total 

ounces

 applied

 

 Example - 100 basins treated x 2 = 200 ounces applied.

 POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR STORM WATER STRUCTURES (draft 1/03)

Current Strom Water Policy, adopted by the Massachusetts Department of 

Environmental Protection (DEP) in November 1996, calls for installation of storm water 

structures, wetland replication areas, and retention / detention ponds. Many of these 

artificially created habitats are situated in close proximity to human populations, 

continue to hold water long after natural areas have dried back and become prime 

breeding habitat for vector species mosquitoes. While storm water structures have 

been a concern of mosquito control, when put in perspective of other mosquito habitat 

they have not been a priority. The rapid spread of these structure, especially in urban 
areas and the expanding threat of West Nile Virus have raised mosquito control 

concerns relative to these structures to a new higher level. Both Culex pipiens, the 

primary vector for West Nile Virus, and the recently discovered exotic species, 

Ochleratatus japonicus, not only thrive in man-made, highly polluted and organic 

habitats, they avidly seek these areas for the water qualities they exhibit.

Storm water structures may become blocked and ineffective due to a number of causes. 

In addition to silt, road sand, and natural debris that get washed into the structures, 

many have become dumping grounds for yard waste, Christmas trees, building debris, 

etc. This creates the highly organic and polluted conditions preferred by the vector 

species Culex pipiens and Ochleratatus japonicus. For this reason the District will 

create a data base, prioritizing sites in order of mosquito breeding and or breeding 

potential and develop control strategies and protocol.

 

In the course of larviciding and catch basin treatments Field Technicians will inspect 

and treat as necessary storm water structures. Technicians will completed a Storm 

Water Structure Report. Reports will be forwarded to the Field Technician Specialist for 

further entry into the data base and further evaluation.

What products do you use in – (please use product name and EPA#) 

Wetlands: Teknar G #70051-73, Vectobac G #275-50, Vectobac CG #275-70, Altosid 

Pellets #2724-448-64833, Vectobac 12 AS #73049-38 

Catch basins: Altosid WSP # 2724-448, Vetolex WSP #73049-20,5% Skeeter Abate 

#8329-15 

Containers: Teknar G #70051-73, Vectobac G #275-50, Altosid WSP # 2724-448, 

Vetolex WSP #73049-20 

Other (please list): 

Please list the rates of application for the areas listed above: 

Wetlands: (Vectobac 12 AS 1qt./acre), (Teknar G, Vectobac G, Vectobac CG, Altosid 

Pellets 2.5 - 10 lbs/acre) 

Catch basins: (Altosid WSP 7gr./basin), (Vectolex WSP 10gr./basin), (Altosid Pellets 

0.25oz./basin), 5% Skeeter Abate 0.25 oz/ basin 

Containers: (application rate / container type & size) 

Other: storm water structures - (application rate / type & size)

What is your trigger for larviciding operations? (check all that apply) 

 Larval dip counts – please list trigger for application: Larva Present 

 Historical records 

 Best professional judgment 

Comments: As different habitat dictates.
*Please attach a link to maps of treatment areas if possible. 

ADULT MOSQUITO CONTROL: 

Do you have an adult mosquito suppression program? Yes 

If yes, please describe the purpose of this program: To control amounts and species for 

management purposes and resident complaints

Please give the time frame for this program: 9:00 pm to 3:00 am ( as conditions warrant)

Describe the areas that this program is used: Outdoors only in communities that 

participate in the NEMMC+WMD. As per city or town and residents request, as per 

individual cities or towns BMP and as advised by the NEMMC+WMD based on 

surveilance data and/or MDPH information or other applicable conditions.

Do you use: 

Truck applications 

Portable applications 

 Aerial applications

Other (please list): 

Comments: 

Please list the names of the products used with EPA #: 

1). Anvil 10 + 10 # 1021-1688-8329 

2). Suspend SC # 432-763 

3). 

4). 

5). 

6). 

Please list your application rates for each product: 

1). Anvil 10 + 10 - 0.42, 0.62, 0.21 fl oz. / acre ULV variable flow 15 mph 3.8 oz / min 

2). Suspend SC - 1 oz./gal. 1 Gal / min (water mix) 

3). 

4). 

5). 

6). 

Please describe the maximum amounts or frequency used in a particular time frame 

such as season and areas 
Anvil 10 + 10 - 77.05 gal. Active 

Suspend SC - 2.16 gal. Active 

What is your trigger for adulticiding operations? (check all that apply) 

 Landing rates - please list trigger for application 

 Light trap data - please list trigger for application 

 Complaint calls - please list trigger for application 

 Arbovirus data 

 Best professional judgment 

Comments: Abundance, species, location, virus data, complaints all are instrumental 

in triggering an application 

POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR GROUND ADULTICIDING

Revised 1/98 1/06 3/06 1/07

General: Adulticiding applications shall be executed in accordance with the Districts 

Vector Management Plan (VMP) and/or individual municipalities Best Management 

Practice Plan (BMP) consistent with the provisions of The Generic Environmental 

Impact Report (GEIR) for mosquito control.

Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Applications: ground ULV applications will done by means of 

truck mounted ultra low volume (ULV) non thermal aerosol sprayers capable of 

delivering from 1 to 6 ounces per minute equating to 1 to 6 ounces per acre. ULV will be 

used for selective, targeted areas and wide area applications. 

Selective, Targeted ULV Applications: Shall be done in response to either residents 

request or request from a municipal health department or board in accordance with that 

municipalities BMP. A minimum of three request from residents in the same vicinity are 

required to trigger an application of a street, section of a street, neighborhood, block or 

area or as otherwise requested by the health department or board.
Wide Area ULV Applications: Shall be done in response to surveillance data, multiple 

residents request, municipal health department or board request in accordance with that 

municipalities BMP. Or as recommended by the District in response to a specific 

vector/virus threat in accordance with the Districts VMP.

Time of Application: ULV applications will be conducted during evening hours, after 

dusk. If circumstances or conditions make an evening application impractical or unsafe 

then predawn application may be warranted. 

Barrier Applications: Barrier applications will be done by means or truck mounted 

barrier spray equipment capable of delivering 1 gallon per minutes. Barrier applications 

will be used to achieve control over a longer period of time and thereby reduce the need 

for repeated ULV applications. Barrier applications will be used on public use areas 

such as, parks, play grounds, athletic fields and school grounds in response to request 

from school officials and municipal health departments or boards in accordance with 

individual municipalities BMP or the Districts VMP.

Time of Application: Barrier spray applications will be conducted after dusk and before 

dawn.

Post-Application procedure: Technician will complete an Adulticiding Report and a 

Record of Pesticides Applied. Technicians, on their next return trip to headquarters, will 

submit reports, down load all GPS and computer data.

Disable ULV sprayer: When not in use all ULV sprayers will be disabled for security 

reasons. 

*Please attach a link to maps of treatment areas if possible. NA

SOURCE REDUCTION 

Do you perform source reduction methods such as tire/container removal? Yes 
If yes, please describe your program: by hand as needed during inspections, 

treatments, ditch maintenance, OMWM or in conjunction with organized wetland clean 

ups. 

What time frame during the year is this method employed? Year round.

Comments: 

DITCH MAINTENANCE 

Do you have a ditch maintenance program? Yes 

Please check all that apply: 

 Inland/freshwater 

 Saltmarsh 

If yes, please describe: Policy and Procedures for Mechanized Ditch Maintenance 

Effective: January 1st, 2002 

revised 1/1/04 

MECHANIZED DITCH MAINTENANCE STANDARDS 

INTRODUCTION 

REVISED: 05-06-04 / 02-25-05 / 02-20-06 

The original set of Ditch Maintenance Standards was written by the Essex County 

Mosquito Control Project (ECMCP) for their Ditch Maintenance Program. These 

Standards were specifically written as a reference tool for ECMCP staff to conduct 

standardized ditch maintenance activities in the field. They were developed and revised 

over the years to reflect the ECMCP’s ever changing practices based on lessons 

learned in the field, suggestions provided for by regulatory and other representatives of 

the professional industry, current trends, evolving equipment sophistication, and 

increased knowledge of environmental response. These Standards have since been 

adapted to complement the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands 

Management District’s Policy and Procedures for Mechanized Ditch Maintenance, 

formerly the ECMCP and herein referred to as the District. The Northeast 

Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District has designed the 

following Standards to incorporate the objectives of mosquito control and ditch 

maintenance activities while preserving the ecological integrity of freshwater wetland 

environments. The District continually strives to provide a more environmentally 

sensitive approach to fresh water wetlands management for mosquito control. This 

revision was also written in the best interest of keeping this District’s activities in 

accordance with the Generic Environmental Impact Report. These Standards will not 

address individual wetland classes whereas, "there is no single correct, indisputable, 

ecologically sound definition of wetlands and because demarcation between dry and 

wet lies along a continuum" (Cowardin et al. 1979). Ditch maintenance activities will 

occur in both wetland and upland situations. Though not commonly practiced 
occasionally ditch maintenance will occur in salt marsh communities on a site specific 

basis. Ditch maintenance will be conducted by District personnel under the authority of 

Chapter 252 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and under 

the ditch maintenance exemption as provided for in Section 404 of the Clean Waters 

Act. Maintenance will occur in waterways that have been ditched or maintained previous 

to 1978 as determined by physical and or historical evidence. This interpretation of the 

404 exemptions was the result of a 1988 review by the United States Army Corps of 

Engineers. 

The Corps examined a varied sample of ditch maintenance projects completed over a 

five year period by the Essex County Mosquito Control Project, (now the District). The 

consensus of this review was that ditch maintenance activities for mosquito control in 

Essex County were generally implemented in compliance with the intent of the 404 

exemptions and in accordance with 33 CFR 323.4 and 33 CFR 330.3 (a). Since then 

ditch maintenance projects have been conducted based on this interpretation of the 404 

exemptions. Though not common the District may also conduct maintenance type 

activities such as dredging in waterways subsequent to 1978 as allowed for in 

accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act in 33 CFR Part 323.2 Definitions. 

(d)(3) The term discharge of dredged material does not include the following: (i –iii). 

According to the provisions of Chapter 252 the District has no authority in fresh water of 

those communities who do not subscribe to District Services. See Appendix for other 

legislation relevant to authority and exemptions for the District’s ditch maintenance 

activities. The objective of these Standards is to provide a step-by-step guide to ditch 

maintenance procedures that reflect the intent of the 404 exemptions. The District’s 

objective of ditch maintenance is to abate mosquito populations, decrease the potential 

for mosquito larval habitat and reduce the need for insecticides as part of an integrated 

pest management, (IPM) strategy. 

Let It Be Known 

The District only speaks for itself and this document reflects the District’s policies and 

procedures alone. Ditch Maintenance Programs and corresponding Standards vary 

from Mosquito Control Project to Mosquito Control Project and should reflect each 

Project’s specific mosquito control concerns, species, habitat, socio-economic needs, 

available equipment and inhouse expertise. The District does not represent any other 

Mosquito Control Projects on this subject nor does this document necessarily reflect any 

of the other Mosquito Control Projects’ Ditch Maintenance Programs. 

BEAVER ACTIVITY AMENDMENT 

REVISED: 01/07/04, 02/23/05, 11/08/05 

INTRODUCTION: 

Since the adoption of the anti-trapping ballot referendum in 1996, the beaver population 

in Massachusetts has nearly tripled. Waterways subject to beaver activity are often 

altered from free flowing systems to large, slow or no flow systems. As a result, many 

areas adjacent to wetlands have now become flooded, resulting in the potential of 

increased breeding habitat for mosquitoes. The District has established a pilot program 

to investigate the relationship between mosquito breeding habitat and beaver habitat; 
their potential impacts on increased mosquito populations and mosquito borne viruses 

and their relevance to human populations. 

PETITION: 

Municipalities may petition the District to investigate locations associated with beaver 

activity in accordance with the District's Wetlands Management Policy and Procedures. 

Petitioned sites such as wetlands or waterways that have been altered due to beaver 

activity will be evaluated in accordance with the District’s Standards for Ditch 

Maintenance. 

OPTIONS:* Upon determination that mosquito breeding or a potential for mosquito 

breeding exists, site work beyond the scope of the District’s Standards for Ditch 

Maintenance may be required as follows: 

A. Trapping: Removal of beavers from an area prior to beginning any ditch 

maintenance. Trapping will be done by certified District personnel. 

B. Ditch Maintenance: Dams, dikes, blockages, etc. may be cleared from existing 

ditches to manage the level of water within a wetland or waterway in order to complete 

projects safely and efficiently. 

OPTIONS: (CONTINUED) 

C. Water-Flow Devices: Water-flow devices may be installed to maintain a desired level 

of water within a wetland or waterway while still allowing beavers to remain in the 

system. 

* Site work conducted on beaver impacted wetlands and waterways will be performed in 

full cooperation and partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and 

Wildlife as well as the petitioning municipality. 

FACT SHEET # 10. 

Open Marsh Water Management 

History: OMWM was originally developed in New Jersey as an environmentally 

sensitive alternative to grid ditching salt marshes and has also been used in the Mid 

Atlantic States for many years. In 1982 a collaborative effort with mosquito control, the 

Town of Rowley Massachusetts, the Manomet Bird Observatory and the Massachusetts 

Audubon Society in a 3 year study of OMWM. Based on the principles established in 

New Jersey and the Mid Atlantic States a standard was developed specific to the needs 

of the salt marshes of New England. 

Objective: The objective abate mosquito population, reduce the need for insecticides, 

enhance the tidal food web and restore previously ditched, altered or degraded salt 

marshes. 

Principle: OMWM is a site specific management technique that uses existing features 

of a salt marsh to create or enhance ponds, pools and pans to serve as reservoirs for 
mosquito eating fish and habitat for water fowl and wading shore birds and provides 

access for the fish to mosquito breeding areas by creating or enhancing radial 

connectors. 

Standards: OMWM is done in strict accordance to the standards for OMWM. The 

standards are a step by step procedure that is followed to implement OMWM projects. 

Sites are monitored before work is done and established criteria must be met. The 

standards define the types of alteration which are acceptable. Sites are monitored for 

two years after work is completed. 

Site Plan: After a site is monitored and criteria is met, this data is analyzed and 

alteratons are designed on site and a plan is developed. The site plan is an aerial 

photograph with a transparent overlay depicting alterations. 

Alterations: Designed alterations are implemented by highly specialist, environmentally 

sensitive, low ground pressure equipment. 

Restoration: It is estimated that 3,000. miles of grid ditch were excavated by hand in 

Essex County between 1929 and 1934. These ditches severely altered and degraded 

salt marshes. The demonstrates ability of OMWM to restore salt marsh and manage 

Phragmites growth has led to partnerships with numerous Federal, State and private 

groups to restore coastal salt marshes. 

Please check off all that apply INLAND DITCH MAINTENANCE: 

Hand tools

Mechanized equipment

Other (please list): 

Comments: 

Please check off all that apply SALTMARSH DITCH MAINTENANCE: 

Hand cleaning

Mechanized cleaning

Other (please list): OMWM Resroration

Comments: 

Please give an estimate of cumulative length of ditches maintained from the list above 

INLAND: 

Hand cleaning 3449'

Mechanized cleaning 110'

Other (please list): 

Comments: 
Please give an estimate of cumulative length of ditches maintained from the list above 

SALTMARSH: 

Hand cleaning As needed in conjunction with mechanized cleaning

Mechanized cleaning 

Other (please list): 

What time frame during the year is this method employed? Fall to Spring, as conditions 

allow.

Comments: 

*Please attach a link to maps of ditch maintenance areas if possible. na

OPEN MARSH WATER MANAGEMENT 

Do you have an OMWM program? Yes 

If yes, please describe: 

Open Marsh Water Management: OMWM has been an important component of the 

Districts IPM strategy to manage salt marsh mosquitoes for 25 years. During this time 

hundreds of OMWM projects have been successfully completed resulting in an 

incremental reduction in acres aerial larvicided and a dramatic reduction in truck 

spraying for adult mosquitoes. While the District continues to strongly support the 

concept and implementation of OMWM, our permit has expired and despite a two year 

effort to renew the permit, it has been denied. Therefore we are unable to implement 

any OMWM projects for the foreseeable future. While the District is actively working to 

resolve this matter we are also reviewing the fiscal realities of continuing to implement 

OMWM. Extensive permitting procedures and increased site monitoring and project 

implementation protocol will significantly increase operational costs. These 

considerations may ultimately make OMWM cost prohibitive. 

Selective Salt Marsh Ditch Maintenance: In lieu of OMWM and to insure that the 

significant gains achieved through OMWM are not lost, the District will implement a 

selective salt marsh ditch maintenance program. The District will investigate potential 
sites for opportunities to implement selective salt marsh ditch maintenance. Sites will 

be considered based upon surveillance data obtained through the Districts aerial 

larviciding program: known mosquito larval habitat. Areas of greatest distance from 

aerial larviciding landing zones (to minimize operational costs) and areas which are 

difficult to treat due to physical site characteristics will be given priority. 

Please give an estimate of total square feet or acreage: N/A 

What time frame during the year is this method employed? Fall to Spring as conditions 

allow. 

Comments: Permit was denied and OMWM will likely be unavailable in 2009.

*Please attach a link to maps of OMWM areas if possible. N/A

ADULT MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE 

Do you have an adult mosquito surveillance program? Yes 

Please list the number (not location) of MDPH traps in your service area: 0 

Please check off all the types of surveillance that apply to your program: 

 Gravid traps 

 Resting boxes 

 CDC light traps Canopy 

 CDC light traps w/CO2 Canopy 

 ABC light traps Canopy 

 ABC light traps w/CO2 Canopy 

 NJ light traps Canopy 

 NJ light traps w/CO2 Canopy 

Other (please describe): BGS traps (Ground) designed to attract Ae. albopictus) 

Please describe the purpose of this program: To Monitor population levels and species, 

specify locations for management purposes and collect vector species to be tested for 

arboviruses. 

Do you maintain long-term trap sites in any of your areas? Yes 

If yes, please describe how you chose these long-term sites. focal point, location, 

accesability, type, security, power access 
 FACT SHEET #5 

Adult Mosquito Surveillance 

 

General: There are many different species of mosquitoes. The District has collect 47 

different species in our area, of these there are around 12 mosquito species important 

to human health, nuisance and quality of life. All mosquitoes species have one thing in 

common, the female must have a blood meal before she can lay eggs. Different 

mosquitoes have different breeding habitat and host-seeking behaviors. The key to 

managing mosquito populations efficiently and effectively is understanding the 

interaction between mosquitoes and human populations. Adult Mosquito Surveillance is 

the means by which we gather this information which is then used in determining 

operational strategies. 

Light Trap: A light trap is a device used to collect adult mosquitoes. It consist of a fan, 

a light, a carbon dioxide-dispensing device and a collection basket. Female mosquitoes seeking a blood meal are attracted to the carnon dioxide (hereafter, CO2) and are 

drawn into the net by the fan. The District has one light trap in each member 

municipality in a fixed location, which allows for monitoring long-term trends and the 

effectiveness of control measures, as well as short-term events which require response. 

The District also has portable traps which can be deployed at short notice in response 

to data from fixed LT, residents complaints or vector surveillance obervations. 

Gravid Trap: A gravid trap is a device used to collect container-breeding species. It 

consist of a pan of highly organic water and a collection chamber which bridges the pan. 

Some mosquito species lay their eggs in artificial containers such as catch basins and 

prefer highly polluted organic water. Female mosquitoes landing on the surface of this 

water to deposit eggs are drawn into the collection chamber by the fan. The District has 

one gravid trap in each member municipality in a fixed location. This fixed location 

gravid trap is useful in monitoring long term trends, the effectiveness of control 

measures and vector surveillance. The District also has portable traps which can be 

deployed at short notice in response to data from fix LT, complaints or vector 

surveillance. Gravid traps are the primary collection sources for the vectors of West 

Nile virus. 

Resting Boxes: A resting box is a device designed to collect resting blood-fed female 

Culiseta melanura mosquitoes, the principle vectors of Eastern Equine Encephalitis 

Virus, EEEV. Resting boxes have demonstrated to be an efficient and effective tool. 

Most of the EEE virus isolations in the District to date were from mosquitoes collected in 

resting boxes. Typically, EEEV is present in three-year cycles every fifteen-to-twenty 

years and resting boxes will be deployed in areas of concern during those years of 

anticipated EEEV activity. 
Landing rates counts: A landing rate count is exactly what it sound like. A field 

technician counts the number of mosquitoes which land on an exposed arm for one or 

five minutes. The mosquitoes are collected in an aspirator for later species identification. This method is often used in response to a specific complaint and is useful in 

determining the source of the mosquito problem. 

Species Identification: Live mosquitoes from fix location light traps, gravid traps and 

resting boxes are collected twice weekly from around May 1st. to October 1st. 

Mosquitoes are identified and samples sent to the Massachusetts Department of Public 

Health where they are tested for yhe presence of virus. 

 VECTOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 

2008 

Introduction: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the introduction of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 

1999 to the northeast United States raised the issue of preparedness of public health 

agencies to handle outbreaks of vector borne disease. CDC states "mosquito control is 

the most effective way to prevent transmission of WN" and "the most effective and 

economical way to control mosquitoes is by larval source reduction through locally 

funded abatement programs" ( Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: January 

21,2000). 

 

Mosquito control districts or programs while considered state agencies are unique as 

we are directly accountable to our member communities. As such, the needs and 

concerns of those communities drives operational policy and strategies. For several 

years now our program has been in transition from what once was considered a 

primarily nuisance mosquito control program, to a primarily public health based 

program. WNV is now endemic to the northeast and since 2004 Eastern Equine 

Encephalitis has a presents here as well. World wide mosquito borne virus is on the 

increase. While the line between what might be considered nuisance control as 

opposed to what is public health mosquito control has always been at best obscure, it is 

now nonexistent. Consider the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health “a 

state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of 

disease or infirmity”. It is not a stretch to say that shear numbers of mosquitoes that 

affect quality of life is not just a nuisance but in fact a health issue. The Federal 

Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 2 (00) defines the term 

“vector” as “any organism capable of transmitting the causative agent of human disease 

or capable of producing human discomfort or injury, including mosquitoes...” This 

make it clear that by definition all mosquitoes are potential vectors and all mosquito 

control activities are in the interest of public health. 

The purpose of this VMP is to target specific responses to specific risk and direct our 

limited resources effectively and efficiently. 
Regional Adult Mosquito Surveillance: The District will continue its surveillance of 

mosquito vectors based on protocols established by the Massachusetts Department of 

Public Health (DPH). The District’s Surveillance Program will operate and maintain 

31 CO2 baited New Jersey traps (NJ traps) across the region at fixed locations. NJ 

traps are used to sample the general adult mosquito population to determine dominant 

human biting mosquitoes and disease carrying species together with their population 

densities and because they are at the same location every year. Population trends can 

be compared during the year and between years. One NJ trap will be placed in each 

member municipality. Additional portable traps may be used as necessary, in response 

to areas with disturbing population trends and virus activity. The District will collect and 

identify samples from each trap twice a week. 

The District will operate 32 gravid traps. Gravid traps are designed to collect recently 

blood fed adult female Culex mosquitoes and other container breeding species relevant 

to WNV transmission. One gravid trap will be placed in each member municipality in a 

fixed location and additional portable gravid traps may be used as necessary in 

response to areas with virus activity. The District will collect and identify samples from 

each trap twice a week. 

Last year The District operated 180 resting boxes in two tiers. The first being in 

communities of primary concern bordering New Hampshire. The second tier was 

deployed in buffer areas or communities bordering communities with previous EEE 

isolations. Resting boxes are designed to collecting blood fed female Culiseta melanura 

mosquitoes that are the principle vectors of EEE virus and have demonstrated to be an 

efficient and effective tool. While there were EEE isolations in mosquitoes and human 

cases in southern New Hampshire there was no EEE activity detected in our service 

area last season. Typically EEE runs in cycles and it is apparent that EEE activity is 

diminishing. And while we can’t let our guard down as EEE will reappear in the future 

we are confident that EEE is in a downward trend. 

In 2008 we will be operating between 60 and 80 resting boxes in one tier in the primary 

risk area immediately bordering NH. We will continue to do this for the foreseeable 

future in order to establish the pattern of EEE cycles in our service area and to serve as 

a early warning system. It is important to note that we can redeploy additional resting 

boxes in short order if necessary. 

Six to eight resting boxes will be placed at each fixed location and there will be two 

locations in each of the municipality bordering NH with the exception of Salisbury, which 

will have just one location. The District will collect and identify samples from each box 

twice a week. 

The District will initiate a pilot program of deploying a new type of trap called the “BG 

Sentinel trap”. These traps have shown to be more effective in attracting Aëdes 

albopictus, commonly called the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Last season, District personnel 

collected specimens believed to be Aë. albopictus but, because of the generally poor 
condition of the specimens, the identifications could not be confirmed. Aë. albopictus is 

a principal vector of Chikungunya, which is a virus causing severe headache, chills, 

nausea, vomiting, and extremely persistent and painful arthritic joints which may persist 

for weeks to months. 

There is currently a Chikungunya pandemic in countries along the Indian ocean basin 

(and with nearly 2 million people infected). An Chikungunya epidemic broke out in 

northern Italy this past last summer (with over 200 cases); the Italian epidemic is the 

first known outbreak of this virus outside the tropics. Six traps will be deployed 

throughout the District, two in the north, two central and two south, in an effort to 

confirm the presence and distribution of Aë. albopictus if any. 

Emergent Exotic and Recent Immigrant Mosquito Species: Also through our 

Surveillance Program, we will be on guard for the appearance of new mosquito species. 

Within the past five years, we have seen the appearance and rapid spread of an exotic 

species, Ochlerotatus japonicus, the "Japanese Rock Pool Mosquito", throughout our 

District. While this species is a competent disease vector in other areas, there is little to 

suggest it is currently a disease vector in the Northeast. 

Another competent disease vector, the "Asian Tiger Mosquito", Ae. albopictus, first 

found in Houston in 1985, has spread rapidly throughout the temperate regions of the 

U.S., including southeastern Massachusetts. Although this species has yet to be 

collected in our district, its arrival is imminent and its potential as a disease causing 

agent should not be underestimated. Last season District personnel collected 

specimens believed to be Ae. albopictus and as previously addressed in the 

surveillance section of this VMP a pilot program to confirm the presence and distribution 

of albopictus will begin this summer. 

Therefore, the possibility of additional mosquito species establishing in our area, some 

even more effective at transmitting virus and other disease causing agents can not be 

dismissed. Thus, our Surveillance Program will aggressively monitor mosquitoes we 

collect, not only to measure unusually high populations, but also to detect any new 

species. 

Virus Testing: Specimens from our trap collections will be sent weekly to Department of 

Public Health to be tested for the presence of encephalitis viruses. The District has 

enter into a cooperative agreement with DPH to increase the number of pools tested. 

Emergent Virus: Since its introduction in New York City in 1999, WNV has spread 

through out the country and is now endemic in the Northeast. Prior to 2004 there were 

no serious concern about EEEV in the Essex County. This has changed with multiple 

EEEV isolations in mosquitoes in recent years. World-wide the threat of mosquitoborne disease is on the rise and the possible introduction of other exotic vector borne 

disease must be seriously considered. 
Through our affiliations and associations with the scientific and mosquito control 

community world-wide we will monitor this potential on behalf of our member 

municipalities. Potential the next mosquito bourn virus of concern is 

Chikungunya. While Chikungunya is rarely fatal it has the potential to infect large 

numbers of people. In 2005 and 2006 it sickened almost one third of the 800,000. 

inhabitants of La Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean (Science 24 February 06 

p.1085). Last Summer 200 people in Italy were infected, this is the first known example 

of Chikungunya transmitted outside the tropics. According to Dr. Randy Gaugler, 

Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University it is likely we will have out breaks of 

Chikungunya within the next five years Through our affiliations and associations with 

the scientific and mosquito control community world-wide we will monitor this potential 

on behalf of our member municipalities. Necessary and appropriate vector/virus 

intervention measures will continue to be developed and implemented. 

West Nile Virus 

Introduction: While it was previously though that neurological disorders associated with 

West Nile Virus (WNV) were short-lived and only affected a small percentage of those 

infected, recent studies suggest that neurological disorders may be more prolonged, 

serious and effect more victims then original thought. 

Culex species are primarily responsible for the amplification of virus in birds and 

probably are vectors to humans in endemic areas. Cx pipiens breed in highly organic or 

polluted water that collect in artificial containers such as catch basins and storm water 

structures including detention and retention ponds, as well as discarded tires, gutters, 

bird baths, etc. The preemptive strategy of treating catch basins has been effective at 

reducing the population of vector species. 

Surveillance data shows an 80% reduction in Culex species in communities where 

basins are treated as compared to communities with untreated basins. And, contrary to 

what one would think, drought does not deter breeding of Cx pipiens but instead may 

enhance it! Wetlands areas dry back and pools become more concentrated with organic 

debris, providing Culex with additional breeding habitat. Also during droughts, catch 

basins continue to accumulate water from car washing, lawn watering and concentrated 

sheet flow from minor rainfall events, etc. Targeting Culex in basins will reduce adult 

Culex populations, hence bird-to-bird virus transmission and therefore, reduce risk to 

humans. Although Culex salinarus may be present in catch basins, this is probably not 

its preferred breeding habitat. If time and circumstance allows the District may evaluate 

the extent of Cx salinarus breeding in catch basins. 

Waste Water Treatment Facilities Inspection: As a preemptive strategy the District will 

request to inspect all waste water treatment facilities in an effort to reduce or eliminate 

Culex breeding or potential breeding in these facilities. While the District is authorized 

under the provisions of chapter 252 section 4 of the General Laws of The 

Commonwealth to enter upon lands for the purpose of inspections, we are not a 

regulatory agency. Nor is it our intention to cause any imposition to the management of 
waste water facilities, but rather to be a resource for information and technology to 

assist waste water facilities managers in preventing and or abating mosquito breeding 

to the mutual benefit of the facility, the community and mosquito control. 

Catch basin treatment in 2008 will be prioritized as follows: As previously stated WNV 

is now endemic to the northeast and it has become clear (see attached map) that the 

epee center for our area is the urban coastal communities of Winthrop, Revere, Lynn, 

Nahant, Saugus, Swampscott, Marblehead and Salem. Second in order of priority will 

be Beverly which had positive birds late in the season last year. 

 

Selective Ground Adulticiding: As a preemptive measure the District may recommend 

selective and targeted adulticiding applications to reduce Culex populations when WNV 

isolations in mosquitoes are discovered. The District may recommend a target 

application based on the following criteria; two or more WNV isolations in mosquitoes in 

close proximity; one or more human cases of WNV. 

 

Barrier Treatment: The District uses a system called Ultra Low Volume (ULV) for 

ground adulticiding applications. ULV is designed to dispense very small amounts of 

pesticides over a large area. While this is a cost effective means of reducing mosquito 

populations on a large scale, it only affects those mosquitoes present at the time of the 

application and repeated applications are sometimes necessary to sustain the initial 

reduction in the mosquito population in some areas. To reduce the need for repeated 

applications and provide more sustained relief from mosquitoes in high public use 

areas, the District may recommend a barrier spray treatment to public use areas such 

as schools (applications to schools must be incompliance with MGL ch85), playgrounds, 

athletic fields, etc. A barrier spray may reduce mosquitoes for two or more weeks. The 

District strongly recommends member municipalities take advantage of this service. 

 

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus 

Introduction: From what we have learned over the past three years it is apparent that 

EEEV emanates from the Southern New Hampshire area, in particular Exeter, Kingston 

and Newton. There has been EEEV activity in these towns from the beginning of the 

current cycle in 2004 to the present (see attached map). It appears that EEEV 

“migrates” 

South from this focus area to the Northeast Massachusetts area. 

While there were EEEV isolations in mosquitoes and human cases in NH in 2007 there 

was no EEEV activity in our service area we did recommend and conduct adulticiding 

application in Amesbury, Merrimac and Haverhill as a preemptive measure due to 

spikes in mosquito vector populations. We do not anticipate any EEEV activity in our 

service area in 2008 but are prepared for any contingence. 

Habitat Surveillance: Through the winter months the District will continue to locate, 

identify and enter into our data base potential Culiseta melanura habitat in communities 
bordering New Hampshire, specifically Amesbury, Merrimac Methuen and Haverhill. 

Also in the communities of Boxford and Hamilton. 

Selective Ground Adulticiding: As a preemptive measure the District may recommend 

selective and targeted adulticiding applications to reduce Culiseta melanura populations 

in an effort to break the virus cycle in bird-to-bird transmission phase. Often by the time 

EEE appears in horses and humans other mosquito species, the so called “bridge 

vectors” are targeted for adulticiding; but it is late in the season when intervention efforts 

are made and are limited at best and often nonexistent. The District will recommend a 

targeted adulticide application based on the following criteria: Above average Culista 

melanura populations in a year of anticipated EEE activity; One or more EEE virus 

isolations in mosquitoes. One or more EEE virus isolations in horses; One or more 

human EEE cases. 

 

Barrier Treatment: The District uses a system called Ultra Low Volume (ULV) for 

ground adulticiding applications. ULV is designed to dispense very small amounts of 

pesticides over a large area. While this is a cost effective means of reducing mosquito 

populations on a large scale, it only affects those mosquitoes present at the time of the 

application and repeated applications are sometimes necessary to sustain the initial 

reduction in the mosquito population in some areas. To reduce the need for repeated 

applications and provide more sustained relief from mosquitoes in high public use 

areas, the District may recommend a barrier spray treatment to public use areas such 

as schools (applications to schools must be incompliance with MGL ch85), playgrounds, 

athletic fields, etc. A barrier spray may reduce mosquitoes for two or more weeks. The 

District strongly recommends member municipalities take advantage of this service. 

Emergency Response Aerial Adulticiding Plan (ERAAP): In the event that the risk level 

escalates to a point were it is deemed that ground adulticiding is insufficient to reduce 

that risk an emergency aerial adulticiding application may be warranted. This would 

require a consensus of the District, the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board, 

the Massachusetts Department of Health, an independent advisory board and a 

declaration of a Public Health Emergency from the Governor. 

Typically, once the decision is made to do an aerial application the need is immediate 

and window of opportunity is short. It is imperative that the complex logistics of 

executing the application are in place, hence the ERAAP. ERAAP consist of continually 

revised Global Positioning Satellite GPS mapping program, which can be downloaded 

into aircraft navigation systems to direct aircraft as to where to spray. Memorandums of 

Understandings with designated airports have been formalized to insure operational 

staging areas and ground support facilities are available and ready. Contracts with 

aerial applicators and insecticide suppliers are in place for rapid delivery and 

deployment. With all these factors all ready addressed and accounted for, aerial 

applications can commence very soon after the Public Health Emergency is declared. 

Please check off the species of concern in your service area: 
 Ae. albopictus 

 Ae. cinereus 

 Ae. vexans 

 An. punctipennis 

 An. quadrimaculatus 

 Cq. perturbans 

 Cx. pipiens 

 Cx. restuans 

 Cx. salinarius 

 Cs. melanura 

 Cs. morsitans 

 Oc. abserratus 

 Oc. canadensis 

 Oc. cantator 

 Oc. excrucians 

 Oc. fitchii 

 Oc. j. japonicus 

 Oc. punctor 

 Oc. sollicitans 

 Oc. stimulans 

 Oc. taeniorhynchus 

 Oc. triseriatus 

 Oc. trivittatus 

 Ps. ferox 

 Ur. sapphirina 

 Other (please list): 

Do you participate in the MDPH Arboviral Surveillance program? Yes 

How many pools do you submit weekly on average? 65 (twelve weeks of submissions

Please check off the arboviruses found in your area in the past 5 years: 

 West Nile Virus 

 Eastern Equine Encephalitis 

 Other Please list: 

Did the above listed diseases cause human or horse illnesses? No 

Please explain: 

At what arbovirus risk level did the year begin in your area? (If more than one please 

list) 

WNV: At the beginning of the season, the WNV risk category for the entire District 

was "LOW". 

EEE: At the beginning of the season, the risk category for EEE was "REMOTE" 

with the exceptions of HAVERHILL & MERRIMAC whose risk level was raised to 

"LOW" due to these communities's proximity to EEEV-infected areas of southeast 

NH 

At what arbovirus risk level did the year end in your area? (If more than one please list) 
WNV: At year's end, the risk category was raised to "MODERATE" except for the 

following municipalities in which the risk was raised to "HIGH": DANVERS, PEABODY, 

LYNNFIELD, LYNN, SAUGUS, NAHANT, REVERE, & WINTHROP. 

EEE: The risk category remained "REMOTE" for all District communities with the 

exception of HAVERHILL and MERRIMAC where the risk remained at "LOW".

What time frame during the year is this method employed? May - October

Comments: 

*Please attach a link to maps of surveillance areas if possible. N/A

EDUCATION, OUTREACH & PUBLIC RELATIONS 

Do you have an education/public outreach program program? Yes 

If yes, please describe: POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH 

General: The District will promote and provide educational outreach on mosquito 

control and related environmental science to schools, civic organization and public 

officials. 

Website: The District will maintain a Website (www.northeastmassmosquito.com) 

which will provide general information on mosquito and virus biology and about 

operational strategies and procedures. 

Other Media: The District has various DVD’s available which will be provided to 

schools, civic groups, public-access television, etc. at their request. Our entomologist 

has been interviewed on local radio describing prevention and protection strategies. 

Outreach Programs: During the off season the Districts Entomologist and /or Biologist 

will present educational programs tailored to the specific needs of schools, civic 

organization and public officials. 

Please check off all that apply: 
 School based program 

 Website 

 PR brochures/handouts 

 Community events 

 Science fairs 

 Meeting presentations 

 Other (please describe): District Bullitins sent when necessary to Boards of Health 

District towns sent electronically (e-mail). 

Please give an estimate of attendance/participants in this program: 3-25 (and Public 

Access audiences)

Please list some events you participated in for the year of this report: Salisbury Health 

Fair, Rowley Board of Health ( public health issues ), Annual local Boards of Health 

presentation. 

What time frame during the year is this method employed? All year long. 

Have you performed any research projects, efficacy, bottle assays, etc.? Yes 

If yes, please elaborate on your research projects: Green Head trap design and 

placement, Larval efficacy assesment program, OMWM efficacy assesment, Fresh 

water ditch maintenance BMP protocols, Trial assesment of BGS traps for the collection 

of Ae. albopictus. 

Are you involved in any collaborations with academia, industry, environmental groups, 

etc.? Yes 

If yes, please elaborate on your collaborations this past year: Salt Marsh Ditch 

Remidiation Workshop, Errosion and Sedimentation Control, Stream Band Stabilization 

and Stream Restoration Workshop, River Morphology Workshop. Spring Ephemerals 

Workshop, Merrimac River Watershed Council; MAPP program training, Stream team 

and shoreline, Wildlife Habitat Surveys, Child Protection Act coordination with district 

schools. 

Please provide a list of technical reports, white/grey papers, publication in journal or 

trade magazines, etc. OMWM efficacy assesment 

Does your staff participate in educational opportunities? Yes 

If yes, please list the training and education your staff received this year: NMCA Annual 

Conference, Clarke Mosquito Control annual seminar, NHESP training, AMCA, NJMCA, 

SMDR workshop PRWR,Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Stream Bank Stabilization 
and Stream Restoration, River Morphology, Spring Ephemerals workshop, Merrimac 

River Watershed Council Map Program and Stream Team, Wildlife Habitat Surveys. 

Please list the certifications and degrees held by your staff: Doctoricate, BS, AS 

Comments: 

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL EFFORTS 

Do you have a biological control program? Yes 

If yes, please describe: OMWM, Ditch Maintenance, Salt Marsh Ditch Maintenance

Is this program the introduction of mosquito predators or the enhancement of habitat for 

native predators? Enhancement of habitat for native predators 

Please check off all that apply: 

 Predatory fish 

 Predatory invertebrates 

 Other (please describe): 

What time frame during the year is this method employed? All year, according to site 

specifics. 

Comments: 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

Does your program use (check all that apply): 

 Computers 

 GIS mapping 

 GPS equipment 

 Computer databases 

 Aerial Photography 

 Other (please describe): 

Please describe your capabilities in these areas: Beginner

Please describe your current GIS abilities: Beginner 
Give details if possible on your GIS abilities: our employees are currently expanding and 

developing capabilities 

Please describe any changes/enhancements in this area from the previous year: More 

familiar with programs and capabilities. 

Comments: 

REVENUES & EXPENDITURES 

Please give a concise statement of revenues & expenditures for the prior fiscal year 

ending June 30. 

FY08 Budget and Spending Plan July1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 

 Approved 06/14/07 

Proposed Budget $1,496,525.00 (level funded + Topsfield) 

 

Account 2520/1500 Line Item Budget Spending Plan 

 

AA - Payroll 51% $750,000.00 

 

BB - Travel 0% $0.00 

 

CC - Commissioners 0.2% $2,500.00 

 

DD - Retire/Ins/Fringe 18% $271,173.00 

Retirement projected 5% /07 

Group Ins 22.23% of payroll 

Fringe benefits 1.34% of payroll 

 

EE - Office & Admin 2.6% $41,520.00 

 

FF - Maintenance/Repair 3.2% $70,000.00 

FF - Pesticides 5.3% $89,000.00 

GG - Operations 3.2% $48,000.00 

II - Litigation 0% 

JJ - Aerial Contractors 8.2% $129,400.00 

KK - Capital Equipment 3.7% $31,552.00 

LL - Lease/Purchase 4.4% $63,051.89 
Total Spending $1,496,276.89 

Budget $1,496,525.00 

Surplus $248.11 

Comments: 

PESTICIDE USAGE 

Please total your pesticide usage with information from your Mass. Pesticide Use 

Report, WNV Larvicide Use records and contracted pesticide applications. Applications 

methods include; hand/backpack, aerial, ULV, mistblower, other (please explain) 

Product Name: Altosid WSP 

EPA Reg. #: 2724-448 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 675 lbs 

Comments: 

Product Name: Vectolex WSP 

EPA Reg. #: 73049-20 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 11 lbs 

Comments: 

Product Name: Vectobac G 

EPA Reg. #: 73049-10 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 790 lbs 

Comments: 

Product Name: Teknar G 

EPA Reg. #: 70051-73 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 68 lbs 

Comments: 

Product Name: Anvil 10 + 10 

EPA Reg. #: 1021-1688-8329 

Application method: ULV 

Targeted life stage: Adult 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 77 gal 
Comments: 

Product Name: Suspend SC 

EPA Reg. #: 432-763 

Application method: ULV Barrier (retro fit) 

Targeted life stage: Adult 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 2 gal 

Comments: 

Product Name: Vectobac 12 AS 

EPA Reg. #: 73049-38 

Application method: Aerial 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 2645 gal 

Comments: 

Product Name: Altosid Pellets 

EPA Reg. #: 2724-448 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 374 lbs 

Comments: 

Product Name: 5% Skeeter Abate 

EPA Reg. #: 8329-15 

Application method: hand 

Targeted life stage: Larvae 

Total amount of concentrate applied: 50.25 oz 

Comments: 

LARGE AREA EXCLUSIONS 

Do you have large areas of pesticide exclusion, such as estimated or priority habitats? 

No 

If yes, please explain, and attach maps or a weblink if possible. 

SPECIAL PROJECTS 

Do you perform any inspectional services such as inspections at sewage treatment 

facilities or review sub division plans? Yes 

If yes, please elaborate INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 
The old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very true in mosquito 

control. Early intervention or preemptive action to prevent a potential mosquito 

breeding site from becoming an actual mosquito breeding site is as much a control 

strategy as an application or treatment to an actual breeding site and often an existing 

mosquito breeding problem can be easily corrected. While the District is authorized 

under the provisions of chapter 252: section 4 of the General Laws of the 

Commonwealth to enter upon lands for the purpose of inspection it is not a regulatory 

agency. Nor is it our intention to cause any imposition on any citizen or business, but 

rather to be a resource for information and technology to help property owners prevent 

or abate mosquitoes to the mutual benefit of the property owner, the community and 

mosquito control. 

The District acts as a technical advisor as requested by the Board of Health and 

represent the municipalities public and animal health and human annoyance concerns 

relative to mosquito breeding, potential breeding and proposed development. The 

District, at the request of the board of health will also review site plans and inspect sites 

were storm water structures are planned or in the process of constructed. Upon 

inspection of a site the District will make written recommendations, submit these 

recommendations to the board of health and cc the land owner. 

The primary vector species of West Nile Virus, Culex pipiens usually breeds in artificial 

containers such as, catch basins, storm water structures, etc. In particular this species 

seems to thrive where others fail, due to their ability to survive in highly organic and 

polluted water These conditions are often associated with industrial or office parks, 

commercial or agricultural livestock facilities. Because of the potential for Culex species 

mosquito breeding, the primary vector of West Nile Virus in and around industrial or 

offices park, agricultural and livestock facilities the District will routinely inspect such 

areas. 

Do you work with DPW departments or other local or state officials to address 

stormwater systems, clogged culverts or other areas that you have identified as manmade mosquito problem areas? Yes 

If yes, please elaborate: In compliance with the districts Ditch Maintenance Policy - 

Pettitioned by the town (BOH) 

Have you worked with these departments on long term solutions? Yes 

If yes, please elaborate: In compliance with the districts Ditch Maintenance Policy - 

Pettitioned by the town (BOH) 

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PROTECTION ACT 

Is your program impacted by the Children and Families Protection Act? Yes 
If yes, please explain: In some cases, we are not able to address mosquito control in a 

timely and complete manner due to protocols and compliance. Children and Families 

Protection Act poses added financial and man-power burdens. 

If you have data on compliance with this Act and your program, please list here: We 

send a notice to schools and school systems each year addressing compliance issues 

and updates, as well as assist in any way we can to help them comply. 

If you had difficulties with implementation of your program due to this law, please 

elaborate here: Due to increased health risks with mosquitos, it puts more of a demand 

on Mosquito Control Agencies in both man-power and cost. Complying with School 

property issues is a constant challenge. 

Comments: 

GENERAL COMMENTS 

Please list any comments not covered in this report: