Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-09-30
MOSQUITO WAR
WHAT A RURAL COMMUNITY
CAN DO.

NhlCh HdNt Bt'h oN' ~ hsi u''oahP
fishing this purpose.
My personal experience Is limited
to an area on Saten Island, containing
about two square miles, ranging from
Arrochar to New Dorp, and from tide
water to the top of the hills lying about
one mile back from the shore and ris.
ing to an elevation of 400 feet.
All the watershed of this area finds
its way to the sea through New Creek.
which with several branches wanders
through the low land between the hills
and tide water, and Is bordered by
marshes formed by overlooking Of the
creek at high tides. The higher levels
are composed of serpentine hills whose
characteristic undulations cause num-
erous storm water ponds in pockets,
the natural drainage Of which is i'm.
perfect.
The conditions Of this locality favor
the breeding of mosquitoes; the salt
and -brackish water varieties breeding
in the salt marshes of the lower lands
approaching the beach. while many
fresh water varieties breed in the high
land ponds.
In the spring OF 1898. a purse was
raised among the principal residents,
and an oil wagon with pumps and hose
secured. Men were trained to handle
the oil spraying outfit, while others
were employed to cut drains from the
hilltop ponds. The work was prose
cuted diligently during all of one sea
son and some % or more ponds were
treated with oil about once month
The ponds were finally drained.
The oil treatment was successful In
killing the mosquito larvae, but the
practical Limitation was found there,
as elsewhere, in getting the oil onto
some of the ponds, where the meehan.
ical operation was impcded by boggy
shores. bushes. weeds, and under.
growth, while in other cases It was
difficult to keep the oil on the surface
of exposed ponds where 1t could be
blown ashore by winds.
Altogether. the results on the higher
levels, both of oil treatment and drain
age, were eminently successful. In
certain regions, which were so infest,
cd with mosquitoes that one could
scarcely walk through them. the pest
was SO completely removed that scarce,
ly mosquito could be found. The oil
was temporary eXpedient, the drain
age permanent one.
The great difficulty, however. was
found In the marsh areas bordering
New Creek behind the beaches. There
the areas were too large for the proper
application of oil, and though II was
industriously applied the frequent tides
carried II away. There were also large
areas which could not be reached by
any appliances at hand.
The prevailing winds would blow a
! sufficient supply OF mosquitoes from
these marsRy areas to the nearby res
/ idence districts TO reduce the apparent
value of the successful work done or
the highlands. During the remainder
OF the season in question, the only
mosquitoes found In abundance were
those known to breed in brackisl
water.
1t became abyious through the OK
Iperience gained on this area that the
true remedy lay in dyRing the mouth
OF New Creek just above the beach line
and with food gates lower the watel
level in the marshes behind the beacl
to practically the level OF mean low
tide. Such dykes are, of course, com
rlon in other countries, and some o
the dykes built by the early Holland
lers on Staten Island are still In sery
Ice.
Arrangements were being slowly an,
with great difficulty perfected to ac
complish this dyklng of New Creel
when Richmond County became tn,
Borough of Richmond in Greater New
York. The processes of administra
ton changed, resulting h new condi
tions which have since held this worl
in suspense.
1t Is hoped and intended, however
that It shall proceed at an early date
lond when done IL will offer an excep
tional opportunity to show what can b,
done in a community OF sufficient sig
to demonstrate the effectiveness o
methods. and for reasons which are oil
vious, upon observation of the area |
can be done for nominal expense a
compared with the cost in many othe
situations.
This rural community has don
enough by private subscription to sho,
A.. what needs be done TO effectualiy a,
. complish the desired end-the con
: piete remedy being one which can noN
be handled only through municipal az
, ton.
! II the City of New York will throug
} Its proper departments and at non
inal expense OF few thousand dollar
I do that which only the city can do, III
4 neighboring rural community will fu
3 ther show what can be done to cor
plete the operation.
d; | have no hesitation in saying thi
$ the results will be such that oth'
/, lneighboring communities will rapid