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SUNNY Temp: 78 °F Wind: SSE at 5 mph Friday, August 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 18, 2003 Since You Asked Dirty ‘pool’ filled with mosquito predators I saw a piece on television news about the importance of removing standing water to help control mosquitoes, especially now that the West Nile virus may be coming. There is a house on the southeast corner of Modoc Avenue and Hillcrest Road with a swimming pool that’s full of brown, stagnant water. It’s looked like that as long as I can remember. Shouldn’t the homeowner be responsible for cleaning it up? Can he be cited for it? — Kelly B., Medford Advertisement "Yes" and "yes" would ordinarily be our response to your questions, Kelly, but you’ve stumbled on a highly unusual case. The word from Eugene Papineau, director of Jackson County’s mosquito control program is that the owners of that house have filled it with Gambusia affinis, the little fish that dine on mosquito larvae. Papineau says you’re not the only person concerned about the old swimming pool that’s been converted into a pond. "We get calls about that place every year." If the former pool didn’t have a resident population of "mosquito fish," Papineau says the owner would indeed be required to take action to eliminate hazards to public health. In most cases, the county’s Vector Control program can help eliminate the hazard — by treating standing water with growth inhibitors that prevent mosquito larvae from hatching or by providing mosquito fish for ponds. Papineau says the vast majority of people clean up potential mosquito breeding sites when they’re advised of the potential danger they represent. After a damp spring, Vector Control is backed up with requests for help right now, but people seeking assistance can call 779-6460 to get on their waiting list. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times