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VECTOR CONTROL Mosquito spraying raises fears, questions Ashland neighbors upset their area included in spraying Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 21, 2016 at 10:05 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 21, 2016 at 10:05 AM » Social News ASHLAND — A social media post that alerted southern Bear Creek Valley residents of spraying to eliminate adult mosquitoes last week has generated concerns about how the Jackson County Vector Control District operates. Ashland resident Cara Cruickshank said she went out late at night May 10 to cover her garden after learning via social media that her Ashland Mine Road area was included on a map posted online by the district warning of spraying the next day. Cruickshank’s concerns, shared by friends and acquaintances, include notification procedures, ineffectiveness of mosquito spraying, potential harm to the environment and health from pesticide use, and whether threats from mosquitoes warrant spraying. She said she'd like to see more efforts to educate property owners on how to prevent mosquito infestations. Cruickshank was joined by seven others who spoke at a district budget committee meeting Thursday evening about their concerns on how the agency spends its tax revenues. She said she would like to see an emphasis on allocation of funds for better education and outreach. “It seems to me like what we are doing is spraying for no reason because people are having nuisance issues,” Cruickshank said before the meeting. “Ask people to take responsibility for preventing mosquitoes.” Vector control officials post notices of upcoming spraying on the agency's website the evening before a spray, said Manager Jim Lunders. The agency must take weather conditions into account in determining when to spray and cannot make a decision earlier than the preceding day. “Most people are upset that we don’t spray more,” said Lunders. “It’s based on surveys and it also depends on the weather." Spraying is not carried out in all areas shown on the maps, but only in areas with high trap rates of adult mosquitoes or where there have been service requests. Vector control workers determine whether there is a need to spray when they receive a request, which can be made through the agency’s website. Spraying takes place from from 3 to 6 a.m. Vector control spraying is done from equipment mounted on a variety of vehicles — three pickups, an all-terrain vehicle and a four-wheel-drive pickup. The district also uses hand-held spray equipment. The agency has 10 seasonal employees. “We have a no-spray list, so those people we don’t spray unless there’s a mosquito-borne serious outbreak in the area, and then we call them before,” said Lunders. He said there are fewer than 100 names on the no-spray list. Cruickshank saw the May 10 post on a closed Facebook site, Ashland Peeps, which has 4,332 members. A Thursday request by a reporter to join the group was still pending. Phoenix resident Clarkie Clark, who belongs to Ashland Peeps Facebook page, said she was also in the spray zones shown on the maps. A lot of concern about spraying of pesticides has been posted to the site, she said. Vector control’s website, jcvcd.org , also contains a "Products We Use” section that includes manufacturer’s information on pesticides and has a link to the National Pesticide Information Center to help people understand what is being used. Vector Control uses Anvil 10 + 10 for adult mosquito sprays, said Lunders. To spray, temperatures must be above 50 degrees, there can be little wind and no rain or fog. Sprays are sometimes canceled the mornings they are planned because of changing weather conditions. The district was formed by public vote in 1968 and has a five-member board appointed by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Its budget for the current fiscal year is $1.14 million. The district levies taxes at the rate of a little more than 4 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. A property assessed at $200,000 would pay $8.58 annually. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 21, 2016 at 10:05 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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