Features, Meeker

Dorsett encourages town to change mosquito control program

A test conducted after aerial spraying in 2017 revealed just one of 161 dead insects was a mosquito.

MEEKER | Dr. Bob Dorsett has been trying to convince Meeker’s board of trustees that the annual aerial spraying of pesticides before Range Call is not the best way to control the pesky insects. This year he pointed out a new reason for the town to consider rethinking its mosquito control program: the algae overgrowth problem in the river.
Aquatic macro-invertebrates like caddisflies “graze” on algae and help limit its growth. Pesticides like the ones used in Meeker’s aerial spraying are extremely toxic to those aquatic insects, and could be a contributing factor in the algae problem in the White River.
“Insects are the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ for the health of the river. Insect populations drop dramatically below Sleepy Cat,” Dorsett said.
A local citizens’ group, the White River Alliance, has formed to reach out to property owners upriver to address the potential human causes for the algae overgrowth. Several upriver landowners, including Elk Creek, have agreed not to spray for mosquitoes this summer and are “looking to change to other methods.”

– SO WHAT?
Mosquitos aren’t on anyone’s “favorite insect” list. Besides being annoying, the county has had two confirmed cases of West Nile Virus since 2016, according to Rio Blanco County Public Health. Whether the individuals contracted the disease from homegrown mosquitos cannot be confirmed. Recent outbreaks of other mosquito-borne illnesses have further increased concerns

– IS SPRAYING JUST A PLACEBO?
Research conducted by Dorsett indicates spraying may not accomplish the desired effect: killing mosquitos, and is instead killing beneficial insects like bees (see chart).
The insecticides used now are “adulticides,” meaning they only “knock down” adult flying insects.
“Three or four days later you’re back to where you were. Larvicides take down an entire generation,” Dorsett said.
Larvicides cost a little more (10-15 percent) and have to be reapplied during the season.
The town has $5,000 budgeted for weed and pest control. According to Dorsett, the pest control portion kills a minuscule percentage of adult mosquitos for a few days.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend a multi-pronged approach to mosquito control, of which aerial spraying is only one aspect.

– IS SPRAYING DANGEROUS?
Aerial spraying of malathion/permethrin comprises less than 1 percent of spraying for mosquitos, according to the EPA, there are recommendations for people who may be sensitive to aerial spraying including staying indoors with the windows closed, covering and washing outdoor items like children’s toys and pet food dishes and contacting Poison Control in case of a reaction. (800-222-1222)

– AS FAR AS THE ALGAE …
The Gunnison River has faced similar algae challenges recently.
“We are essentially duplicating the story on the Gunnison from six or seven years ago,” Dorsett said.
Gunnison changed their spraying program to eliminate aerial spraying of permethrin (which accumulates in sediment) and have seen a reduction in algal bloom. No one can say for sure if that’s the magic cure.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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