RBC | Seeking to find out more about effective mosquito control, the White River Alliance asked Jesse Schroeder, the Director of Weed and Pest Control from neighboring Moffat County, to help answer that question. Moffat has been using an Integrated Pest Management program for several years, which targets mosquito larvae using biological non-toxic controls. IPM has proven to be far more effective at mosquito control than other methods.
Questions have been raised about the use of Permethrin, a broad spectrum insecticide used in Rio Blanco County, for mosquito control. There is a growing concern about the effects of premetherin on human and river health. Permethrin kills all beneficial insects it comes into contact with, including bees and water born insects.
Schroeder answered numerous questions and explained why other counties have gravitated to Integrated Pest Management, a more effective and environmentally sound management tool for mosquitos. “I simply see better control when treatments are done on larva and pupa. That is why our primary focus is treating them in the water. The purpose of integrated pest management is to use as many tools as possible to maximize control of the target species,” said Jesse Schroeder.
In Jesse’s program, most of the budget is spent on targeting larva and pupa before they become biting adults, because as he stated, “we obtain much better control with larvicides such as Bti, than the adulticides such as Permethrin. The Bti or larvicide is non- toxic to livestock and wildlife, as well as beneficial insects.”
The White River has previously contacted insect experts at the Palisades Insectary who provide area landowners with beetles that attack invasive species such as tamarisk and leafy spurge. Spraying permethrins will kill these insects on contact, eliminating their benefit.
The White River Alliance hopes to encourage communities in Rio Blanco County to explore the use of this more effective and environmentally sound Integrated Pest Management method.
In other business, Dr. Bob Dorsett, who has been tracking indicators for River Watch on the White for over 25 years, gave a report on the “State of the River.” He noted that runoff continues to steadily decline. The White has seen a roughly 20% reduction in stream flow over the past 20 years due to a continued drought and climate change that show temperatures (increasing) and precipitation (decreasing) at the headwaters of the White River.
White River Alliance’s projects this year are to continue their reduction of invasive species, reduce litter along the river, and expand the scholarship program for high school students with a Leadership in Conservation Award for both a Rangely and a Meeker High School graduating senior.
The Alliance elected their board for 2022 with Shawn Welder re-elected president, John Wix, VP, Lois Williams, Deirdre Macnab, Chris Harris, Kathleen Kelley, and Luke Trout. The website is WhiteRiverAlliance.Net
Special to the Herald Times
