EAST BRUNSWICK
NATURE NOTES
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EAST BRUNSWICK
NATURE NOTES
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| Photos & Columns |
| "We
are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing
how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out." --Ray
Bradbury
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 The Photos & Columns Page will
contain photographs, information or
articles submitted by members of the
Environmental Commission, readers or from other sources. This may
involve vacation, birding  or photography
trips, and advice or
suggestions on these topics. Photographs
and articles may
appear on this page or links will be provided here to
access the
images. To paraphrase the above quote; let us drink of the beautiful stuff others have tipped over for us, and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Please enjoy! |
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ATTENTION
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND AUTHORS
We extend a personal invitation to
those
of you with photographs of birds, flowers, insects, landacapes and
scenics, etc., to submit them for presentation on njnaturenotes.com
While we may reduce the
image size to fit our format, please submit in a large format (.jpeg,
.jpg or .gif), with text to go along as explanation. If you are a budding author and would like to submit an article about your experiences in nature, travel to beautiful places, environmental issues, etc., please do. We strongly believe that it is your submissions that will ultimately shape this website and increase its value, interest and relevance. |
| Featured: The Photography and writing of Stephen Bahr The photography of Brett Klaproth The photography of Sean Burke The writings and photography of Joe Mish Mosquito article by Liti Haramaty |
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by
Liti Haramaty - East Brunswick Environmental Commission
Glenn Levinson, Supervisor of the Middlesex county Mosquito Extermination Commission gave the inaugural talk of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission lecture series. He delivered a most interesting, informative and important presentation about mosquitoes and mosquito control. Mosquito control is important not only for our comfort but also to eliminate the spread of mosquito borne diseases such as west Nile virus and dog heartworm. Glenn explained that mosquitoes, like all insects, have a complex life cycle that starts when the eggs are laid in water, or on the ground in flood areas. Many eggs can be found in a small area and talking about billions of mosquitoes is not an exaggeration. If in water mosquito eggs will develop into adults in just 7-10 days. In potential flood areas they can stay dormant for years just waiting for the area to become wet. The first stages of a mosquito’s life are in the water. The larvae grow in the water, turns into a pupa from which the adult will later fly out. Glenn explained that only the females bite. They need a blood meal which provides the nutrients to produce their eggs. Females can bite repeatedly for weeks or even months. At this stage, mosquitoes are concentrated and, for the most part, contained, and through good water management the problem of biting adults can be avoided. The Mosquito Extermination commission now recognizes 14,000 potential breeding sites in the county. They survey the sites regularly and if there is a need they apply “pesticides”. This word has developed a very bad reputation, and for good historical reasons. Glenn told us that the compounds used in NJ have a very low risk factor and most are very specific. Bti, for example, is a toxin produced by bacteria that kills mosquito larvae. In other organisms, including other insects, the toxin breaks down in the acidic gut, while mosquitoes’ guts are alkaline and so the toxin doesn’t denature. In other words, it is specific to mosquitoes. Other pesticides affect metabolism and are also specific to mosquitoes. From an ecological point of view, Glenn explained that there are studies that show that mosquito larvae are not an important food source for aquatic organisms such as amphibians (frogs and salamanders) and so specific pesticides in vernal pools and ponds do not scientifically affect the community of the pool or pond. Mosquitoes, of course, don’t know about county lines. Glenn, answering a question from the audience, assured us that all counties in NJ have excellent mosquito control programs, all according to EPA regulations. But county commission cannot do it all. We all should be aware of potential problems with mosquitoes and know what to do to eliminate them from our own environment. Most of us, even if we don’t know it, have potential mosquito breeding sites near our homes and businesses. Mosquitoes are opportunists and will lay eggs anywhere there is a bit of water. Pool covers, plant pots, kid’s pools, tires, upside down lawn furniture even up-turned bottle caps! We all have to watch for these and empty standing water containers in our yards. We should report any problem we can’t handle ourselves to the county. The county commission will even donate mosquito-eating fish (mostly gambusia) to private ponds. Even with all the effort and work, there will always be some mosquitoes around, and we should follow the recommendations of the CDC about applying insect repellent while spending time outdoors. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/pesticides.htm Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission Web site http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/mosquito Phone (732) 549-0665. -- Refreshments for this event were generously provided by Walter Niemiec, Manager, Shop-Rite of East Brunswick. Thank you so much for your help. |