Metropolitan Mosquito Control District briefs Scott County on season outlook, drones and tire recycling

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District told the Scott County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 that last year’s above‑average rainfall led to a sharp increase in larval inspections and treatments, and that the district has expanded drone use and changed its tire‑recycling process ahead of the 2025 mosquito season.

The briefing, delivered by Daniel Huff, executive director of the District, and Alex Carlson, the district’s public affairs manager, summarized surveillance, treatment methods, disease risks and new operational changes. "My name is Daniel Huff. I'm the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Miskito Control District. I'm joined here today by our public affairs manager, Alex Carlson, who'll be giving our presentation," Huff said at the start of the presentation.

Carlson emphasized the district’s public‑health focus and described last year’s operating picture: more rain generated more larval acres treated and more helicopter and larval work, while drought the previous three years had suppressed some nuisance species. "The median home in the district pays about $11 per year for all of the services that mosquito control provides, which we think is a pretty great deal," Carlson said. He added that the district considers larval control the primary method because larval applications target breeding sites before adult mosquitoes disperse.

Why it matters: Scott County residents rely on the district for surveillance and for rapid response after rain events. The district’s treatment decisions affect where and when helicopters and crews operate, and the board heard changes that may influence local outreach and operational timelines.

Most important details: District staff said they test adult mosquitoes in a Saint Paul lab for West Nile and track other viruses that affect humans (Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse encephalitis) or horses (eastern equine encephalitis). They described integrated pest management practices reviewed annually by a scientific technical advisory board and said that the district uses bacteria‑based larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) attached to corn granules. "It's a really, amazing product," Carlson said, describing BTI’s specificity to mosquito larvae and limited effect on non‑target species.

New operations for 2025 include: - Expanded drone program: drones will be used at each facility for surveillance and to treat medium‑ and small‑sized wetlands more safely and efficiently than wading with backpack equipment. - Tire recycling changes: the district will continue to collect tires but will move to dedicated drop‑off days and partner with city recycling events rather than ad‑hoc pickups when staff are strained by weather responses. - Continued public outreach: expanded educational events (fairs, schools) and interactive online maps totaling roughly 20 years of data so residents can see local mosquito habitat and sign up for email alerts.

Board questions and public‑safety context: Commissioners asked how outreach goals would be measured and how the public would be notified about tire recycling. Commissioner Wolf asked for expected outcomes from increased outreach, and Carlson said the goals were awareness, encouraging resident prevention (reducing standing water), and recruitment for seasonal staff. In response to a question from Commissioner Aldrich about fogger use near lakes, Carlson advised following product labels and recommended the district’s residents guide for specific cautions to avoid harming aquatic life and non‑target insects.

Disease outlook and invasive species: staff said West Nile virus vector species tend to thrive in hot, dry conditions and that 2024’s cooler, wetter season was associated with fewer West Nile cases. They warned of a likely increase in cattail‑breeding mosquitoes this year because those species hatched in the fall and were found at higher than 10‑year average acres last autumn. Conversely, recent extreme cold was expected to reduce last year’s spike in lone star ticks and limit overwintering of the tropical Aedes albopictus.

Closing: District staff urged residents to use the MMCD website for maps, control tips and email alerts and noted that much of control work is triggered by rainfall patterns that create temporary broods. "We're grateful for these cold temperatures," Carlson said earlier in the briefing when explaining their effect on seasonal timing.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take formal action during the session.