Madison Skinner, a pest‑abatement worker with county community development, briefed the commission during public comment on this summer’s monitoring and treatments for cricket swarms. "I have been just kinda running around Elko County, monitoring crickets," Skinner said, describing ground treatments with carbaryl bait at multiple sites and noting she was limited to treating the same area once per season.

Skinner said she tracked locations on a small map and recorded about 55 miles of treatment routes and the use of about 3,442 pounds of bait. She reported fewer crickets this year compared with last year and described visits to areas including Greenhorn Cutoff near Carlin, Pleasant Valley near Spring Creek, South Fork near the shooting range, Hamilton Stage neighborhood and Rendon.

County staff brief exchange: Commissioners and staff asked about earlier‑season treatment options and whether spraying could be used against nymphs. Staff said the county currently lacks the equipment and licensed personnel to conduct broad spray operations and that the weed and pest district’s purpose includes acquiring equipment and licensing to expand options.

Why it matters: The information provides residents and commissioners an operational update on county pest‑abatement field work, bait use and limitations on re‑treatments per safety rules.

Ending: Skinner said she will continue monitoring and targeted treatments and county staff said they will explore options to expand capabilities pending equipment and licensing.