Metropolitan Mosquito Control cautions of possible midsummer West Nile surge; offers free tire drop‑offs in Scott County

Daniel Huff, executive director of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, and Alex Carlson, the district’s public affairs manager, briefed the Scott County Board on March 17 about 2025 mosquito activity and what residents should expect in 2026.

Carlson told the board the district relies on surveillance and an integrated pest‑management approach that targets species most likely to spread disease or bite aggressively while limiting impacts on non‑target species. "The median home pays about $11 per year districtwide," he said, describing how the fee funds monitoring and treatment.

The district reported 2025 was a record year for West Nile virus in the Twin Cities area, with "45 human cases" reported at the time of the presentation and a subsequent informal update that the number had reached 47. Staff emphasized the unusual timing: disease activity and the responsible mosquito species peaked in mid‑ to late July rather than later in the season, contributing to higher human case counts. "That was a significant fight for us last year," Carlson said, noting the early peak will shape control priorities for 2026.

MMCD described a treatment mix that prioritizes larval control (treating mosquitoes in water) and uses adult spraying sparingly for disease responses or large events. Carlson said the agency expanded its drone program in 2025 and plans to continue using drones because they allow the district to treat more acres safely and quickly. "We're going to be continuing to using drones this year and for many years to come," he said.

Source‑reduction work is another focus. MMCD attributed a jump in tire collections (from roughly 1,600 to about 8,000 in the combined Scott‑Carver drop‑off event) to a consolidated tire‑drop strategy and said tires are an important breeding habitat the district is working to eliminate.

Commissioners asked whether homeowner associations should undertake supplemental treatments for cattail‑filled retention ponds; Carlson recommended homeowners and associations contact MMCD first so treatments aren’t duplicated. When a commissioner asked whether there is a fee for tire drop‑off, Carlson said, "There’s no fee for residents," but callers must show proof of residence and appointments will be available; dates and sign‑up information are posted at mmcd.org.

The district also noted heightened attention to tick surveillance and a potential increase in Lyme disease risk because of tick‑life‑cycle timing. MMCD said it will issue public notices when tick season begins to encourage precautions.

The board did not take any regulatory action on mosquito control during the presentation. MMCD left its written annual report with the clerk and encouraged commissioners and residents to use its website and public maps for site‑specific information.