Published: July 08, 2009 12:00 am      

Residents: Mosquitoes aren't an issue yet

Day after day of rain leaving puddles everywhere should equal a bountiful crop of mosquitoes _ but that doesn't appear to be the case locally.

A survey of area camp directors, park managers, golf-course superintendents and local officials found that mosquito complaints are almost nonexistent.

John Hannum, Delaware County's 4-H Camp Shankitunk director, said camp started Sunday, but he hasn't heard of any mosquito issues yet.

"We used to spray annually," Hannum said. "But since the wind storm damaged the camp several years ago, we haven't sprayed, and we aren't getting any complaints."

Hannum guessed that the cool weather may be keeping the insects in check.

Scott Brady, Henderson Scout Camp director, said this is the first week of camp, but at this point, it appears all of the bugs are appearing for a shorter duration, in lesser numbers.

"I don't know whether it's too wet or too cold, but the bugs aren't bothering us," Brady said. "We have taken a couple of precautions, but we don't have a problem."

Tom Kaufman, Delhi College Golf Course superintendent, concurred that there have been no complaints.

"I haven't even seen a mosquito," Kaufman said. "Of course, I am usually there during the day, but no one is complaining about them being out in the evening."

Ed Winslow, Gilbert Lake State Park manager, said he has seen some mosquitoes in swampy areas outside the park, but none in the park.

"The other night, I was in my garden at home, and the black flies were bad," Winslow said. "I didn't have any problems with black flies when they are usually out in May, so that was a little odd."

A spokeswoman at Glimmerglass State Park echoed the observation.

"There are no complaints that I have heard," she said.

Dianne Dirig, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County family and consumer science program leader, said, "I checked with the Master Gardener

Helpline, and we have not received calls in regard to mosquitoes being an issue this year."

Dirig said the Cornell University website, www.nysipm.cornell.edu, offers various information about mosquitoes.

Dirig added that people can call the Master Gardener Helpline at 547-2536, ext. 228, or send an e-mail inquiry to mastergardener-otsego@cornell.edu any time.

"We have Master Gardener volunteers that staff the Helpline, and are glad to help with inquiries about home gardening and related topics," Dirig said.

Not everyone is convinced that the mosquito population is down this year.

"It doesn't take a whole lot of water to produce a lot of mosquitoes," Ward Stone, state Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife pathologist, said Tuesday. "But you can get such heavy rainfall that it will flush out standing water and carry the mosquito larva downstream."

Stone, who works out of the Albany area, said there are mosquito problems in the eastern portion of the state.

"There are more people talking about problems than I have seen in a long time," Stone said. "The lower ambient temperatures slow evaporation, which is good for the mosquitoes."

Stone warned that people need to take precautions to avoid getting mosquito bites because there are already some West Nile virus cases being reported.

"A lot of times, West Nile is at its worst in mid-August," Stone said. "The bottom line is we want people to be careful."