History of the Leavenworth Mosquito Control District

Prior to the formation of the Leavenworth Mosquito Control District the Lions Club of Leavenworth had undertaken over a number of years to raise funds for the aerial spraying of mosquitoes in the Leavenworth area.  This spraying typically occurred shortly before the Fourth of July.  However in the late 90's this practice began to be challenged and spraying was suspended in 2000 and 2001.  Mosquito numbers in 2002 were high enough that the City of Leavenworth combined with the Chamber of Commerce took responsiblity for a final aerial spray prior to the formation of the Leavenworth Mosquito Control District.  Funding was provided by the Lions Club.  In the meantime Lions Club members had begun the process of preparing the question of a Mosquito Control District to be put to the voters along with funding for it through taxes.

In the Fall of 2002 voters overwhelmingly approved the formation of a Mosquito Control District and its funding.   Since a board and an approved budget had to be in place prior to the approval of tax collection, no taxes were available for 2003.  The Lions Club generously donated about $20,000 in funds which they had collected for mosquito control.  This along with a small loan obtained in late 2003 financed the initial season of operation.  In 2004 through 2006 taxes were assessed based on property value.  In 2006 the state informed the district that to continue such an assessment a levy must be approved each year. The board therefore decided to collect taxes on a per parcel basis.

After the District was approved by the voters the Chelan County Board of Commissioners accepted applications for the initial Mosquito Control Board and appointed 4 board members: these were  Tom Guthrie, Dayle Massey, Karl Pflugrath and Bill Luebke.  A fifth Veronica Harrison was appointed by the city.  President Tom Guthrie and Secretary Treasurer Dayle Massey continue to serve on the board to this day but other obligations or poor health have resulted in the transition of the other 3 members.  Bill Luebke was the first to resign followed by Veronica Harrison and Karl Pfulgrath. Becki Subido was the first new member.  Later she resigned.  Todays board includes Ken Coffin (for the city, taking the place of a short stint by Mel Wyles) as well as Larry Meyer and Nick Stemm. 

The board began meeting in early 2003 and soon became persuaded that the District activities should include larvaciding. A number of Mosquito Control Districts were consulted.  Manager Lorna Johnson of the Curlew Mosquito Control District was especially helpful and agreed to provide some instruction and materials (forms and applicatiors) for the new District.

The position of Manager was advertised and Manager Jenny Mullins was hired to begin May 1st .  She took the information which the Board had gathered and quickly obtained a permit and materials (including the larvicides Bacillus thuringiensis and monomolecular film).  She began the treatment of larval habitat as she searched for such sites by soliciting information from the public as well as by scouting areas by truck and on foot.  Later in the summer Central Washington Helicopters provided a tour of the District and this resulted in the discovery of two ponds and an untreated swimming pool.  In later years, complaints have been used to eliminate backyard breeding areas as well as to pinpoint new treatment sites. By 2007 adults of the nuisance mosquito Aedes vexans were virtually eliminated from the area.  Only one was positively identified in 2007. 

Large concentrations of Aedes vexans in 2003 and 2006 resulted in aerial spraying of the adulticide malathion.  In 2006 a concentration against the hillside east of East Leavenworth Road resulted in the spraying of 275 acres.  In 2003 most of the district (except for the northern most end) was sprayed in late June.  Complaints continued and the area between Shore Street and the southern end of East Leavenworth Road was aerially sprayed again in late July following a ground spray behind Alpine Heights in early July. 

In 2004 Assistant David Wood was hired.  He has worked for us each year since then but was less available in 2007.  In 2007 Assistant Bruce Hill was hired and provided the majority of larvaciding assistance.  These assistants have been an integral part of our success over the years, since water levels in May and June result in a much greater area of larval habitat.  They each have their own pesticide applicators license and work independently in their assigned areas using their own vehicle.

In 2004 the treatment of storm drain catch basins began. The introduction to the district of an economical long lasting material Bacillus sphaericus helped to spread out the larvaciding work schedule.  Bacillus thuringiensis continued to be the treatment of choice but in 2006 the use of methoprene was also adopted.  It became clear in 2006 that Bacillus sphaericus was not effective against Aedes vexans.  Fortunately this discovery was made while there was still enough time to retreat the areas with Bacillus thuringiensis.

Lower water levels in 2004 and 2005 (record lows in 2005) combined with the knowledge of sites gathered in 2003 to produce successful larvaciding years where no adulticiding was necessary.  These years also had early high temperatures so that larvaciding began April 1st.  In 2006 and 2007 larvaciding was not needed until late April.  Although water levels were much higher in 2006 with flooding in the parks, control of  mosquitoes along the rivers was quite successful.  The missed larva were due to high rains and runoff against the East Leavenworth hillside.

In 2007 water levels were comparable to that of 2003.  Successful control was achieved.  Almost all sites had trap counts below ten.  However trap numbers at Waterfront Park and the Wheeler Woodland climbed in August to over 20 and 30 Culex per night.  The approach of West Nile virus means that we cannot afford to become complacent.  We seek to improve our control efforts as long as mosquito-borne disease remains a serious threat to our community.