INSPECTIONAL SERVICES

The old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very true in mosquito control.  Early intervention or preemptive action to prevent a potential mosquito breeding site from becoming an actual mosquito breeding site is as much a control strategy as an application or treatment to an actual breeding site and often an existing mosquito breeding problem can be easily corrected.  While the District is authorized under the provisions of chapter 252: section 4 of  the General Laws of the Commonwealth  to enter upon lands for the purpose of inspection, it is not a regulatory agency.  Nor is it our intention to cause any imposition on any citizen or business,  but rather to be a resource for information and technology to help property owners prevent or abate mosquitoes to the mutual benefit of the property owner, the community, and mosquito control.

The District acts as a technical advisor at the request of the Board of Health and represents the municipalities public, human, and animal health  concerns relative to mosquito breeding, potential breeding, and proposed real estate developments.  The District, at the request of the Board of Health will review site plans and inspect sites where storm water structures are planned or are in the process of construction.  Upon inspection of a site, the District will make written recommendations to the Board of Health and the land owner.

The primary vector species of West Nile Virus, Culex pipiens, typically breeds in artificial containers such as catch basins, storm water structures, etc. This species in particular seems to thrive where others fail, due to their ability to survive in highly organic and polluted water.  These conditions are often associated with industrial and office parks, commercial sites, and agricultural livestock facilities.  Due to the potential for Culex species breeding in and around these properties, the District will routinely inspect such areas.

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