MOSQUITOS
Yes, Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes surely must have been a problem for early Park residents, since much of the Park was swampland before it was developed. We'd love for you to contact us with any stories you may have about life before chemicals. 

On July 26, 1926, Ordinance A-4 dealt with public health nuisances, and included a prohibition of keeping standing water where mosquitoes can breed.  It also outlawed manure or rubbish that attracted flies, mosquitoes or vermin.

In 1948, the Village Council was looking into what other areas of the country were doing about the problem, and found programs in Oregon and Ohio. They were told that a spraying program would cost $5,000.

By 1956 the mosquitoes were intolerable. In July 1956, a large group of women confronted City Hall and spoke strongly for mosquito control. The Council voted for it, but then held a second hearing, which was standing room only. Not all were in agreement: Councilman Jorvig strenuously objected to the project, stating that mosquitoes can travel 20 miles – presumably meaning that we would be killing other municipalities’ mosquitoes. He declared such spraying to be a luxury, and not scientifically or economically sound. Nevertheless, on July 30, the Council passed an emergency ordinance approving the spraying by Allied Master Sprayers.

In 1957, the City began a regular program of mosquito control spraying, the first of its kind in the area. On June 13, a $14,650 project was begun to spray the little buggers. Streets with no alleys were sprayed by the Heliflights Helicopter Service. The press made much fun of the proceedings, at the mosquitoes’ expense. That summer, Hennepin County proposed a county-wide mosquito control program.

In 1958, there was a Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission, which was responsible for breeding areas. In February, the Commission ordered 25 trucks – with winches – in anticipation of the upcoming mosquito season. The 4WD pickups were to be used to transport field crews, insecticides, and application equipment. Low bidder on the purchase was Hetfield-Queenan, Inc. of St. Paul, with $53,555. That May, the City Council, which was responsible for adult mosquitoes, instructed the City Manager to begin warfare on “Mr. and Mrs. Mosquito.” He ordered three sprayings by Associated Sprayers, at $5,150.50 per spraying. Either separate or one of the three sprayings was ordered to be “done at once” on August 7, 1958.

The war was serious: by 1959, the Commission declared that there were no “native” mosquitoes in the Park – any pesky critters found were blown in from outside the city limits. We learn about the Aedes Vexans variety of mosquito, which pits (?) in shady areas or after sundown. The monsters have a flight range of 15 to 20 miles and a lifespan of 2 to 4 weeks. By June 1959, 106,240 acres of confirmed mosquito breeding sites have been treated in the metropolitan area. Heaven know what was in that insecticide. Oh, and in July 1959, the headline read “Mosquitoes, Beware! Here Comes Death by Air and Land.” The helicopter was back, targeting parks, bog lands, and non-residential areas. Two spray-mounted trucks were also used. Then it was “Death for Mosquitoes,” as decreed by the Council. Even though the county commission declared that they had treated 700 acres and declared victory, the City Council called for and additional 7 days of additional spraying, focusing on parks and schools. Yikes.

The 1960 mosquito contract was let in June.  Councilman Jorvig still against.  Here are pictures of a mosquito control helicopter from March 1960.

     

A note from 1983 indicates that the commission will continue spraying for outdoor civic events and for scheduled park and recreational activities, but will start charging a fee to spray private property for weddings, etc.

In 2006, the Star Tribune reported that St. Louis Park was the starting point of the mosquito war in the Twin Cities. In April, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District used a helicopter to drop a granular pesticide over wetlands to kill mosquito larvae. The goal of the District was to reduce mosquito breeding in 70,000 acres of wetlands across the seven-county area, making it more pleasant to be outdoors and checking the spread of West Nile virus.

Now there is a website where you can find out how active the little devils will be in your zip code:  www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/mosquito

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.