The mosquitoes seemed a little better in Albert Lea over the weekend, but they’re still out in force.

Monday, July 02, 2001

The mosquitoes seemed a little better in Albert Lea over the weekend, but they’re still out in force.

We could have one of two reactions to this: Either spraying doesn’t work very well or very fast – or, imagine how bad it would have been if the city did not spray.

The city can certainly be credited for quick action on an issue that was bringing tempers to a boiling point in town. The city had not sprayed for skeeters in a decade, but the demand for the service was high and rising as swarms of the state bird mercilessly attacked residents. Within a day of when frustrated residents began a petition drive to ask for action, the city was on the phone with a company that did the job.

The order has been made and the city will pay $21,000 for the service this year. Several more rounds of spraying are planned in coming weeks as part of the package.

The question now becomes: Does Albert Lea want to make mosquito spraying an annual tradition again? Are residents concerned about the chemicals’ effect? The agent used is said to be very mild and safe.

If residents want spraying to continue, perhaps it’s time for everyone to take out their own wallet to make it happen. When residents want a great fireworks show, they are willing to donate enough money to make it happen. Why can’t the same happen for mosquito spraying? A couple days of fund raising should do it. It only amounts to a dollar and change for every resident of the city.

Because mosquito populations vary year to year, and because our tolerance for them changes in sync, it makes sense that residents could decide each year if a fund drive is necessary. If it is, and if the fireworks fundraiser is any indication, the cash should be easy to come by.