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The
Clark County Public Works Vector Control team monitors
and implements control measures for weeds and the black
fly and other pests affecting Clark County buildings and
rights-of-way. They also assist in field research,
data collection and reporting, and educating the public.
Regarding
weed abatement, the team removes nuisance plants from
flood channels and other Clark County rights-of-way for
the purposes of property protection, safety, fire hazard
reduction, and aesthetics. Vector Control also
handles invasive or noxious weeds on County property.
Invasive weeds such as fountain grass, camelthorn and
yellow starthistle can destroy wildlife habitats by
displacing threatened and endangered plants and animals,
reducing plant and animal diversity, and disrupting bird
flight patterns and nesting habits. Humans are not
immune from the ill effects of noxious vegetation.
Invasive weeds can reduce opportunities for hiking,
fishing and camping and cost millions of dollars in
treatment and loss of productivity to private
landowners.
The
black fly is a pest throughout the world, affecting
humans, livestock, poultry and wildlife. In some
places, the fly can be an aggressive biter.
However, the breed of black fly that has made the
Colorado River its home is not known for biting, but
instead it can cause extreme discomfort by persistently
swarming about the eyes, nose and mouth. The
Colorado River runs between Laughlin, Nevada in Clark
County and Bullhead City, Arizona in Mohave County.
As a result, Clark and Mohave Counties treat for black
flies, which are also locally known as buffalo gnats.
Nearly thirty years ago, Clark and Mohave Counties
entered an interlocal agreement and arranged for the
Clark County Vector Control team to handle the pest for
both Laughlin and Bullhead City. For each
treatment, the team releases approximately 660 gallons
of a naturally occurring larvicide (bacillus
thuringiensis israelensis (Bti)) from a tank aboard a
pontoon boat. The boat travels a course from near
Davis Dam in Laughlin to up to twelve miles downstream.
The treatment product, which was discovered in Israel
and manufactured by Valent BioSciences, is pumped into
the water at approximately 12 spots. The treatment
can take 4 or more hours. Clark County Vector
Control makes approximately 26 treatments throughout the
year.
“The
agreement between Clark County and Mohave County is a
great one. The arrangement shows that states can
cooperate to help their residents,” stated Gary Loberg,
Clark County Public Works Management Analyst II.
Loberg continued, “By eliminating the black fly we are
truly benefiting people who live in Clark County and
Mohave County, Arizona.”
“People
in Laughlin have told us that things have completely
changed for the better from 30 years ago when there were
so many black flies,” said Rusty Carlson, Clark County
Public Works Vector Control Agent II.
Clark
County offices, buildings and fire stations are provided
pest control services on a routine basis by Vector
Control. Pests can include Africanized bees.
Vector Control eliminates Africanized honeybees (AHB)
found on County property, and advises residents on
measures to help prevent and control AHB's on private
property.
As a
public service, Vector Control provides insect and weed
identifications and control recommendations. Also,
honeybee study kits are available to schools. To
download an AHB safety tips, please click on Bee Fact
Sheet located at (www.accessclarkcounty.com/pubworks/community_info/Bee_Facts.pdf).
For more information about this Public Works team,
contact Vector Control at 702-455-7543.
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