Tracy Press

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written by Nicki , August 05, 2008

A swath of the city south of 11th Street, west of MacArthur Drive, east of Tracy Boulevard and north of Valpico Road will be sprayed between 4 and 6 p.m. Friday, if wind conditions are favorable.

Crews will spray Pyrenone 25-5, a pesticide that’s harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or gets in eyes or on skin. It’s toxic to fish.

Are you kidding me? I understand that they are more active during that time, but isn't there something else to use that isn't HARMFUL if inhaled, swallowed or get into eyes or on skin of humans?

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

Doesn't any of it settle into the people's swimming pools? Grass where the children play? Any recommendations? Inform your residents in the future next time on the next procedure the resident needs to take before engaging in any activities?

Thanks.
-amy

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written by momof3 , August 06, 2008

Spraying between 4 and 6 p.m on a Friday night?

Keep your kids and animals indoors and close all the windows.

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written by LAM , August 06, 2008

Nicki,
I wish there was a safer way but I doubt there is. I live VERY near the Tom Paine Slough and they have sprayed for mosquitoes here by foot and by air a few times already. Just stay indoors for the time spraying is done. It may be hazardous to be outside for those hours, but it will prevent you from receiving the West Nile Virus later that could effect you for days.

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written by fortheunderdog , August 06, 2008

I think the spraying should be done directly over Tracy's city hall to get rid of a few pests.

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

Amen to that, fortheunderdog! But make sure Abercrombie is not in that building, somebody's gotta warn him, others just don't listen!

-amy

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written by fortheunderdog , August 06, 2008

I'll make sure Abercrombie is with me at Starbuck's.

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

They could at least do the spraying during the quietest time in the early mornings? Not during those active hours, on a Friday night to boot! Keep teenagers home? Good luck with some "World War III" happenings in some homes over trying to keep them indoors! Poor parents! Pets are easier!

-amy

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written by Dave Hardesty , August 06, 2008

Since everyone seems to think these guys are totally stupid then why not just sit back and don't do anything at all and hope the West Nile problem simply goes away?

It's all about Tracy and the time of day. Good grief, what about the other days and the other communities they are spraying.

Wind conditions favorable. If we have strong winds from the southeast that would real favorable condition. But since at that time of day the wind is normally blowing things towards the east, away from town, I don't think we really have anything to worry about.

And heaven forbid that any gardner in town should be using this stuff that is most likely available over the counter in various stores about town. That could be a really big problem.

Oh worry worry worry, nash nash nash. Many of you are going to kill yourselves with this continual worry and second guessing of people and their motives. Is it really worth it?

fortheunderdog

Appreciate the humor in your comments. Much ado about nothing.

Dave Hardesty

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written by fortheunderdog , August 06, 2008

Dave,

I kind of like your idea of not doing anything. Then we'd have to wish for mosquitos to infest city hall hoping that they've got the West Nile. Either way works for me.

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written by LAM , August 06, 2008

I never did say this was stupid. West Nile Virus varies. Most of the time, people who get the virus have no symptoms, yet it can be severe to swollen lymph glands and inflammation of spinal cords which can possibly last for weeks. Then we will complain about our government not protecting citizens by spraying these little flying pests! Although it seems to not have no permanent health effects. Let them spray. They have done it around my house for the last 4+ months!

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

Correct, and we, (med prof.) are concerned with long term effect after contracting West Nile Virus.

Severe West Nile Infection Could Lead To Lifetime Of Symptoms (Mar. 18, 200 — Most people who suffer severe infection with West Nile virus still experience symptoms years after infection and many may continue to experience these symptoms for the rest of their lives according ... > read more

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060817102043.htm

The article came out on reports of dead birds in Tracy Press some months ago, that is why it is important to call in the numbers of dead birds found on your premise, helps them to track the migratory path of the mosquitoes.

We do need to eradicate them, people are smart enough to use common sense and take precautions, if not the number is provided at the end of the article to direct your questions to.

Glad we have this program. Those affected are in few numbers and the majority are not affected, those few are often elderlys and youngs.

Thanks.
-amy

Thanks.

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written by Jazbone , August 06, 2008

"Crews will spray Pyrenone 25-5, a pesticide that’s harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or gets in eyes or on skin. It’s toxic to fish. "

Shoot, that's about the time I take my goldfish for a walk...gonna have to reschedule now.

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

Jazbone! That's funny, you and fortheunderdog have great sense of humor! Thanks for the laugh.

-amy

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written by fortheunderdog , August 06, 2008

Jazbone,

I have heard there is equipment called SCABA(self contained abovewater breathing apparatus) for fish that take walks. Similiar to SCUBA gear but works well out-of-water. Instead of fins, the company also manufactures prosthetic human feet in sizes to fit your goldfish. Here's the number you can call to order your equipment. 1(800) AIR-4FISH

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written by Concerned Parents , August 06, 2008

Will it kill the fish that the County gave us to eat mosquito larvae in our pond?

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written by amy , August 06, 2008

Good question! I don't know, depends on size and kind of fish. If they are surface "slurpers", perhaps.

For information: 982-4675. Maybe you can find out by calling them?

-amy

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written by Dave Hardesty , August 06, 2008

I doubt it will kill the fish. If it does you can call the county and they will give you some more. They don't live all that long anyway after the larve are gone and have to be restocked regularly.

Dave Hardesty

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written by lngtmtrcyrsdt , August 06, 2008

to set everyones mind at ease, i talked to the mosquito control people asking them what time zone they live in, because the sun does not go down here between 4 and 6pm. the guy chuckled and said that they had many calls about the timeframe and already informed the TP and told them...if they can't get the story straight, than they should refer people to the mosquito abatement website. first of all, the spraying will be conducted at 4 to 6am. i also asked him about my koi and goldfish ponds and he assured me that i don't have to worry about it at all. now, ya'll can relax, LOL

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written by LAM , August 06, 2008

I agree with you Dave Hardesty. I figure one or two fish may kick the bucket but that is better than a human life. Amy is also correct with the elderly and young is more likely to be affected by a severe WNV if an infected mosquito bites them. But, that does not mean health middle aged people cannot get it too!

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written by lngtmtrcyrsdt , August 06, 2008

Dave..are you talking about the mosquito fish?...call the county and they will give you some more. They don't live all that long anyway after the larve are gone and have to be restocked regularly.

i had called them 2 yrs ago and they brought out about 1/2 doz. because i only had them in a big barrel with some plants. the skeeters were gone within a couple of hrs. i did asked the man what happends to the little fish and he told me that they just die. me, being an animal lover, that was not an option and i moved them into my goldfish pond and they are multiplying like rabbits.

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written by Dave Hardesty , August 07, 2008

The reason they die is because they run out of food. If you are feeding them they live much longer. The idea is to let them do naturally what they do and not have to use as many chemicals.

If you feed them then that's great. But with all the ponds and places of standing water, it's kind of difficult for the people in the county to feed all of them so they simply die out.

Actually perhaps you ought to contact the county and see if you can follow all of them around and feed all of these little guys when the skeeter season is over.

That way the fish won't die out, the county won't have to continually replace them and when the skeeters come back in the next season the fish will already be there. What a savings.

Ok, that was sarcastic a bit but I hope you can see the problems. Yes, its a shame these little fish die because they have no food. But it's impossible to keep feeding them and they do serve mankind with a valuble purpose instead of continuing to pollute our streams, lakes and oceans with man made chemicals that work themselves back into our food chain.

So, the fish serve a purpose and die or we use more and more chemicals and end up eventually killing ourselves.

I don't know about you but I believe that people are a lot more important than these cute little fish.

Dave Hardesty

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written by amy , August 07, 2008

Those who have exotic fish in their ponds, such as Koi, (very pricey Japanese fish.) I suggest you make the call to the number provided at the end of the article? Just playing it safe.

Thanks. (Admirers of Koi that I discovered at Japanese Garden here!)
-amy

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written by Dave Hardesty , August 07, 2008

amy

That is a very good idea. Thanks for mentioning it.

Dave Hardesty