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Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 3:32 AM

Behind the Buzz: How the Mosquito Abatement Team Keeps the Swarm Away

"Private landowners are responsible for their own weeds," one technician explained, "but we're here to make sure they have the tools and knowledge to handle it. We'd rather work with folks than against them"...
Behind the Buzz: How the Mosquito Abatement Team Keeps the Swarm Away

On the surface, Churchill County's wide-open spaces might seem like a perfect springtime paradise, with lush alfalfa fields stretching under the Nevada sky, kids playing ball as the sun sets, and sprinklers ticking rhythmically in the distance. But lurking in puddles, ditches, and forgotten flowerpots is an annual menace with wings: mosquitoes. What some have called the official bird of the Lahontan Valley 

Fortunately, Churchill County is home to a team of unsung heroes armed not with capes but sprayers and science. The team at Churchill County Mosquito, Vector, and Noxious Weed Abatement District works behind the scenes year-round to protect residents, livestock, and even pollinators from disease-carrying pests and invasive weeds.  

What the district does isn't as simple as fogging fields with bug spray. It's a careful balance of timing, temperature, wind speed, topography, and biology. Their technicians monitor known water sources and conduct regular testing to identify larvae before they hatch—an everyday reminder: just four ounces of stagnant water can breed dozens of mosquitoes. 

"People are often surprised to learn how precise mosquito control has to be," said one field tech. "We can't fog if the wind is too high or if the temperature is off. And we always check with residents about bee activity so we can avoid harming pollinators." 

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are an integral part of the local ecosystem, and the Abatement District actively works to protect them, relying on community calls to identify hive locations and adjust treatment areas accordingly. 

While the spring season ramps up mosquito activity, it also brings weed infestations. The district tackles those too, spraying pre-emergent herbicides along county roads and helping residents learn to manage noxious weeds on private property is part of their mission. 

The district partners with the Lahontan Conservation District to offer free, weekly weed control classes. Upon completion, property owners receive herbicide and guidance for treating their own land. 

"Private landowners are responsible for their own weeds," one technician explained, "but we're here to make sure they have the tools and knowledge to handle it. We'd rather work with folks than against them." 

This spring, the mosquito abatement team has already responded to reports from across the community, including mosquito complaints at the softball fields. In that case, a technician quickly found and treated a likely source, reinforcing the district's reputation for responsiveness. 

Their work is both preventative and reactive. From fogging neighborhoods to coordinating with parents, coaches, and property owners, the team is often out before dawn or after dark, timing treatments to minimize disruption and maximize effectiveness. 

Leadership at the district is gauging interest and planning an Open House for a Saturday this June, to be determined, to give the public a peek at how they do what they do. 

Employees plan to open the abatement facility for a few hours and invite the public to see how operations work. "We'll walk folks through the science behind vector control, demonstrate some of our equipment, and talk about the seasonal strategy we follow," one tech said. 

As the Open House approaches, the district is asking for feedback. "Would you attend an Open House in June?" their social media post asks. "We'd love to know. Come see how we operate, ask questions, and learn what it takes to keep Churchill County bite-free." 

Spoiler alert: it takes a lot more than bug spray. 

If you are interested in the Open House or have mosquito/weed questions, call: 775-423-2828 or email [email protected] 

 Weed Class Info: 775-217-5273 (Lahontan Conservation District) 


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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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