2011 Annual Report - Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control ...

Microbial & Chemical ControlCatch Basin ProgramThe Catch Basin Program was enhanced in 2005 to combat the high number and types ofcatch basins within Sacramento and Yolo counties. A catch basin is defined as a chamber, wellor inlet designed to collect rain water which includes systems to collect debris and sedimentand prevent the clogging of sewers. Catch Basin technicians focus their primary efforts oninspecting, monitoring and treating approximately 160,000 catch basins, many of whichare found to be problematic in urban and suburban neighborhoods throughout both of ourCounties.Staff also spent time converting all old paper maps into a digital format. Mapping is a verycomplex yet very important part of the catch basin program as it helps crews find and identifybasins with landmarks for each confirmed basin. The electronic formatting of the catch basinmaps decreased the time necessary to make map alterations thus increasing the time availablefor other treatments and tasks.The catch basin program staff was also involved in field efficacy testing of District productsused to treat the basins. Evaluating the effectiveness of such products ensures that they areused at appropriate levels and intervals. In 2011 two bikes and an electric scooter wereadded to the program. Under the proper conditions, they were found to be more efficient thanvehicles. Another bonus with using the bikes and scooter is the decrease in carbon emissionswhich helps the environment.Lastly, the catch basin program continued collaborations with the City of Sacramento andother cities to enhance and promote a green waste container program which encouragesresidents to utilize green waste containers for all yard clippings instead of leaving it looseon the street. Grass clippings and other lawn debris can flow into street basins and guttersincreasing the production of mosquitoes. Placing all waste into containers helps to limit thegrowth of mosquito populations and reduces favorable areas where they can breed.The Catch Basin Program was enhanced in 2005 tocombat the high number and types of catch basins.Catch Basin TREATMENTS 2005–201135000NUMBER OF CATCH BASINS TREATED30000250002000015000100005000The Catch Basin Program was enhanced in 2005 tocombat the high number and types of catch basins.0JanuaryFeburaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20112011 Annual ReportCatch Basin technicians focus their primary effortson inspecting, monitoring and treating catch basinsfound to be problematic in our neighborhoods.23