Foreclosures and West Nile Virus.

Drain the bloody pools and the problems solved. geez...

 

Sacramento area experienced something similar last year, with high foreclosures and concerns about standing water in the empty properties. Neighborhoods would 'take charge' and visit each of the empty homes to make sure there was no standing water. I don't remember there being legal issues, but it's not hard to imagine that someone sue-happy would cause a big stink.

 

tough to keep draining all those pools after any rainfall. I fear that this may be the begining with rodents etc... the mouse virus we have here in NM -- i forget what it's called---any rate comes from their nesting.....James Kunstler advises we should access these houses as a source of reclaimed building materials...James Howard Kunstler that these properties will serve a purpose in that manner since after a time period they will be unusable as habitation.
Froley

 

I have thousands of mosquito fish in my dragon fly pond.

I started my school of mosquito eaters with about twenty my neighbor gave me earlier this year. They multiply rapidly. Between the dragon fly swarm and mosquito fish school I have a yard which is virtually mosquito free even though my lot is next to wetlands.

Below are pictures of a very simple trap a person can make in about 3 minutes with a 2 liter plastic bottle, knife, twist ties and string. Yesterday, I used the trap pictured to catch about 20 mosquito fish in about 5 minutes for my Dad. Use bread for bait. Make sure to submerge the opening in the water so the fish can get to the bait.

Directions for building the trap may be viewed at Bicycle_Canoe_Trailer down on the left side of the page.

The mosquito fish pictured were other fish caught with the trap and then tranported to virginia for a coworker's pond.

 

Is there any concern about non-native species messing with the eco system where you're transferring to?

 

Yes, these are non-natives but have been in the US for quite a while. Here is the location where I transported the fish: County of York - EDS - Mosquito Control Fish Hatchery.

You bring up a good point which isn't a problem here in NC.

Mosquitofish this website provides this quote from California code...interesting since the little fish have been in state almost 100 years?

It is against California Department of Fish and Game regulations for private citizens to plant mosquitofish in waters of the State without a permit. (Title 14 CCR, Fish and Game Code, Section 1.63, Section 6400, and Section 238.5).

Never the less is an abandoned pool "waters of the state"?

I have read some info on the web about concerns with the non-natives impact on native amphibian populations but the overwhelming amount of info I have read indicates that these fish are an accepted means of mosquito control.

Here is a PDF Gambusia Control Homepage which touts the use of natives for mosquito control. The trap I described will catch native minnows also.

 

Oops...deleted double entry.

 

Thanks for the info and links.

 

The banks that now own the properties should be obliged to drain/cover the pools because this is fairly significant human health issue.

I think you're think of the Hantavirus. Which it ain't a nice thing to come down with.

 

ah' thanks yes the hanta virus----had one of those geezer moments----

i hope there will be pressure on the banks to maintain these properties but i unfortunately don't hold out much hope on that one on a long term basis, which i fear this may be.
thanks again
Froley

 

Yeah, it won't be easy, but in the case of the pools it really is a health issue. draining and covering shouldn't cost too much and the maintenance should be minimal. They can just checkin with google earth once every year or so.

 

It was a big controversy last year... they sprayed all over this area. I have to admit that I see much fewer mosquitoes this year, but consequently, I've also noticed many fewer songbirds this year.

 

The whole industry is overwhelmed with the number of foreclosures. The system as it stands is set up to process the inevitable small number of foreclosures that occur with normal operation, not the wholesale flood that is now occurring. Banks don't want to be landlords, they want to lend money. As a result, I suspect the banks will be fairly poor landlords.

Tom

 

The banks have noone to blame but themselves. If they don't want so many bloody properties then they ought to do better due diligence when they invest in home loans. The greedy wankers are getting their due now... Unfortunately, we all pay for it.

 

Google Earth would tell you really quickly in most cases. Probably in 95% of the cases you could determine it. Also, the bank has specs on the house. They usually hire a realtor to try to sell it (foreclosures are quite popular at the moment) so they know if there's a pool or not.

 

Bring back the pillory and this nonsense would end presently.