The Twin Cities is served by one of the foremost mosquito control agencies in North America. It’s called the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. The MMCD serves the 2.9 million people living in an area covering 2,800 square miles in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area. MMCD services include the following: survey for and control mosquitoes that transmit human diseases; monitor deer tick populations and provide public education regarding Lyme and other tick-borne diseases; survey for and control nuisance causing mosquitoes, biting gnats, and mosquitoes that transmit dog heartworm; and perform public education regarding all aspects of District programs, with emphasis on ways to reduce risk of mosquito and tick-borne diseases.
MMCD is governed by a board of 18 elected county commissioners, each representing their respective county boards in setting yearly budgets, developing policy and overseeing District operations. District activities are reviewed for technical competence and environmental safety by a technical advisory board. The board is composed of scientists, representatives from other public agencies, and other technical experts.
MMCD is funded by a small property tax levy, which in 2006, cost the owner of a typical $250,000 home an average of $13.00. In 2006 in Eden Prairie, the MMCD treated 4,387 acres for larval mosquito control and 73 acres for adult mosquito control. They responded to 16 Eden Prairie citizen calls for service, treated three City parks for general mosquito control, and treated 2,553 storm water catch basins.
MMCD has a difficult job to do, but I think they do it very well – and at a very modest price.
