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The Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control association is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to the advancement of the mosquito and vector
control profession in the Pacific Northwest.
NWMVCA serves the states of Alaska, Idaho,
Montana, Oregon, and Washington; as well as the Canadian Provinces of
Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. There are approximately
200 members in the association with interests ranging from operational
control to university research.
The association had its beginnings in the 1960's
with leadership from vector control district managers such as John
Stoner and John Calicrate of Lane County, Oregon. Later association
leaders included well known AMCA member, Richard Morton and our former
Secretary Treasurer, Doris Splattstoesser of the Benton County
Mosquito Control District in Richland, Washington. Currently, the
NWMVCA business is handled under the direction of Executive Director,
Ron J. Montgomery and President James Henriksen, and various other
officers.
The NWMVCA publishes Vector News, a newsletter
featuring articles of interest to the profession, and matters
concerning association business. This publication is in the able hands
of Editor Greg Barron.
Integrated
Mosquito Management
The Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control
Association supports management of vector populations when and where
necessary by means of an integrated program designed to benefit or to
have minimal adverse effects on people, domestic animals, wildlife and
the environment. This integrated pest management policy recognizes
that vector populations cannot always be eliminated, but often must be
suppressed to tolerable levels for the well being of humans, domestic
animals and wildlife, and that selection of scientifically sound
suppression methods must be based upon consideration of what is
ecologically and economically in the long-term interest of humankind.
The following principles are to be followed:
·· Vector control measures should only be
undertaken when there is adequate justification based upon
surveillance data.
·· The combination of methods for vector
control should be chosen after careful consideration of the efficacy,
health effects, ecological effects and cost versus benefits of the
various options; including public education, legal action, natural and
biological control, elimination of the breeding sources, and pesticide
applications.
·· Vector breeding sources, whether natural or
created by human activity, should be altered in such a manner as to
cause the least undesirable impact on the environment.
·· Pesticides and application methods should be
used in the most efficient and least hazardous manner in accordance
with all applicable laws, regulations and available scientific data.
The registered label requirements for pesticide use should be
followed. When choices are available among effective pesticides, those
offering the least hazard to non-target organisms should be used.
Pesticides should be chosen and used in a manner that will minimize
the development of resistance in vector populations.
·· Personnel involved in the Vector Control program
should be properly trained and supervised, certified in accordance
with relevant laws and regulations, and should keep current with
improvements in management techniques through continuing education
and/or training programs.
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