PARK SANITATION 88 1 



ing out the mosquito. There are several major activities that have to be 

 considered in the elimination of breeding places. Except in the interior of 

 very large park areas, it is obvious that park officials alone cannot be held 

 responsible for the control of the mosquito pest. It is in reality a community 

 affair. A park official might take every step known to be effective and still 

 have swarms of mosquitoes in his parks because of the presence of breeding 

 places just outside of the park boundaries. However, as a part of a com- 

 munity campaign against this pest, it is the duty of park and recreation 

 officials to take every necessary step for control on properties under their 

 jurisdiction. 



Drainage. Wherever possible, water should be eliminated by drainage. 

 This applies to swamps, seepage areas, ponds, ditches, etc. It should be 

 remembered that a good drainage ditch will be as straight as possible, 

 have clean-cut sloping sides and narrow bottom, and should be frequently 

 cleaned and cleared of vegetation. Roadway drainage curbs or ditches are 

 a frequent source of trouble and should be cleaned and graded often. Cul- 

 verts are often silted up at the lower end and provide a shaded pool of 

 water for mosquito production. 



Stream improvement. Mosquitoes have no objection to breeding in 

 running streams, provided .they can get some protection from the current 

 and from fish. Where the stream is overgrown with vegetation or choked 

 with brush, this protection is afforded. It is therefore necessary to keep 

 streams in park areas running freely by frequent cleaning. At times it may 

 be found advantageous to straighten the course of a stream, and where the 

 stream spreads out, construct a channel with boards or stone, and fill behind, 

 eliminating the dangerous grassy edges. However, this method of dealing 

 with streams will often interfere with certain desired landscape effects. 

 Holes that are likely to hold water during dry weather should be filled or 

 drained. 



Artificial containers. A very large percentage of mosquitoes which 

 infest tourist camps, organized camps, picnic grounds, restaurants and other 

 buildings in parks, are raised in artificial water containers which are usually 

 present about the premises. Old wells and cisterns not in use should be 

 filled. Eaves-troughs and rain spouts, if out of repair and choked up, may 

 also furnish suitable breeding places and should be inspected frequently. 

 Septic tank effluents or any accumulation of sewage are favorite breeding 

 places for the variety of mosquito known as the Culex. The tank should 

 be kept well covered to prevent entrance of the female mosquito seeking 

 a nesting place, and the effluent channel must be kept clean and unobstructed 

 and of such grade as to have a good current. If rain barrels are necessary, 

 they should be kept covered with sacking held in place by a hoop. Arti- 



