38 
Psyche 
[March 
MOSQUITO CONTROL IN MASSACHUSETTS 1 
By George S. Tulloch 
Previous to 1929 little attention had been given to the 
control of mosquitoes in Massachusetts. Various munici- 
palities through their local boards of health had inaugu- 
rated campaigns for the control of the common house 
mosquito, Culex pipiens, and in a few instances communi- 
ties along the sea coast had directed some attention to the 
control of the salt marsh mosquito Aedes soliicitans. 
In 1911, through the efforts of a group of citizens of 
Ipswich, on the North Shore of Massachusetts, the ditch- 
ing of a large area of salt marsh practically eliminated 
breeding pools in that particular region. Since the area 
ditched was only a small portion of a large salt marsh, the 
benefit derived was of little value, as the extensive flight 
range of Aedes soliicitans permitted infestation from adja- 
cent areas. However, the permanence and practicability 
of mosquito control by ditching was clearly shown by this 
project, for the ditches are still functioning properly, and 
that section of the marsh is in nearly a non-breeding condi- 
tion after nineteen years of periodical flushing by the high 
course tides. 
In 1929 the State of Massachusetts through its Reclama- 
tion Board took an active interest in the problem of mos- 
quito control. This Board, comprised of three men, acting 
in an advisory capacity, cooperated with various towns in 
the salt marsh areas and suggested control measures. 
Under the State Reclamation Board groups of cities and 
towns are authorized to cooperate by forming a mosquito 
control project directed by commissioners appointed by 
Given before the Entomological Society, of America at the Case School 
of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio, December 30, 1930. 
