Adventures in Mosquito Slaying - chapter 1

The following is the ongoing story of a college students view of her not so typical summer job at the Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission. It will be updated periodically throughout the mosquito slaying season to tell the world about the adventures of the biology lab technicians. While it is not always the most desirable job (what job is?), it proves to be interesting to say the least.

Chapter 1- "All in the first three days"

"Instead of coming in at 8 on Monday, we are asking all employees to come in at 7 am, can you do that?" WHAT?? 7 am? I am not even awake at 7 am on days that I have 8 am classes. "Yes, I will be there at 7" I replied. What was I getting myself into?!

The first day started out slowly, doing the basic 'lets get acquainted to the job' type info, but it quickly turned exciting when Bill, the head biologist said we were going to do a little field work. "First, you will need THESE" Bill said, holding up a pair of hip waders..."and they only come in men's sizes." YES!!! After searching for nearly a half hour, the four of us (biology technicians) climbed into the back of a Tahoe,with Bill driving, wearing hip waders that were up to 4 sizes too big and headed off into the unknown. We arrived at our destination after taking a slight detour into the east side of Saginaw. As we got out of the car, Bill explained how we were going to be dipping for mosquito larvae. Excited because of this new skill, we all got to work dipping and collecting samples. "UH ...Bill?" Vanessa said, "Where are you?" I looked up and realized that there was smoke around us that was so thick I couldn't see my hand in front of my face! We were at Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge, and they were in the process of doing a controlled burn! "Okay girls...follow my voice back to the truck and cover your mouth and nose" Bill yelled. we followed him and got the heck out of there, leaving our specimens behind. We drove back to base and called it a day because Bill didn't know what else to do with us. Team -1, Bill -0.

DAY 2-

"Ha!! we wont have to do anything today because of the rain. And, its too cold outside. they probably will send the day crew home" said Vanessa, the only returning technician this year. Well, she was only half right. they did send the day crew home, but since they were gone and flooded woodlots still needed to be checked, the lab techs had to do it. Bill walked in -"Vanessa and Katie, here are your maps. take truck 18. Liz and Beth, here you go. Take truck 4. and you all might want to grab some waders and rain gear on the way out...its a wet one out there. And be back here by noon." WHAT!!! I had NO idea what was going on at all. We had to drive the trucks? I don't know how!! Thankfully Vanessa did!

It turned out that we were going to go to flooded woodlots around Saginaw township and collect samples like we tried to do the day before. This way, we would get our first specimens to study. We braved the wind and the rain, soaked and freezing from head to toe, all morning. Oh the things we do for mosquito's. On our first site we found nothing, but at the second site, we found the scene of a horrible car accident...a three car pileup with twisted metal and tires all over, and even dead bodies buried under the mess. Or at least that was the story we made up about the site. What we REALLY found was 13 tires (three car pileup), crushed tin cans (twisted metal), and animal holes (obviously the places where the bodies were buried!). It was enough to entertain us for the rest of the morning and even spook us a little bit. We preceded through the morning, making up stories about all the different woodlots we visited. When we got back, we reported the second site to Bill, and he actually believed us for a second!! Team-2, Bill-0

The third day was slightly less eventful than the first two, but only because I was all alone all day. I had the wonderful opportunity to drive around the county and check woodlots in peoples yards. After getting the truck stuck twice, getting lost in Fremont township and being chased by dogs, I am exhausted. Oh yeah...and my walkie talkie was dead when I left base.

These first three days were just a tast of what the crew will be experiencing all summer!!

Megan left this morning. She took a full time job in New Orleans for the summer. This means for sure that I HAVE TO go down there again! I hate saying good bye to my best friend. I hope this is not a regular occurance.

Here we are together: Megan, me, Liz, and Tracy at the college retreat.