Carl Doud, Midland County Director of Mosquito Control, captures how the Promist Dura electric fogger units help mitigate pest populations across the county. 

MIDLAND — Yes, Mosquito Control has visited your route recently.

No, you just didn't hear the fog units. And that's a good thing.

Midland County Mosquito Control has three battery-powered fogging units that only reach up to 80 decibels. By comparison, an operator of a gas-powered unit is likely wearing ear-protection outside of the vehicle. This difference has caused many residents to wonder whether or not Mosquito Control made a routine visit.

Midland County's Director of Mosquito Control Dr. Carl Doud explained how an electric spraying method has introduced a new model and experience for residents. Midland County observed the electric fogging models in Bay County, which was one of the first in the nation to adopt the electric spraying method in 2014.

"These electrics just have a whine to 'em," he said. "It's got a spinning ceramic sleeve that goes up to about 28,000 RPM (revolutions per minute) so it spins very, very fast. When that's up, it's got a hum to it that is not even louder than the sound of the vehicle running. It's very nice in that regard."

Because gas-powered foggers are quite noisy, residents have become accustomed to the noise being an association with a visit from Mosquito Control. Doud said operators of gas-powered foggers must wear hearing-protection outside of the vehicle. 

Manager Rebecca Brandt of Bay County's Mosquito Control said Midland's regional neighbors have asked a similar type of questions since adding electric foggers to its total vehicle fleet. Despite the increase in calls, Doud and Brandt both told the Daily News of plans to purchase another electric fogger next year.

Midland County Mosquito Control shares an example of nighttime routes, where operations are tracked as trucks progress through the County of Midland. 

Director of Mosquito Control Dr. Carl Doud said the electric foggers help disperse material in a fine mist that stays aloft in the air for a period of time to contact active, or flying, mosquitoes. 

"That's why we operate in the evenings and not all throughout the day because the majority of mosquitoes are active in the evening," he said.

Midland County operates until 11:30 p.m. Adulticiding involves the application of products to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes and protect you from mosquito-borne disease. Visit Midland County's GIS Map for more information.

Manager Rebecca Brant said even with our gas-powered machines, Mosquito Control will sneak up on the property owners. 

"People don't hear us, or notice us go by, because (it is) so late at night," she said. "Anywhere from 9 p.m. until one in the morning."

Brandt said she likes the hushed feature, but one of the main perks is less maintenance overall with the electric machines. Plus, she said the carbon footprint has reduced.

Depending on the time of year, Brandt said more residents call with presence of rain, which likely means, more pests.

In addition, the insecticide doesn't work below 59 degrees. As an effort to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars, Administrator/Controller Bridgette Gransden said the foggers are turned off if the temperatures are below the threshold and technicians go back to the shop.

Currently in Midland County, 3 units of 11 total units are electric. Bay County has 15 total units, with 4 electric foggers. 

Mosquitoes collected in the Bay County area recently tested positive for the Jamestown Canyon Virus. These are the first infected mosquito pools of 2022 in Michigan. Over Fourth of July weekend, Mosquito Control of Bay County reminds regional residents to spray bug-spray in an effort of public health.

"Mosquitoes aren't just a nuisance," Brandt said. "Mosquitoes do have the potential to spread viruses."

Gransden confirmed public health is also a priority of Midland County. 

Residents with questions can contact Midland County Mosquito Control at (989) 832-8677. For more on Mosquito Control abatement methods and routes, visit www.co.midland.mi.us/MosquitoControl.aspx

Tess DeGayner is a reporter for the Midland Daily News. She joined the Daily News after studying journalism and broadcasting at Central Michigan University. DeGayner graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2021. She previously reported for WCMU Public Radio, the Traverse City Record-Eagle and the Tri-County Times - her hometown newspaper in Fenton, Michigan.