Once in a while, the software vendor who provides our local area MLS uses a popup window to provide Relators and others using the MLS software with what they think is critical information. The info is rarely interesting but usually useful. Today it was both.
It’s probably no surprise that green pools are becoming a hazard around the Valley. The number of foreclosures, lender-owned, and otherwise uncared for vacant homes with icky pools is growing. Green pools are breeding grounds for mosquitos, which are carriers of the West Nile Virus.
Maricopa County Vector Conrol (I’d have thought it was Pest Control or even Animal Control, but it seems not) has a hotline for information. Plus they have mosquito eating fish to stock your neighborhood green pool with. From the press release:
“Drain the pools or use mosquito eating fish at foreclosed homes and help Maricopa County “Fight the Bite”. Standing water attracts mosquitoes, and non-operational decorative ponds and “green pools” can dangerously become potential mosquito breeding grounds. This year, Maricopa County recorded it’s first confirmed case of West Nile Virus in a human in March. That was the first identified case in the nation for 2008. Contact the Maricopa County Vector Control office to pick up Gambusia fish, a door hanger and fence sign stating the pool has been treated with mosquito eating fish. Then report the treated pool to the County. For assistance or more information on West Nile Virus, please contact Vector Control at 602-506-0701 or visit Maricopa County’s West Nile Virus website.”
However, see also this website, which claims that Gambusia fish are a nuisance in their own right. Me? I’m worried about fishies “breathing” chlorinated water. Hope Vector Control has thought of that. By the way, I’m also concerned about the County’s press release writer. I edited the paragraph for run-on sentences, mis-used commas, and noun-verb disagreement before posting it. But then again, I’m weird like that.
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Heather Barr is a Realtor. She's a chow hound, a gym rat, and the only political junkie in the USA who can actually keep her political views to herself. Instead, she focuses on educating her clients about the often-confusing world of residential real estate.
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A nice oil slick will do the trick. As a Texan, I encourage any use of Texas Tea. For the earth friendly, Vegetable oil will work. If you want to stage that green pool, try cinnamon oil to add that fresh baked aroma.
Maybe the Vector people should be issuing citations to owners, including the banks, that maintain a public nuisance and health hazard.
Horses are quite susceptible to Nile Virus and it can be fatal. A nile virus vaccination is cheap insurance against the heartbreak of losing a beloved horse.
Fear not for the little fishes in chlorine. A pool goes green because it has no chlorine.
I do worry about the little fellas getting cooked in the summertime. My pool water temp can hit 90 degrees. That’s enough to bake even hardy tropical fish.
Plus the little guys are doomed once someone either drains the pool, or dumps enough chlorine in it to “ungreen” it…
I say fight the mosquito larva through better chemistry — use these: http://www.marchbiological.com/L/mosquito_control.html