[Online Extra] Mosquito and Termite Control Board Hanging On

Although the City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board is beaten up, they’re not down for the count.

Ed Bordes, the board’s director, told PCT that every day is better than the last. “Everything is moving very quickly and things are looking better each day,” he said. “We are thankful for the help and look forward to day that we are back home and taking care of ourselves.”

Fortunately, all members of the staff evacuated and survived. But the board has five facilities and one hangar and all were damaged except the main laboratory. “Most of our equipment is pretty much toast, as well as files and computers,” said Ed Freytag, a Mosquito and Termite Control Board senior entomologist.

“We are trying to organize a mosquito crew, but will be very limited to what we can do with termites,” Freytag added.