September 28, 2000 His Job Is Being Mosquito Bait
Maybe you missed the wire story about the Glynn County, Ga., Mosquito Control Department. The coastal county hires six part-time employees to drive to lowlying areas, stand outside for 60 seconds and, for $8.37 an hour, count how many mosquitoes try to bite them. The idea is to get a fix on the density of the blood-suckers in problem areas and set priorities for spraying. One of these folks is 22-year-old David McDonald. I got hold of him the other afternoon after his blood supply had clocked out for the day. Gee, David, what a lousy way to make a living. “It’s not so bad. I get to be outside a lot.” But so do the mosquitoes. “Yes, sir, and they’ll sure bite you, all right.” What’s your personal record for a minute? “Around 100.” Do you just let the things have their way with you, or are you permitted to swat them off ? “The department wants to get a good count, so you’re supposed to stand there and go 1, 2, 3, 4. Sometimes I pop ‘em, though. I ain’t gonna lie about it.” Just guessing, David, but I’ll bet time stands still while you’re holding forth in a swampy, high-thorax district. “Yes, sir, when they’re swarming, you do get a little anxious.” Do you swell up? “Not all that much. I rub myself down with alcohol every night when I get home. That seems to help.” This is your second year. Have you picked up any tricks of the trade? “I can’t say that there are any tricks. You just wait until the minute is over so you can go somewhere else.” You’re certainly not making much money for being a fleshy dessert. Must be a heck of a benefits package. Right, David? Garret Mathews
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