QUOTE(westernrvparkowner @ Jun 17 2009, 10:55 PM)

For once, I am going to disagree with Abbygolden and Gilda, I think mosquitos and ants are reasons to downgrade a rating, especially ants. Fire ants (the preferred Texas Ant) can be controlled. It is expensive and somewhat difficult, but it can be done. Mosquitos are somewhat similar, keeping the park area free of standing water can eliminate most mosquitos in certain situations. Spraying and treating standing waters also will put a large dent in the pests population. If the park is in a swampy area, there is nothing the owners could do, but I would surely like to know about the problem and honestly, I couldn't give a high rating to a park if I was blanketed by bugs whenever I stepped outside. It may be out of the control of the park owners, but it is part of the park. I experience a few ratings lower than I would like because of the the hills that must be negotiated to get to my park. (mountain roads are not flat) The hills are unavoidable and not really my fault, but I accept the fact it is part of what people will consider when rating my park.
You DARE to disagree with me and Gilda???!!!??? Our wrath will be upon you! If you don't recant, I will issue a curse on your wifi!
I agree that controlling ants should be the responsibility of the CG owner. Incidentally, far ants (as they are pronounced at home in Texas) didn't originate in Texas, they just migrated from way south of the border. Other than dynamite and flaming gasoline, there isn't much that control them. You can move them from place to place, but I'm convinced they are undefeatable.
Mosquitos, however, I still say aren't NECESSARILY the responsibility of the owner, especially if the CG is anywhere near water. If they try to control them via fumigating (poison), that opens more liabilities than they would bargain for. I'd rather have the mosquitos (as a camper) than have to suck in the fumes put out by a pesticide dispenser coming through the CG. Again, I have no problem with the mention of a pest problem, but when it isn't the owner who causes it I don't think the CG should be downrated numerically.