Cajun mosquito takes biting as competition wins bid

A Houma mosquito controller, who started his business in St. Mary Parish, has been bitten for the third time by losing a contract bid to battle swarms of the insects in rural areas of his home territory.

Cajun Mosquito Control, LLC, owned by Jesse Boudreaux, was hired three years ago to battle mosquitoes parish-wide in Terrebonne, but failed for a third time since 2009 to secure spraying rights in the unincorporated areas of St. Mary Parish.

The company has held contracts with the parish’s three cities n Franklin, Patterson and Morgan City, as well as Cypremort Point, a community that pays an added tax to be sprayed for the pests. Cajun Mosquito Control also holds a contract in Stephensville and unincorporated St. Martin Parish.

The bug bid was lost in a 6-5 vote by the St. Mary Parish Council, with the contract going to Mosquito Control Contractors of New Iberia, owned by Glen Stokes.

“It’s not just in God’s timing yet,” Boudreaux said of his lack of getting the job for a third time.

Boudreaux added that he was still surprised he was not selected, and stated that he has top-of-the-line equipment, and up-to-date insect fighting methods. He also presented letters of reference to the St. Mary Parish Council, before they voted on the contract.

“You’re not comparing apples to apples here, it’s more like apples to oranges,” Boudreaux said to the council.

Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet wrote one of the letters that read in part, “I have had the opportunity to work with Cajun Mosquito Control, LLC, for the last three years and we have found them to be professional, conscientious, and competent.”

Voting for Mosquito Control Contractors of New Iberia for the third time a contract was let were Councilmen Albert Foulcard, Butch Middleton, Logan Fromenthal, Ken Singleton, Butch Metz, and Stephen Bierhorst. Cajun Mosquito Control received nods from Councilmen: Dr. Tim Tregle, Kevin Voisin, David Hanagriff, Glen Hidalgo, and Sterling Fryou. Stokes’ quoted price was $175 per hour, and Boudreaux’s $191 hour. “While these are two fine gentlemen,” Bierhorst said, “this contract doesn’t call for a Cadillac, and I’m here to represent the public, so cost is a big factor.”

Prior to voting, the council heard from parish residents regarding their mosquito concerns.

Virginia Sutton, who lives in the Four Corners area complained about the speed Stokes’ trucks were driven. “If he doesn’t want to come into our neighborhood, just tell us so we can find someone else. But I want you to know that we’re not going to be standing on our driveways shooting his employees as they pass by. We just need them to do a better job,” she said.

Mark Verdun, who lives in Verdunville told the council that mosquitoes have taken over his town.

Ray Manuel who is the St. Mary Parish Ward 2 Justice of the Peace Ray Manuel, said he has previously worked for Stokes and has his own opinion. “What Mr. Boudreaux has for equipment in no way compares to that of Mr. Stokes,” he said.

St. Mary Parish Councilman David Hanagriff accused the system of awarding the contract “flawed” and told the council that to allow Stokes to continue by awarding a contract, “would be an injustice.”

“Stokes uses old chemicals, and he has old equipment dating back to the 60s,” Hanagriff said. “I keep telling you, you get what you pay for. Maybe he uses the up-to-date stuff in Lafayette … [but] there are things about this contract that you don’t know about.”

Councilman Glen Hidalgo voiced concern in the selection. “This throws up a red flag to me,” he said. “How can a contractor be on the payroll for so long, when there are other qualified contractors that can do the job? Just because we have a contract that’s cheaper, doesn’t make it the better one.”

Councilman Kevin Voisin said Stokes offered a low-ball contract price last year, in order to receive the parish’s business. “But we had to shell out more money before the season was up, for spraying to continue,” he said. “Once again, are we just going to give the contract to Stokes again because his fees are lower than Boudreaux’s?”

Parish Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange, said he has been working through 2011 to rectify issues involving the use of better chemicals with Stokes. “This is not a bad contract that we have,” he said.

Stoke rebuked criticism against his business and told the council his equipment is not from the 1960s and that he is working to keep his equipment in check. “Our goal is to make the residents of the parish, satisfied,” he said.

Stokes has been fighting mosquitoes in St. Mary Parish for more than 20 years. Boudreaux wants to find a hole in the net that could offer him an opportunity at the market he seeks.