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Why the bugs are back along the Sloan Flood Channel

CREATED Oct. 5, 2012

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  • You Ask. We Investigate. Update: Why the bugs are back along the Sloan Flood Channel Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The bug problem along the Sloan Flood Channel seemed to be improving until this week. Neighbors want to know why.

Sloan Flood Channel neighbors thought they were getting rid of their bug problem once Clark County and North Las Vegas started cleaning the channel every week.

Turns out, the clean-up hasn't been going exactly as planned.

Gnat-like insects called "midges", and spiders, fill webs in the chain link fences along the Sloan Flood Channel.

The county's top bug guy, Vector Control Supervisor Christopher Bramley says this an improvement.

Swarms of midges used to fly over the treated waste water North Las Vegas started flushing from it's new plant into the flood channel more than a year ago.

Bramley tells Action News, "I'm here at five-thirty in the morning. I'm here between six and nine at night. I've basically lived in this project since last July."

Cinda LeBaron says, "Chris doesn't live here. Chris; these guys aren't living through what we're living through."

LeBaron says midges are still a big problem, even though Clark County and North Las Vegas crews clear bug-breeding algae out of the Sloan Flood Channel every day.

She says midges fog up her glasses. She's got them in her trees. She won't let her grand kids play in her yard.

LeBaron tells Action News, "You've got bugs in your food. You've got bugs in your glasses of water. It's just 24-hour bugs."

So why are the bugs back?

Bramley says, "Everything was going well, and then those two storms hit."

Plus, Bramley adds, some equipment broke down, but he says the County and North Las Vegas are working hard to make up for the days they couldn't clean the channel.

Bramley tells Action News, "I mean, we apologize to the residents you know. It's a nightmare for them."

LeBaron just wants the bugs to stay away. She tells Action News, "I am just so fed up with it. I mean, it drives you insane. Absolutely insane."

Clark County and North Las Vegas are due to go to court over the flood channel in January. Action News will continue to investigate complaints and bring you the latest updates.

In the meantime, Christopher Bramley says he personally patrols the channel and is always available to any neighbor who wants to talk to him about bugs; call (702) 455-6000.