The Metropolitan Mosquito Control (MMCD) is actually out already also.  They report that this is 14 days ahead of the typical spring start up.  Surprisingly they actually treat mosquitoes all year around, taking off only October to January.  I can’t imagine how the treat them in February, but they do!  There are 53 permanent employees and 180 seasonal ones.   During the winter they work on setting up plans for the coming season.

The MMCD is funded by property taxes. In 2009, their programs are expected to cost the owner of a typical $250,000 home about $12.25 per year.  They are actually a local government agency that serves the entire metro area and collect property taxes via a special taxing district within their service area.

The choppers will be in the air this week and they will begin to spray the area around Lake Minnetonka Homes.  Initially they are treating 1000 acres in Southern Hennepin County in the cities of:  Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Medina, Orono, Shorewood, Maple Plain, Minnetrista, Mound, Eden Prairie and Woodland.   The helicopters fly about 50 feet above the ground to release a dry, grain like poison that kills mosquitoes in their larva state.  The poison does not kill or affect adult mosquitoes.    It is simply to kill them off before they can fly.

Areas around Lake Minnetonka homes get extra attention because of the large expanses of wetlands and marshy areas that are perfect breading grounds for the little nasties.  The dry weather this year has kept the population down so far.  But lots of rain in a short period of time, plus warm temperatures, can change that quickly as it generally means more mosquitoes.

Since its construction, the Pillsbury Mansion has not only housed the Pillsbury family, but played hosts to Presidents and other dignitaries. The entire estate, situated on 13 acres of Brackett’s point on Lake Minnetonka, consists of seven structures total. A caretaker’s cottage, garage, tea house, pool house make up some of the buildings linked by covered passageways. Its wine cellar alone can hold up to 15,000 bottles of wine. Worth multiple tens of millions of dollars, the Pillsbury Mansion itself was owned and occupied by the Pillsbury family until 1991, when 104-year-old Eleanor Pillsbury passed away. At that time, the mansion was sold to a co-owner of the Vikings football team.

The Pillsbury Mansion has nine bedrooms, each with stunning detail such as carved moldings and fireplaces. The exquisite tile work is unequaled. The outdoor pool are boasts a priceless view of Lake Minnetonka. Lavish gardens also make up the estate, and includes a unique giant outdoor chess set. The manicured gardens offer private sitting areas with lake front views and testify to the luxurious lifestyle of times long ago, when well-to-do families employed gardeners whose sole purpose was to maintain sprawling gardens and an atmosphere of beauty. Southways recalls days long gone, experienced by few, those families living in the ultimate luxury, and literally sparing no expense to keep themselves comfortable and entertained.

It is truly a Lake Minnetonka real estate treasure and icon.