A natural pest control program at the historic Manor of St. George has dramatically decreased the tick and mosquito population on the 127-acre Mastic estate.
The effort was bolstered by the recent release of 150 pheasants which are flourishing among the manor’s fields and woodland. The birds, along with a native turkey population, have been cleaning out the ticks, while overhead, purple martins, nesting in unique houses provided for them, take care of the mosquitoes.
“These natural forms of insect control are highly effective,” said John Scott Prudenti, a representative of the Manor’s trust, who noted that pesticides haven’t been used on the property since the 1940s. “With the concerns surrounding Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses, as well as West Nile from mosquitoes, we’re grateful for the job these birds are doing.” The pheasants came by way of the Reynolds Farm in upstate Ithaca and, according to Prudenti, live entirely off the land without any supplemental food.
By not using harmful insecticides at the waterfront property, the Manor also boasts a significant dragonfly population, which is also deadly to mosquitoes and other flying pests such as flies. “Anyone who’s been down to our local beaches knows about greenflies, blackflies, and other biting pests. We get rid of them naturally here at the Manor,” caretaker Bob DeVito pointed out.
The Manor of St. George is one of Long Island’s historic gems, having played a role in the founding of America. Built by one of Brookhaven Town’s earliest settlers, Col. William Tangier Smith, the estate became Fort St. George after the British captured it during the Revolutionary War. A militia headed by Col. Benjamin Tallmadge took it back in 1780 and, during his return to Connecticut, stopped off in Coram to famously burn a huge supply of hay stored for the British Cavalry.
Two canons from the War of 1812 still peering from the property toward Bellport Bay highlight the manor's military importance. During World War I, it served as a center for recreational activities for Army soldiers stationed at Camp Upton in Yaphank and those assigned to an airfield located south of the manor house.
“Now patrolling the area are a legion of birds and dragonflies,” said Prudenti, who is working with local organizations to reduce the area’s feral cat population through spay and neutering efforts. “The birds do have natural enemies such as foxes, hawks, and owls, but we want to cut down on the other factors that threaten this beneficial population.”
The Manor grounds and its local history museum, open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, attract thousands of visitors each year. It will be closed for the year in November and reopen in May.