In Memoriam: Ed Bordes

NEW ORLEANS - Ed Bordes, longtime leader of the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board, passed away on Oct. 9. He was 83.

A New Orleans native, Bordes earned a bachelor’s in entomology and zoology from Louisiana State University and a master’s in public health from Tulane University. 

Following stints working for pesticide manufacturers and a pest control business, in 1986 Bordes became the chief administrator for the New Orleans Mosquito Control Board. During his tenure he was the city’s termite "czar" as a principal cooperator in the USDA’s Operation Full Stop, the historic area’s aggressive termite management program.

Bordes implemented many changes throughout the years that improved the offerings and services the board provided. He continued to build on the progress made by the board’s first director, George Carmichael, building an internationally recognized program. 

“Ed always looked ahead to see what the needs were to ensure survival of the program as well as expanding the services locally to the residents of New Orleans and beyond,” said Claudia Riegel, current director of the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board (related: watch Riegel's interview with Bordes).

Bordes was an entrepreneur who looked for opportunities for funding and expanding the program. This led to a culture of partnerships and collaboration. Obtaining federal, state and private grants allowed for researchers to conduct groundbreaking research at the City of New Orleans. International visitors both government officials and researchers were common. In 1998, rodent control was transferred from the New Orleans Health Department to Mosquito Control. By this time, the termite program had also been created. The organization was then renamed to the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB). 

Bordes developed the intellectual property ordinance at the city of New Orleans. The development of the tamper-resistant termite bait covers provided a way to install termite baits through concrete. Riegel said that if you walk in the French Quarter today, thousands of port covers line the streets allowing for a means to install termite baits in areas without exposed soil. The port covers are sold worldwide.

During 60 years of service, he was involved in many epidemics and disasters; hurricanes Betsy, Camille, and Katrina were the most notable. He also conducted mosquito control for epidemics of St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. In the early 1970s he was involved stemming an outbreak of murine typhus along the Mississippi riverfront. He regularly shared his experiences NOMTRCB staff so that he could transfer his knowledge to the next generation 

Bordes established Operation Full Stop in collaboration with the USDA-ARS in New Orleans from 1998 to 2012. This project brought millions of dollars to New Orleans to protect the French Quarter from Coptotermes formosanus, the Formosan subterranean termite. The project allowed for the development new tools for termite detection, improved awareness and most importantly installation of treatments that still protect the historic buildings of the French Quarter until today.    

Upon retiring as director in 2008, he remained employed part-time, contributing to many projects that allowed the department to grow and improve. He assisted with construction of the new NOMTRCB administration building and renovation of the NOMTRCB hanger. He obtained hazard mitigation grants and most recently, he was instrumental in selection of the new helicopter that is currently being built for mosquito abatement. 

Ed is survived by wife Margaret Merlene Bordes and the couple’s two children.

Visitation will be held on Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home (5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124). A memorial service will be held on Oct. 20, at noon, at the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home (5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124).

Donations can be made in Bordes’ name to St. Jude’s Research Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Edgar's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, http://www.stjude.org, P. O. Box 50, Memphis, TN. 38101-9929.