Airplane mosquito spraying planned for July

Although the weather has not been favorable, the identification and control of mosquito breeding sites (water sources) is successfully underway. Hot Springs County Weed and Pest has treated areas in Kirby, Lucerne, Owl Creek and other areas.

They have started setting up adult traps, to determine areas to be fogged. Fogging operations are based on weather and adult mosquito counts per area surveyed.

In order to mitigate local outbursts of biting mosquito populations, they will start by fogging on the areas that show the highest counts, especially those areas where the mosquito that can transmit the West Nile Virus is found.

Due to this year’s unusual rains and lower than average temperatures registered, the airplane spraying has been postponed, from the last week of June to the month of July.

Several people have already started fogging in their properties. HSC Weed and Pest can provide the chemical and the Ultra Low Volume fogger if needed. The foggers can be used from the back of a pickup truck or ATV. Please email hscwp.district@gmail.com if you are interested in doing your own fogging, to request more information.

You can also apply adulticides according to label instructions to kill mosquitoes inside and outside homes, and larvicides on permanent water sources. Also don’t forget to check your backyard, front yard and garden for containers that can hold water, and empty them after every rain event to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.

For more information about mosquitoes and breeding sites please go to http://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes or email Ana Mosser, HSC Weed & Pest Mosquito Control Supervisor, at hscwp.district@gmail.com.