The City's "One-Two" Punch for Mosquito Control
The Street/Drainage Division approaches mosquito control with a "one-two" punch. Utilizing both larvacide and spraying combines for the most efficient mosquito control.
The City’s larvacide program is our best defense against mosquitoes. The Environmental Protection Agency-approved Altosid briquets are used in treating open ditches within the rights-of-way and storm sewer system; these are areas of standing water which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The Altosid briquets are effective for 30 days--providing that we do not receive heavy rains which wash away the chemical from the targeted application area. The larvacide application kills the mosquito larvae. The application of the larvacide is performed under the supervision of the City's Certified Pesticide Applicators License; the applications begin in the spring and run into the fall.
The second part of the "one-two" punch is the application of the EPA-approved Scourge which is effective for approximately 30 minutes and for a distance of up to 300 feet from the street, depending upon weather conditions. The vehicle-mounted units spray the street rights-of-way throughout the entire City to help reduce the adult mosquito population. The application of the Scourge aerosol is administered by the City's licensed contractor.
Home and business owners can contribute enormously to “knocking out” mosquitoes by following the suggestions below.
Tips for Dealing with Mosquitos
Dump water from flowerpots, tires, birdbaths and plastic swimming pools
Clean gutters of debris and standing water
Repair leaky plumbing and outside faucets
Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito eating fish
Don't wash lawn clippings into storm sewers
Drain water from tree holes and stumps or fill them with mortar
Mosquito Facts
All mosquitoes must have water to develop
Most prefer slow-moving or stagnant water in which to lay their eggs
One tablespoon of water will breed over 200 mosquitoes
During warm weather, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in 4 days
Only the female mosquito bites because she needs a blood meal to produce viable eggs
The itching of the mosquito "bite" is caused by a small amount of saliva that the female injects to prevent the blood from clotting