Ask the City: Mosquito Fogging
Question:
Can we quit with the mosquito spraying? They are gone...now you are just jeopardizing the bugs that we need.
Answer:
Although overall mosquito numbers are down from the peak reached in early July, the population of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes continues to be high. These mosquitoes are of higher concern because they are the vector of West Nile virus in our area. In addition to being in larger numbers they also are in a greater proportion of the total population in late summer.
We have utilized our larval control team on multiple occasions (weekly) in the last month to do a concentrated survey and treat any sources around AG Farm and continue to fog the AG Farm / Paradise area 3 times weekly to help control this high population. Traps at Cottonwood estates and on Riverside and Cleveland in West Laramie are also well above average for Culex tarsalis abundance and often Culex tarsalis make up over 50% of the catch.
Our greatest concern at this time is the risk that these high numbers of vector mosquitoes present should WNv become active in our region. The most dangerous mosquito is an old mosquito because she has lived long enough to take multiple blood meals from different hosts and therefore is likely to be able to transmit pathogens that have been acquired from those hosts. Fogging eliminates ”old mosquitoes” from the population.
Cool temperatures we experienced in the overnight hours the last two weeks are helping to slow any virus replication that would be ongoing in infected mosquitoes. A warm up in the temperatures could spur a higher risk of infection.
Currently we are fogging all of West Laramie due to the high trap counts in that portion of the City. The remainder of the City is being treated at the perimeters ( within 2-6 blocks ) of the rural / urban interface where the greatest risk of migration of Culex tarsalis is likely. These perimeter areas have also shown higher Culex tarsalis abundance. Parks, recreation areas and the greenbelt trail are being treated approximately 2-3 times weekly.
Please call Mosquito Control at 307-721-5258 for additional information.
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