A rise in the number of West Nile-transmitting Culex mosquitoes is prompting the city of Longmont to begin an enhanced spraying plan to protect local residents. The city’s mosquito control contractor — Vector Disease Control — will spray to eradicate mosquitoes tonight, Aug. 11, and Thursday night, Aug. 12.
If weather conditions allow, fogging will continue Friday night, Aug. 13, according to a city of Longmont news release. Some areas will get enhanced spraying measures due to especially high Culex mosquito counts, the news release states.
Crews this week found ten traps above the acceptable limits in mosquito counts, the news release said.
Ten out of twelve zones in Longmont will be sprayed this week:
- Jim Hamm
- Garden Acres Park
- Sandstone Ranch
- Union Reservoir
- Great Western/Mill Village
- St. Vrain Greenway at Emery St.
- Left Hand Creek at Creekside
- Renaissance/Meadow View
- Izaak Walton Park
- Rough & Ready South
In addition, four out of 16 enhanced zones in Longmont will be sprayed this week: SW-2N, SW-2S, E3, E-1E, according to the news release.
Residents can also refer to mosquito control zones and enhanced spraying maps ffor further location details.
The presence of Culex species continues to be at historic highs, the news release states. Transmission risk to humans is also high, especially as hot temperatures and precipitation continues to be above normal.
Longmont fogging is triggered when West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes are discovered in Larimer, Boulder or Weld Counties and when Longmont traps exceed 150 mosquitoes per trap, the news release states. When the triggering events occur, notice is provided on the city of Longmont’s webpage on Tuesdays that spraying will occur later that week - typically on Thursday evenings - giving residents 48 hours’ notice of any spraying.
Boulder County Public Health and Longmont officials urge residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites. The four important steps are:
- Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or alternative.
- Dress in light colors and loose fitting long sleeves and pants.
- Avoid the outdoors from dusk until dawn.
- Drain standing water outside your home.
