Spraying for mosquitoes will take place in seven “hotspot zones” in Longmont on Thursday night.
The spraying, which the city announced in a Tuesday news release, will take place in the following areas, weather permitting:
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Jim Hamm Park
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Union Reservoir
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Great Western/Mill Village
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Left Hand Creek at Creekside
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Longmont Meadow View
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Stoney Ridge/ Alpine Elementary
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Rough & Ready South
A map of the boundaries of predetermined spray areas is available on the West Nile Virus webpage at LongmontColorado.gov/westnile.
Spraying is conducted when the number of mosquitos in traps exceeds 150 count and when West Nile virus has been detected in the Longmont area, according to the city.
Spraying, which is conducted by Vector Disease Control International, typically occurs on Thursday nights. Notice of spraying will be posted Tuesdays at LongmontColorado.gov/westnile, according to the city. Residents also can sign up to be alerted when spraying will take place by using the city’s eNotification subscription page.
The city’s first line of defense in its integrated pest management program is attacking mosquitoes in their larval stage before they become airborne, according to the release. Eliminating mosquitoes before they hatch minimizes the need for fogging, but localized spraying is sometimes necessary when the West Nile mosquito population increases because of habitat and weather conditions, according to the city.
VDCI uses ultra-low volume fogging equipment and sprays after dusk when the majority of mosquito species are most active, according to the news release. Use of the least-toxic products possible and calibrated application timing aim to minimize non-target impacts of spraying, the city stated.
Residents can request notifications and shutoffs when spraying is planned near their properties by calling VDCI at 970-278-9977 or visiting vdci.net/colorado. Three options are available: To receive a call before spraying takes place; to have the spray machine shut off when it passes their property, or to receive notification and have the machine shut off as it passes.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of infected female mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most infections are mild, but more serious infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining).
There is no treatment, cure or vaccination for the virus.
