Mosquito breeding season extended due to high temperatures

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF LONGMONT
*************************
Continuing high temperatures are extending the mosquito breeding season this year, including Culex mosquitoes, the breed that transmits West Nile Virus. As a result, the City will spray five local neighborhoods to protect residents from contracting the virus.

In keeping with Longmont’s West Nile Virus control plan, the City’s mosquito control contractor, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), will spray to eradicate mosquitoes on Thursday night, September 9, weather permitting. If necessary due to weather events, fogging will continue on Friday night, September 10. Spraying typically begins around 7 pm and ends at approximately 11 pm.

Five out of 12 regular zones in Longmont will be sprayed this week:

• Jim Hamm (LM-03)
• Sandstone Ranch (LM-22)
• Union Reservoir (LM-23)
• Great Western/Mill Village (LM-27)
• St Vrain Greenway at Emery (LM-28)

Please see the City’s mosquito control zone map for further location details.

Transmission risk to humans is still quite high due to an abundance of Culex mosquito species in some areas. Additionally, residents and HOAs are asked to check their irrigation system settings to avoid overwatering.

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. Boundaries of the predetermined spray areas can be seen on a map provided by the City and VDCI on the West Nile Virus webpage at LongmontColorado.gov/westnile.

When the triggering events occur, notice is provided on this 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. Keep safe this summer, and remember the 4 Ds:

1. Use Deet or an alternative repellant
2. Dress in long sleeves and pants
3. Avoid outdoor activities from Dusk until Dawn
4. Drain standing water, i.e. birdbaths, outdoor planters, tires stored outside, etc.

The City of Longmont has contracted with VDCI to implement an "integrated pest management program" to combat mosquitoes that might carry the West Nile Virus. This program focuses on first attacking mosquitoes in their larval stage before they become airborne. This is the best method since it eliminates mosquitoes before they hatch. This method also minimizes fogging to kill the adult, airborne bugs. However, some localized spraying becomes necessary when the West Nile mosquito population increases due to habitat and weather conditions.

VDCI uses state-of-the-art technology, calibrated application timing, and least-toxic products to minimize non-target impacts. All adult mosquito control is accomplished using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fogging equipment and is performed after dusk when the majority of mosquito species are most active.

VDCI maintains a database of Longmont residents who have provided requests to be notified of spraying and/or requests to not have their address included in the spraying operations.  Residents have three options for requests made to VDCI:

1. Call Notification Only - VDCI will phone you before spraying in your neighborhood.
2. Address Shutoff Only - VDCI will shut off the spray machine while driving past your property.
3. Notification & Shutoff - VDCI will phone you before spraying in your neighborhood and shut off the spray machine while driving past your property.

Please contact VDCI to make a notification or shutoff request by visiting vdci.net/colorado. Those without internet access may call 303-466-1892; however the online request form is the best way to insure that your request is processed in time for the scheduled spraying.

The City also offers an eNotification system that provides residents with up-to-date information on a variety of topics including West Nile Virus. Visit the eNotification subscription page to sign-up and choose the West Nile category to receive notification when Local Spraying Alerts are issued.

*************************