After the demise of our old mosquito machine, the Town has purchased a new Grizzly cold aerosol ULV mosquito sprayer. Some benefits of this machine compared to our old machine: the Grizzly has a high-performance laminar air flow nozzle that swivels 360 degrees horizontally and 200 degrees vertically. Engine and chemical flow meters and a SmartFlow system that offers a unique level of accuracy and precision.
A main concern for the town is educating residents and protecting them against West Nile Virus, a potentially serious illness spread by mosquitoes. With this in mind, the town has developed a mosquito-control program that will begin this year.
- The program consists of spraying one day a week, as recommended by the chemical type we use, and in accordance with FDA regulations limiting treatments to only 25 applications per year.
- Our product recommends an application 3 days apart, which is why we targeted Wednesday mornings for spraying.
- We will be trapping and reviewing mosquito density and types in various areas around town. This initiative will help us assess the effectiveness of our program as we map and identify breeding areas to enable more precise control of the mosquito population.
- Not limited in application, our larvicide pucks treat ponds and other standing bodies of water throughout the season. Our pucks treat for 180 days.
- While not spraying allows mosquito populations and disease risks to grow, a managed program drastically reduces those risks by neutralizing the insects in their primary habitat.
Why spray for mosquitoes:
We spray for mosquitoes to prevent diseases like West Nile and to keep mosquito numbers low.
Our schedule for spraying:
Our mosquito control program will include spraying every Wednesday morning throughout the summer. We spray in the mornings because mosquitoes are highly active at dawn, and early morning winds are typically the calmest; we are regulated to only spray if winds are 10 mph or less. This routine will ensure the treatment settles effectively while minimizing contact with residents. Please also know that while we anticipate spraying every Wednesday morning, weather conditions may cause this schedule to vary.
Where do we spray:
All areas within town/city limits are treated.
We focus treatments on alleys because dense foliage, standing water, and shaded trash receptacles provide ideal breeding and resting areas for mosquitoes. Treatment locations may vary depending on wind conditions and to prevent mosquito populations from building a resistance to a predictable pattern.
Opt-Out:
Residents can opt-out of having the spray at their home/property by calling Town Hall 307-765-9431. Please know, even if opting out there is a chance you may have some spray drift from neighboring properties.
Bee protection from spraying:
Protecting people and pets while also supporting a healthy bee population is a difficult balancing act. In our best effort to protect the bees from our spray program, we will continue to communicate our spraying schedule and chemical usage to the public and local beekeepers. Communicating and maintaining our spraying within town/city limits will help keep chemicals from affecting the farms and ground where bee hives are, so as to avoid injurious effects on our bee populations as much as possible.
The chemical we spray with at this time:
The chemical compound we are using is Perm-X UL4-4; this controls adult mosquitoes, biting and non-biting midges, black flies, and other outdoor flying insects. This chemical is for use as a ULV thermal or non-thermal aerosol using ground or aerial equipment in areas including: residential areas, recreational areas, parks, campsites, woodlands, athletic fields, golf courses, municipalities, playgrounds, non-crop waste areas and over listed growing crops and range grasses prior to harvest for the control of adult mosquitoes and biting flies within or adjacent to these areas. This product is EPA regulated under No. 89459-47.
Recommended safety precautions during spraying:
As a safety precaution, residents are advised to remain indoors with windows closed when spray vehicles are operating. This will minimize inhalation or skin exposure to the mist.
When do we spray:
Typically, late May to early-mid September.
In addition to spraying:
Larvicide Pucks are used to treat standing water to destroy larvae before they hatch into adults.
What can residents do to help:
Residents can reduce mosquito populations by keeping vegetation trimmed and emptying out any standing water on their property as often as possible. Even a bottle cap with water in it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dress to protect yourself from getting bitten and use repellent.
Ultimately, effective mosquito control is a team effort. By combining strategic town spraying with simple home yard maintenance, we can significantly lower public health risks and enjoy a safer, more comfortable summer.