City Begins Mosquito Spraying Program
Alexandria, La. (July 1, 2019) — Workers with the City of Alexandria Public Works Department will begin spraying for mosquito control starting today. Crews will spray different zones in the city two nights per week, with the complete city covered every two weeks.
The spraying program will target both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitos. During the day, bodies of water will be treated with larvicide, which prevents hatching of mosquitos. Adult mosquitos will be targeted in the nightly sprayings between 6:30 and 10 p.m. “Spraying the contact insecticide precisely at this time is when mosquitos are most exposed and treatment is highly effective,” explained Public Works Director Merriell F. Lawson, adding licensed Streets Department personnel will be performing these treatments.
Areas to be sprayed the first week include Martin Park, Greenway Park, the Lake District, Grundy Cooper, the Johnny Downs Sports Complex and surrounding areas, the downtown area and areas between I-49 and the Red River including Acadian Village, Samtown and the Woodside neighborhoods. The remainder of the city will be covered the week of July 8. Crews will then repeat their spraying cycles through the summer. Ballparks and city parks will also be sprayed each Thursday night (weather permitting).
“Mosquitoes pose a serious health risk, especially West Nile disease,” Lawson said. “The city is doing its part to help control the mosquito population. We need residents to do their part to help by eliminating points of standing water on their property and other known mosquito breeding grounds.”
According to Dr. David Holcombe, Regional Administrator and Medical Director at Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health, abatement programs can help prevent the spread of diseases by mosquitoes. “Everybody talks about West Nile and Zika, but mosquitos also spread heartworm in dogs and cats,” Holcombe said. “So spraying is a good thing for pets and people.”
Residents can help manage mosquitoes by using the following tips:
• Wear repellant – mosquito activity tends to increase around sunset and sunrise. If you cannot avoid going outside at these times, you can wear long sleeve shirts, pants and closed-toe shoes and use repellent on exposed skin. Read the product label carefully.
• Drain standing water – mosquito larvae can live in less than an ounce of water. Empty containers with standing water at least once a week.
• Manage vegetation – trim grass on your lawn as well as around any ditches as vegetation tends to harbor mosquitoes.
Map caption: This map shows the eight spraying zones for the City of Alexandria. Workers cover two zones each night they spray, going in order starting with Zone 1. Workers spray four zones per week, covering the entire city every two weeks.
Contact:
Jim Smilie
Communications
318.449.5038
318.730.1683
jim.smilie@cityofalex.com
