TO CLOSE

The mosquito season is upon us. Here's what you need to know about the mosquito spray used in Larimer County.
Jacy Marmaduke

Buy a photo

A truck deployed by Larimer County is spraying a mosquito insecticide on the east side of Fort Collins in this photo.(Photo: Austin Humphreys / The Coloradoan)Buy a photo

Fog trucks will this week run a 4-square-mile section of south Fort Collins to kill mosquitoes and reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

The spraying, scheduled for Thursday and Sunday evening, follows the rapid increase in the number of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in the region, said officials from Fort Collins.

The Town and County of Larimer jointly fund this latest spraying cycle, which will take place on Lemay Avenue from Ziegler Road and Drake Road to Harmony Road.

To minimize exposure to the permethrin-based spray, residents and their pets should stay indoors with the doors and windows closed for half an hour to one hour after spraying. You can also cover organic gardens, ponds and water plans with a canvas or tarpaulin.

Trucks will start spraying at dusk and will finish at 2 am on both nights, weather permitting.

More: What's in the mosquito spray? 6 things to know

The city and county decide to spray according to the vector index of the area, a calculation that presents the risk of contracting West Nile virus in this area. The vector index in the spray area is almost double the city's spray threshold and noticeably higher than in other parts of Fort Collins.

Post a map of the spray area and answer common questions about West Nile on fcgov.com/westnile. Companies may request no longer receive spraying on fcgov.com/westnile/optout.php.

Larimer County has identified seven confirmed human cases of West Nile virus this year, which is the largest part of Colorado County.

This will mark the second time that the city of Fort Collins has sprayed mosquitoes. The city sprayed another part of south Fort Collins on August 26th and 29th.

Protect yourself against the West Nile virus with the four D's:

Drain: Mosquitoes breed in water. Empty all stagnant water in your garden every week. Bird baths, clogged gutters and ponds for children are common breeding sites.

Dress up: Wear a light long-sleeved shirt and long pants when you're outside. Spray clothes with an insect repellent, as mosquitoes can get into clothes.

Defend: Apply the insect repellent sparingly on exposed skin. Use an approved repellent according to its label. Find the repellent that's right for you.

Dawn / Twilight: Limit time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active and feeding.

Note: The third D was "Deet", but the city changed it because of existing and effective repellents that do not contain Deet.

Source: City of Fort Collins

Read or share this story: https://noconow.co/2NWm9gg