Question: Our neighborhood is swarming with mosquitoes at dusk. Are there ways to control mosquito populations besides eliminating standing water? Does the city spray for mosquitoes on Greenlawn Drive in Lexington?

Answer: Kevin Hall, media contact with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, says that Greenlawn Drive isn’t part of the sprayed area and the closest road being sprayed is Wilson Downing. But, since this is only one block over, the Greenlawn Drive area would be protected from mosquitoes.

Also, if a part of town is having a lot of mosquitoes, a person can call and an inspector will come out. The area will be sprayed if the inspector thinks spraying is warranted.

To report a standing water problem in your neighborhood, call the Division of Environmental Health and Protection at (859) 231-9791.

A map of the city spraying area can be found at:

http://www.lexingtonhealthdepartment.org/templateall.asp?id=541

The city health department lists the June spraying schedule on its Web site plus tips for controlling mosquitoes and how to keep from being bitten:

http://www.lfucg.com/news_releases/08may/spraying080530.pdf

* For spraying to be held, the wind speed must be less than 10 mph, the temperature must be greater than 55 degrees F and there can be no rain or dense fog.

* Be aware of peak mosquito activity times. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times. Use insect repellent when outdoors especially during peak biting times, including early morning hours. Look for EPA-labeled repellants containing active ingredients, such as DEET, Picaridin (KBR3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol). Apply repellent according to label instructions. When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent helps prevent bites.

● Mosquito-proof your home and yard. Fix or install window and door screens. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Cover or eliminate empty containers with standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items such as tires, buckets, barrels and cans. Refresh the water in your pet’s water dishes and birdbaths at least every five to seven days.

*The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department also conducts surveys in neighborhoods around Lexington to identify standing water problems that can serve as a location for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Elimination of standing water is the ultimate goal, but in areas where standing water cannot be eliminated the water can be treated to kill mosquito larvae with a chemical called a larvicide. The mosquito spray used by the health department only affects the mosquitoes that are in the air at the time of spraying.

And, the U.S. EPA Web site also has good tips on controlling mosquitoes:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/mosquito.htm

What you can do to control mosquitoes around the home:

1. Remove their habitat (where they live and breed)
* Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
*Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
*Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
*Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.

2. Prevent your exposure to mosquitoes
*Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely.
*Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations, such as salt marshes.
*If there is a mosquito-borne disease warning in effect, stay inside during the evening when mosquitoes are active.
*Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.”
*Replace your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights which tend to attract less mosquitoes than ordinary lights. The yellow lights are NOT repellents, however.

Linda Niemi

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