There are no set schedules as to when an area is to be sprayed. Daily inspection data on mosquito population densities gathered from mosquito traps, landing rates and service requests, along with disease surveillance information, help us to set daily spray schedules. These are normally established around 2pm each day and will be posted on the web page. If you are experiencing a mosquito problem you are welcome to call the office and submit a service request.

There are several reasons, all of them somewhat intertwined. First of all sprays utilized today are contact products with little to no residual effect to kill mosquitoes past the time period that they drift through the area. So only those mosquitoes active at the time of spraying will be affected. The next factor is that mosquitoes are capable of moving long distances in a short period of time. Some species can move 20 or more miles in a night. New broods of mosquitoes can move into your neighborhood in a very short time period. Another factor is that here in Louisiana we have a climate and an abundance of habitat conducive to year-round mosquito production. Populations can build back quickly under the proper conditions.

Spray trucks will drive down driveways when the home is 300’ or more off the road. The driveway must be in good condition, hard surfaced and provide an adequate space for the driver to turn around. When a resident requests their driveway be sprayed, someone from the department will check to make sure all these requirements are met. If approved it is placed on the spray map. If at any time the driveway fails to continue meeting the requirements, it is removed from the map.

Once a driver reaches his/her spray zone, the spray motor on the back of the truck stays running the entire time he is traveling. So some of the time the driver could just be moving from one street to the other and not actually spraying. However, when the driver is spraying the top lights should be engaged and a mist seen coming from the sprayer.

Now once spraying begins, drivers can effectively spray between 7-18mph. This range is made possible by trucks being equipped with computerized variable flow metering systems. These systems increase or decrease flow rates based on the speed of travel assuring that the proper amount of spray is being dispensed. Should the driver exceed 18mph, an alarm buzzer sounds in the cab and the metering system stops. These new systems have greatly increased the efficiency of the operation, assuring proper application, as well as saving time and money.

Mosquito control has over 20 part-time drivers. Drivers work from a detailed map with various instructions related to work within each designated zones. Operations begin at dusk on into the night until finished. Drivers are given leeway to make decisions as to the drive ability of any road while on their runs. This is for their safety, as well as the safety of the general public. Due to the fact that these operations are being accomplished at night, in unfamiliar areas and many of these areas poorly lit, human errors will occur. Considering these factors, drivers due an outstanding job of properly covering spray areas.

Here are the most common reasons streets or drives are missed:

Poorly lit area, especially true as it relates to rural roads and driveways
Too Many people outside in the area
Blocked turnaround making safe passage difficult
Driver unfamiliarity with an area
Too many cars parked along a driveway
Suspension of spraying driveways due to prolonged rain events

Mosquito control feels that bats and purple martins should be encouraged and protected, but just do not think they are the answer to mosquito problems. Both will eat mosquitoes but not to the extent advertised. Studies have shown that less than 3% of their diet consists of mosquitoes. Both are opportunistic feeders meaning they will feed on whatever is most abundant and easiest to catch. Therefore, if larger insects are available they are more likely to feed on them first before chasing the much smaller mosquitoes.