City starts annual mosquito battle
By Lynsi Musselman
Low rainfall totals in May and a sunny early June has kept the mosquito population away; however, Albany is far from mosquito free.
Albany city employee Davis Bales said he has yet to spray for mosquitoes this season but the fogging machine is calibrated for the year and there is a full drum of chemicals.
“Albany is broken into two sections that we spray, separated by the highway,” Bales said. “The parks and little league field will be sprayed soon, and other areas will be hit on and off depending on the rain.”
Bales explained that mosquito season usually starts in April and continues until the end of October. The chemicals used during these months vary to prevent the adult mosquitoes from developing a resistance to the insecticides.
“The state regulates how much insecticide can be used per acre, and how many times a given acre can be sprayed,” Bales said.
It is important to prevent standing water where possible to help with the control of the mosquito population, he said. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant and fresh standing water.
“Change livestock water and pet water bowls regularly, and keep grass cut low,” Bales said.
He added that tall grass and weeds offer protection to standing water.
“Since mosquitoes do not practice social distancing, the city can spray areas when needed,” Bales said.
Contact the City of Albany at 325-762-3133 for a spray request.
Prevention
According to the Enviromental Protection Agency, there are preventative measures to take to avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites.
Remove mosquito habitats by eliminating any standing or stagnant water sources.
Control adult mosquitoes using insecticides for outdoor areas or apply topical repellent to skin.
Structural barriers, such as covers for baby carriers and properly working doors and screens, can prevent mosquitoes from entering a location.
The EPA suggests wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to keep mosquitoes away from exposed skin.
Bales mentioned that there is a list of plants that naturally repeal mosquitoes.
“Lavender is a plant that will keep mosquitoes away,” he said.
The farmer’s almanac also lists citronella, marigolds, lemon grass, peppermint, garlic, basil, and catnip as having bug repellent reputations.
Mosquito-borne
Viruses
West Nile, Zika, Chikun-gunya and Dengue are four illnesses transmitted by mosquito bites found in Texas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
So far this year, TDSHA has reported one human positive case of Chikungunya and seven human positive cases of Dengue. Counties affected are Bastrop, Collin, Ector, Fort Bend, Harris, and Hays.
Three West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been found in Dallas and Tarrant counties.
Mosquitoes do not only afflict humans. Animals can also be susceptible to mosquito-transmitted diseases and parasites.
The CDC states that prevention is key to warding off bites from infected mosquitoes.
