Aerial Mosquito Control Spray Planned
The City of Laramie Mosquito Control has scheduled the aerial application of Dibrom for control of adult mosquitoes in rural areas adjacent to the City for Friday July 26th, 2024, starting around 6:30 pm. Backup dates have been set for Saturday the 27th through Monday the 29th if weather conditions arise delaying the application. This application is targeted to control both nuisance and vector mosquitoes, including Culex tarsalis, which can that transmit West Nile virus (WNV).
Currently, we have low vector mosquito numbers in city limits but are increasing in rural areas. Migration of these vector mosquitoes into city limits is likely if left uncontrolled. The planned application will be conducted during the evening hours, but backup applications due to initial weather delays could take place up to two hours before sunset or two hours after sunrise to coordinate with the peak of mosquito activity and to reduce the likelihood of contact with citizen’s work and recreational activities.
Three areas are scheduled for treatment: Southwest of the city limits along Highway 230 and the Big Laramie River drainage from the city limits southwest approximately 10 miles; West of the city limits between the Big Laramie River on the South, Interstate 80 on the North and the Laramie Regional Airport on the West; the third area is north of the city limits between Welsh Lane and 45th Street including the area of the city wastewater treatment plant and the city landfill.
Dibrom will be applied at the ultra-low-volume rate of 1/2 ounce per acre. Currently, Mosquito Control personnel have tested five pools of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes for West Nile virus with two of those testing positive. Due to low numbers of vector mosquitoes and two positive mosquito samples, the West Nile virus risk level remains at Level 1 (LOW Human Risk).
Schedules and hotline information regarding chemical applications on city owned properties are updated daily by 4:00 p.m. Call 721-5056 or visit the Mosquito and Chemical Application Website at www.cityoflaramie.org/mosquito. For more information contact Hunter Deerman Mosquito/IPM Supervisor at hdeerman@cityoflaramie.org; 721-5258 or Scott Hunter, Parks Manager at shunter@cityoflaramie.org; 721-5257.