No doubt about it, mosquitoes are out!
The dive-bombing pests are biting and bothering people and livestock. Many local governments have enacted programs to combat mosquitoes with spray application of insecticide, but these programs have costs as well as benefits.
Since Spur is among the cities where city works spray for mosquitoes via truck, we asked Mayor Louise Jones this week to clarify details of the City’s program. “If we couldn’t do our own spraying we would have to get the residents’ input on an alternative solution,” Jones said. “If we couldn’t spray we would have to personally buy a lot of Off!”
Jones added, “As long as we can take care of our citizens we will do what we can.”
THE TEXAS SPUR: Can you tell readers what Spur has been doing to control the mosquito problem? What times of year does spraying happen? What pesticide is used, how is it applied, and how frequently does spraying occur?
MAYOR LOUISE JONES: City techs begin spraying Prentox Perm-X insecticide around March or April, but it depends on how much moisture we get. Once or twice a month but again it depends on the weather. We stop around September or October.
How many city blocks does the spraying program cover? What hours is it done? How much time does it take a city worker to complete the rounds
With a good drift one application would cover two blocks. Spraying is done from about 8 pm to about 1 am. It usually takes the techs five to five and a half hours to complete each time. There is no measuring of chemicals coming out—just a knob to adjust how fast or slow the spray is flowing.
How much does the mosquito program cost the city annually? How do residents pay for it? What alternatives are there (especially in other cities), or what might the outcomes be if Spur couldn’t continue its spraying program?
2.5 gallons of the insecticide costs $75.85 each. We use 40 gallons each time. The cost to residents varies because this year we are spraying twice a week instead of twice a month as in some years. Residents pay $24 a year for mosquito spraying. A charge of $2.00 is added to each customer’s water bill each month (throughout the year).
How effective does the mosquito control program seem to be? Do residents report improvements after treatments?
I think it’s effective when we all do our part. There are comments on Facebook, good and bad.
Does the mosquito spray put pets at risk? Should pets be taken inside on spraying nights?
No, the spray does not harm pets. We do, however, post when spraying is taking place so pet owners can take precautions.
What can property owners do to help reduce mosquito problems?
Residents should keep standing water emptied and vegetation cut. Also, remove junk from around their homes that interferes with cutting or weeding.
Thank you for all the helpful information!
We’ve also noted on social media that beekeepers say it’s important to keep insecticide away from colonies. So here’s some additional information from the manufacturer’s website:
With its low odor and ready to use formulation, Prentox® gets rid of common pests in as quick as 30 seconds. Prentox® gets rid of adult mosquitoes, flies and more with no agitation or feeding frenzy effect.
For application, it is recommended as an ultra-love volume (ULV) thermal or nonthermal aerosol (cold fog).
Targeted Pests: Adult mosquitoes, Flies, Black flies, Gnats, Biting and non-biting midges, Other biting flies
Can be used in, Residential, Recreational, Industrial, Urban, Other areas where flying and biting insect pests are found
Key Features: Fast knockdown in 30 seconds, Ready-touse formulation: no mixing, Crop tolerance
Q: Can this be used indoors?
A: No, it is a fogging product for outdoors.
Q: Is this safe to use around pets?
A: Yes, if label directions are followed.
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