Mosquito spraying to start this week in Adams Co.

OTHELLO — Manager Tom Haworth has announced that the Adams Count Mosquito Control District will begin its early spring surveillance and larva control operation starting this week.

This is a spray program that is applied throughout the county. It could continue into mid to late October depending on the weather, Haworth said.

The program starts with applications as they are needed and where they are. Once the summer heat comes on, the entire county is treated weekly.

The program uses two biological products, BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and BS (Bacillus sphaericus), a growth regulator called Methoprene and a product called Agnique which is a monomolecular surface film. This product has no water use restrictions.

A paraffinic white mineral oil will also be used on special areas where other products are not effective. All of these products have been used for several years. Any questions regarding the products used or the areas to be checked and or treated, you may call the district office at (509) 488-2661. If no one is at the office, you may leave your name and phone number for a return call or you may send an email to acmcd@qwestoffice.net.

According to Haworth, some adult mosquitoes will come out of hibernation at the sign of warm weather, but many early flying insects are not mosquitoes even though they look like it.

The adulticiding or fogging program will start later and will be done as needed, which will be determined by the district.

To help prevent mosquito bites, Haworth suggested people wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside or changing irrigation water and out in areas where mosquitoes may be abundant and use insect repellant according to the label.

“Mosquitoes are more active at dusk and dawn,” Haworth said. “Since we have had so much rain, citizens can help by checking for any kind of container that could hold water and dump it out and turn it over. Watering troughs and bird baths need to be cleaned weekly also to prevent mosquitoes.”