No. Treatments decisions are made in direct response to data collected on mosquito development. Each week, we set traps, take landing rates and perform larval inspections to monitor mosquito populations. Treatments occur only when mosquito numbers or disease risk reach thresholds for treatment.

Yes. The products we use are approved by the EPA and undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe for people and pets. Our treatments are applied at extremely low concentrations specifically designed to target mosquitoes and we strictly follow label guidelines. We use non-residual treatments, so that nothing remains on surfaces in the morning. Our applications are only applied at night when the beneficial insects are away for the night.

Not always. Treatments may occur when:

• When mosquito populations are excessively high, or
• When the laboratory has detected mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, or St. Louis encephalitis.

Each year, we reevaluate our Integrated Mosquito Management Plan which includes thresholds for spray treatments. Each data point has its own threshold: landing rates, number of mosquitoes that are capable of spreading disease, number of nuisance mosquitoes, virus test results, resident complaints and other important considerations.

The primary treatment we use is called Bti, or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, a natural, soil-borne bacteria, it is safe for organic farming and only impacts mosquitoes, black flies, and midges.

Good question – they are only treating when conditions are appropriate and when the water sources actually contain mosquito larvae. If no larvae are present or environmental conditions are unsuitable, they skip over the ditch. Our biologists are continuously inspecting these ditches for mosquito activity.

In accordance with recommendations from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, our agency maintains a financial reserve equal to roughly one-third of a year’s operating budget. The LLA recommends that public agencies keep some funds available in reserve to ensure uninterrupted services in the event of a hurricane or other emergencies.

Mosquito females are attracted to a number of elements: carbon dioxide, skin bacteria, body heat, and in there is evidence to show that they are even attracted to certain blood types. Some people produce stronger attractants, making them more appealing to mosquitoes.

Our spray treatments are designed to target active, flying mosquitoes at night when bees and other beneficial insects are not active. Our treatment applications occur after sunset to reduce exposure to pollinators like honeybees. Fireflies can be active at the time of treatment, so there is a chance that they could be impacted by the treatments. We calibrate the droplet size to 30-40 microns to specifically target the mosquitoes body size. To give you an idea of how small that is the average width of a single strand of hair is 70 microns – so these are very small droplets, which is less impactful on a larger insect like a firefly. Some residents remark on how they are seeing less fireflies in St. Tammany, but that is primarily attributed to loss of habitat from development and light pollution – which disrupts their mating signals.

The best step you can take is to reduce habitat:

• Once a week empty all containers holding water.
• Maintain pools and fountains
• Clean gutters and drains
• If you have water that cannot be drained, consider releasing mosquitofish into the water. We raise the native minnow fish at our office and will give them to residents for free to establish a natural ecosystem in permanent aquatic habitat.

And remember to protect yourself! Wear repellent, avoid peak biting times, and wear long sleeves and pants to make less skin available!

Mosquito control is about management, not elimination. Through continuous surveillance, source reduction, and targeted treatments, we keep mosquito populations below levels that threaten public health or quality of life.