VALDOSTA — With the county finding the West Nile virus in mosquitoes for the fifth time, some citizens have expressed concern about the deployment of the county and city’s anti-pest measures.

The City of Valdosta and Lowndes County take similar actions when a mosquito, human or animal has been discovered carrying a mosquito-borne illness. The city and county work with Valdosta State University and the South Health District to monitor mosquito populations for commutable disease and respond with the appropriate measures.

Valdosta State University’s Dr. Mark Blackmore reports positive cases of mosquito-borne illnesses to both the city and the county. The county has four additional traps that it monitors and tests on its own and the county also monitors fluctuations in mosquito populations with landing counts, said Lowndes County Clerk and Public Information Officer Paige Dukes.

“The county uses landing counts, which is a process by which the number of mosquitoes that land in a particular area for a specified amount of time are counted,” said Dukes. “If landing counts indicate an increase in mosquito population, the county takes a closer look at the area to determine a plan of action for reducing the population.”

Dukes said that the county applies larvicide along 11 routes throughout the county’s unincorporated areas, and each application remains potent for 90 days. And she said adulticide solutions are applied to attention areas

whenever a mosquito is found to be carrying a mosquito-borne illness.

The city sprays for mosquitoes over a 10-day cycle around dusk at a frequency of up to six times per week, said John Whitehead III, Valdosta’s public works director. He said the city intensifies its efforts in areas where positive cases of mosquito-borne illnesses have been identified.

 “When and where to spray is determined by several factors such as count levels, recent wet weather and imminent virus

 or disease threat,” said Whitehead. “The city also responds with immediate and intensive spraying in the areas of the city identified as having a larger population of mosquitoes.”

The city primarily sprays adulticides, as opposed to the county which focuses on larvicides. Whitehead said the adulticides kill immediately and, depending on wind conditions, remain potent for about five minutes.

Since the city can only operate on public land, Whitehead said that self-help is the best way for citizens to eliminate mosquito habitats on private land.

“The city can only spray in public areas and on public streets, which constitute less than 1 percent of the land area of the city,” said Whitehead. “[So] it is important for citizens to play an active role in prevention by removing standing water from around their homes and work places, especially those who reside in areas along the river, with detention ponds or who are near other areas that collect standing water.”

As a friendly reminder, the city and county provided the following self-help measures for citizens to use in conjunction with the local government efforts to minimize the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.

• Remove all discarded tires from your property.

• Check all flower and landscaping containers for standing water.

• Make sure all gutters drain properly.

• Clean and chlorinate all swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. If not in use, keep clean and covered.

• Drain water from pool covers.

• Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.

• Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows, etc., when not in use.

• Clean ditches of obstructions so they drain properly.

• Take measures to eliminate any standing water on your property that does not drain properly.

• Check trees for cavities that hold water and fill them with soil, gravel or sand.

• Verify that air-conditioning units’ drains are not producing a small puddle. If so, drop a handful of sand or gravel under the drain.

• Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

• Use larvicide where standing water cannot be removed.

• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas, saunas and hot tubs — keep them covered when not in use.  

• Eliminate weeds and tall grass, as these also become mosquito-breeding sites.

• Use insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors. The CDC also recommends repellents that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus or the Pircaridin.

• Protect yourself with appropriate clothing when you are outdoors during times that mosquitoes are most active.  

Both Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta provide free briquettes of larvicide to citizens through their public works departments. Contact the Lowndes County Public Works office, (229) 671-2700; or the City of Valdosta’s Public Works Department, (229) 259-3588.

For further information on mosquito-borne diseases, visit the Centers for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov.