Mosquito Trapping to Begin in Longmont Sunday, June 20 - City of Longmont
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Mosquito Trapping to Begin in Longmont Sunday, June 20

Weekly mosquito trapping will begin in select Longmont neighborhoods on Sunday, June 20. This trapping activity looks for Culex mosquitoes that potentially could carry the West Nile Virus (WNV). No fogging or spraying will take place unless and until WNV-positive mosquitos are discovered in either Larimer, Boulder or Weld Counties and quantities in Longmont traps exceed 150 mosquitoes.

The risk of West Nile Virus is currently low, but not non-existent. Residents are encouraged to practice the 4D’s of prevention:

  1. Use Deet or an alternative repellant
  2. Dress in long sleeves and pants
  3. Avoid outdoor activities from Dusk until Dawn
  4. Drain standing water, i.e. birdbaths, outdoor planters, tires stored outside, etc.

The City contracts with Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) to implement an Integrated Mosquito Management Program to combat mosquitoes that might carry WNV. The program focuses on first attacking mosquitoes in their larval stage before they become airborne. Known as larvicide, this is the best method since it eliminates mosquitoes before they hatch. This method also minimizes fogging or spraying to kill the adult, airborne bugs.

The City has been trapping and monitoring mosquitos for West Nile Virus since 2003. Longmont’s mosquito strategy focuses on reducing the spread of disease, rather than on nuisance control. Residents who are concerned about nuisance mosquitoes in their yards are encouraged to contact a private pest control agency. Generally, the mosquito season extends from mid-May until mid-October, with the end usually signaled by the first freeze in the fall.

The City and VDCI provide the attached map through the WNV webpage that shows the boundaries of predetermined spray areas. When spraying or fogging begins, notice will be provided on both City of Longmont and VDCI websites on Tuesdays. Spraying typically occurs on Thursday nights—giving residents 48 hours’ notice of any spraying. Spraying schedules are, of course, weather dependent.

VDCI maintains a database of Longmont residents who have provided requests to be notified of spraying and/or requests to not have their address included in the spraying operations.  Residents have three options for requests made to VDCI:

  1. Call Notification Only – VDCI will phone you before spraying in your neighborhood.
  2. Address Shutoff Only – VDCI will shut off the spray machine while driving past your property.
  3. Notification & Shutoff – VDCI will phone you before spraying in your neighborhood and shut off the spray machine while driving past your property.

Those interested may contact VDCI to make a notification or shutoff request online or by calling 303-466-1892 or 877-276-4306.

Residents can also sign up for eNotifications to receive weekly updates once WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified in the tri-county area. Be sure to select the West Nile Virus category.

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