Caddo Parish, LA – Caddo Parish Animal Services and Mosquito Control (ASMC) has officially started mosquito spraying season in Caddo Parish. ASMC continues to maintain public health and safety in the Parish as a critical priority. ASMC works to combat the mosquito population for over 900 square miles for the entire Parish of Caddo, utilizing eight mosquito trucks to respond across the entire Parish.
This year, ASMC is introducing new, state of the art drone technology to assist in mosquito eradication efforts. The drone will spray insecticide into hard-to-reach areas in Caddo Parish to kill mosquito larvae and keep the population under control before breeding season kicks into high gear in the summer months.
“We are excited about being able to treat mosquitoes in the parish in areas that we haven’t been able to treat before,” said Caddo Mosquito Control Manager Brian Glascock. “We are able to fly the drone over these areas and drop larvicide, hitting the mosquito larvae before they become adults,” said Glascock.
The Parish will also continue to collect and send mosquito specimens daily to the LSU veterinary lab for West Nile testing, which continues to be present in Caddo Parish.
Mosquito populations develop and flourish in areas of standing water. ASMC encourages all citizens to help control the mosquito population and lower the risk of contracting West Nile by adopting the following practices: wear a mosquito repellent containing 15% DEET or higher; wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors; close windows and doors; eliminate standing water around your home; clean and chlorinate swimming pools and emptying pets’ water pans daily.
AQUBAC BTI granules are available for Caddo citizens to help control the mosquito population. BTI granules stop kill the growth of mosquito larvae in standing water. BTI can be applied to areas that contain aquatic life, fish and plants and to areas used by or in contact with humans, animals, horses, livestock, pets, birds or wildlife. BTI granules SHOULD NOT be used in drinking water or in water intended for human consumption. Citizens interested in obtaining granules may contact ASMC at (318)226-6624, or come by 1500 Monty Street between 1pm – 5pm.
Citizens may also receive real time, up to the minute updates on when their neighborhoods are being treated for mosquito control thanks to the Parish’s new Everbridge notification system. Parish residents may sign up for this free service by visiting www.caddo.org, and clicking on “Everbridge Sign-Up”. One enrolled, citizens can receive texts, emails or phone calls notifying them of when their particular neighborhood and/or zip code is being treated by Animal Control.
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