City of New Orleans, LA

04/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2024 13:43

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board to Conduct Adult Mosquito Abatement

April 30, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board to Conduct Adult Mosquito Abatement

NEW ORLEANS - The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) will conduct adult mosquito abatement starting tonight, Wednesday, April 30. Adulticide applications taking place this evening will target adult populations of mosquitoes. Treatments will be conducted by truck from 7:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., weather permitting, in the following areas of New Orleans East:

  • Venetian Isles bounded by Ridgeway Boulevard, Chef Menteur Highway, and the parish line.
  • Michoud bounded by I-10, I-510, and Chef Menteur Highway.
  • Little Woods bounded by Hayne Boulevard, Morrison Road, Read Boulevard, and Paris Road.
  • Little Woods bounded by Morrison Road, I-10 Service Rd, Martin Drive, and Paris Road.
  • West Lake, West Lake Forest, and Read Boulevard East bounded by I-10 Service Rd, Dwyer Road, Basinview Drive, and I-510.
  • Plum Orchard and Read Boulevard West bounded by Dwyer Road, Chef Menteur Highway, I-10, and I-510.

We have observed elevated abundances of floodwater breeding mosquito populations in our adult traps. Increases of floodwater mosquito populations is typical after periods of drought followed by rainfall. These mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs in the moist soil in temporary pools and ponds created by rain and tend to emerge in large numbers after these areas flood. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in nearly anything that can hold water, such as tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, clogged gutters, unkept swimming pools, tarps (and other plastics), and kiddie pools. 

Mosquitoes can develop from eggs to adult mosquitoes in approximately 7 days. We are asking residents to remain vigilant and to tip over or toss out any items that hold water to prevent mosquito breeding. In containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools, and ponds, we urge citizens to drain and replace water weekly. We are asking all citizens to take 10 minutes a week when taking out their garbage to inspect and remove any standing water on their property for any potential mosquito breeding sites.

No West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been detected in Orleans Parish so far this year. West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are more prevalent in the summer and early fall. NOMTRCB is continuing to run year-round weekly surveillance of adult mosquitoes for arbovirus testing.

Protect Yourself

  • Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
  • Use air conditioning or sit in the air stream of a fan outdoors when possible.
  • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside the home.
  • Use CDC-approved repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
  • When using repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label.   

Protect Your Home

  • Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed around your home and yard by tipping over all outdoor containers at least weekly.
  • Make sure swimming pools and fountains are functional and circulating.
  • Remove trash and clutter and turn over any object that can hold water, such as kiddie pools, buckets, empty trash cans, children's toys, or plant pot trays.
  • Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed such as bird baths, pet water bowls, or non-functional fountains.
  • Scrub the sides of the containers to remove mosquito eggs that may have been deposited.
  • Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened and collected water should be used within one week.
  • Aerate ornamental pools, fountains, and sugar kettles or stock them with fish or mosquito dunks.
  • Store outdoor toys, trash cans, empty plant vases, and other water-holding containers upside down when not in use.

Report Mosquito Issues

Please report mosquito-related issues using one of the following methods:

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

For information on guidelines followed by NOMTRCB for integrated pest management, visit the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association (LMCA) website:

https://www.mosquito.org/page/training

Follow Us

For pest management tips, abatement announcements, spray maps, and general information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @nolamosquito

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