CITY OF BRENHAM CONTINUING FIGHT AGAINST MOSQUITOES

  
A City of Brenham truck deploys a fog spray using a pesticide that attacks adult mosquitoes.
(courtesy City of Brenham)

The City of Brenham is doing its part to keep mosquitoes from bugging residents.

The city is in the middle of its yearly spraying efforts to reduce the effect the pests have on the community.

Public Works Director Dane Rau says, while mosquitoes are active, the “mosquito season” has not been as bad as the city has seen in the past.

 

 

The main method the city employs involves the use of pesticide sprayed from an “ultra-low volume sprayer” attached to a vehicle. The sprayer produces a fog that attacks adult mosquitoes.

A City of Brenham worker sprays a storm drain to get rid of any pests that might be hiding inside.
(courtesy City of Brenham)

On average, the city sprays for mosquitoes three times a week, covering the entire city each week. This is as long as weather conditions are suitable for spraying, meaning little to no wind and no rain.  During a typical evening, 20-25 miles of city streets can be covered with this process.

The spraying is done roughly an hour before dark, continuing two hours after dark. This is considered the ideal time to spray, as helpful insects like bees are safely back at their hives or nests, while adult mosquitoes are most active—and vulnerable—to the spray.  This method usually starts around April and lasts until September.

Other methods used include the “spot spraying” of storm drains, using an ATV equipped with a wand sprayer that can fog mosquitoes out of dark, moist areas. This spraying is done during the day, when mosquitoes are likely to be hiding in these kinds of areas.  In addition, the city applies briquettes to standing water in right-of-way or drainage ditches, to stunt the growth of mosquito larvae.

Rau says residents can also help out in the fight against mosquitoes.

 

 

Citizens are encouraged to change the water in their bird baths and wading pools at least weekly, and make sure their swimming pools are treated and circulating.

To view other tips on how to keep mosquitoes to a minimum, and how to avoid getting bitten, click here.

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