ROCK SPRINGS – The City of Rock Springs has begun its mosquito abatement program. During the month of July, city personnel will be spraying in areas of the city using a truck mounted aerosol sprayer.

Spraying will be conducted between Monday July 1, 2013 and Friday July 19, 2013 in the following areas:

• The Cemetery
• Sweetwater Creek
• Bitter Creek from East I-80 Interchange to the Waste Water Treatment Plant
• The area around Bunning Park
• The Wetlands Park area by Smith’s
• Killpecker Creek along Springs Drive and Community Park Drive

Further spraying needs will be evaluated throughout the summer.

The project uses a spray formulation that contains the pesticide product, Biomist to control the mosquitoes. The active ingredient in Biomist is permethrin, a second-generation synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as a slightly toxic pesticide by the EPA. These insecticidal compounds are either harvested directly from or based upon substances in the chrysanthemum plant. Mosquito control applications of permethrin do not pose a significant risk to people or pets due to the low toxicity of the spray and small amount used to control mosquitoes. As with any pesticide, people and pets should minimize exposure. If residents see the spray truck next to their yards, they are advised to go indoors, close windows and turn off cooling units for a few minutes while the spray dissipates.

This project is part of an overall effort to control mosquitoes in the City of Rock Springs. In June, Altosid XR larvacide pellets containing methoprene were put into the stagnant water areas of the Bitter Creek and Killpecker Creek through town. Altosid XR larvacide pellets were also placed in some of the ponds at the golf course and in the City flood detention ponds. Altosid attacks the mosquito larvae as it develops, prevent it from reaching adulthood and interrupting the growth cycle and lasts approximately 150 days.

In 2012 the Wyoming Department of Health received eight reports of human West Nile virus infection. In regards to the human cases reported in 2012, 14% were female, 86% were male; the age range of patients reported was from 26 to 68 years old with a median age of 51 years; reported symptom onset dates ranged from 8/2/2012 through 9/6/2012; and no human deaths associated with West Nile Virus infection were reported last year.

The Wyoming Department of Health reported there were three human WNV cases with no deaths reported in 2011; six human WNV cases with no deaths reported in 2010; 12 human cases with one death reported in 2009; 10 human cases with no deaths in 2008; 185 human cases with two deaths in 2007; 65 human cases with two deaths in 2006; 12 human cases with two deaths in 2005; 10 human cases with no deaths in 2004; and 393 human cases with nine deaths in 2003.

More information on West Nile virus is available on the web at www.badskeeter.org Questions about the Rock Springs mosquito control project may be directed to Rock Springs Fire Chief Lyle Armstrong at 352-1475.