Mosquito mission: Citywide spray scheduled this week

Overwhelmed by mosquitoes? Relief should be on the way.

The city of Sioux Falls is conducting a citywide spray for the next three days, starting today.

Recent flooding and warm weather are creating “an ideal environment for nuisance mosquitoes to grow,” the city said in a statement.

“The sprays are part of an ongoing effort to reduce the mosquito population and protect public health.”

Although the team has been spraying strategically in various zones throughout the city since early June based on the population of harmful mosquitoes, “the number of nuisance mosquitoes the city is seeing warrants a spray citywide to improve quality of life,” it continued.

“These spraying operations will be conducted during the evening hours when mosquito activity is at its peak. The team will also conduct thermal fogging, a daytime treatment to get rid of mosquitoes outdoors using special equipment. The fogging machine heats up and turns the insecticide into a fog that spreads in the air and kills mosquitoes upon contact.”

The city team will treat areas, including bike paths and heavily wooded areas.

The mosquito control program “uses scientifically proven methods to target mosquito populations while minimizing the impact on the environment,” the city said.

You can take the following precautions to help prevent mosquito hatching and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections:

• Dump all standing water on private properties because mosquitoes breed in standing water.
• Regularly check and empty any containers around your property that can collect water, such as flowerpots, birdbaths, wading pools and gutters.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing when outdoors. Follow the instructions on the label for safe and effective use.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outside during the evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are most active.

For information about the mosquito control program and tips on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, visit siouxfalls.gov/mosquito. Sign up to receive text alerts each time the city sprays by texting SPRAY to 888-777.