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Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control reports that unusually warm temperatures combined with tides and recent rainfall has caused an unexpected outbreak of salt marsh mosquitoes. Normally, crews would be doubling efforts to combat the situation, but current weather conditions are offering less than ideal conditions for spraying. Mosquito spray applications are often curtailed in the winter months because they have little impact on mosquito populations when temperatures drop to 60 degrees or less.
According to the Director of Mosquito Control, Scott Willis, “Historically, in the past 10 years our crews have only sprayed for mosquitoes three nights in January, and two of those evenings occurred in 2009.”
Successful aerial applications by plane are often a big challenge in the winter months due to windy conditions and temperature inversions. During cold months, temperatures at ground level cool quicker than the warmer air above which can prevent an aerial application from coming down effectively.
Calcasieu is not the only parish facing these obstacles. Mosquito districts across the state are facing the same issues.
“We are aware of the mosquito problem and we will be spraying as soon as weather conditions are favorable for our applications. In the meantime, we’re urging residents to protect themselves-even during the winter- and take precautions when outdoors,” said Willis.
Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control reports that unusually warm temperatures combined with tides and recent rainfall has caused an unexpected outbreak of salt marsh mosquitoes. Normally, crews would be doubling efforts to combat the situation, but current weather conditions are offering less than ideal conditions for spraying. Mosquito spray applications are often curtailed in the winter months because they have little impact on mosquito populations when temperatures drop to 60 degrees or less.
According to the Director of Mosquito Control, Scott Willis, “Historically, in the past 10 years our crews have only sprayed for mosquitoes three nights in January, and two of those evenings occurred in 2009.”
Successful aerial applications by plane are often a big challenge in the winter months due to windy conditions and temperature inversions. During cold months, temperatures at ground level cool quicker than the warmer air above which can prevent an aerial application from coming down effectively.
Calcasieu is not the only parish facing these obstacles. Mosquito districts across the state are facing the same issues.
“We are aware of the mosquito problem and we will be spraying as soon as weather conditions are favorable for our applications. In the meantime, we’re urging residents to protect themselves-even during the winter- and take precautions when outdoors,” said Willis.
