County begins spraying for mosquitoes

Aerial spraying over parts of Elmore County began last night, Tuesday, to help curb the recent increase in West Nile viral infections in the area.

County officials unveiled their plan as a follow-up to the West Nile emergency declaration that was presented to Governor Jim Risch's Office on Aug. 21.

Nick Schilz, Elmore County Disaster Coordinator, said that a portion of the plan calls for aerial spraying in parts of the county where mosquitoes most likely infected with the virus are prevalent.

Schilz said, weather permitting, aerial spraying over specific sections of Elmore County was scheduled to begin Tuesday night at approximately 9 p.m.

"We are planning on starting around dusk and continuing for approximately four hours, ending around 1:30 a.m.," he said.

The proposed schedule may also include a repeat aerial spray tonight, Wednesday, with the same scheduled hours.

"If the weather cooperates, we should be done by late Tuesday night," said Schilz. "That means we can't have any rain or winds over 10 mph in our designated spray zone."

Schilz said the county has budgeted for a repeat aerial spray of the same areas but that a mosquito count conducted after Tuesday's spray will determine if it is needed.

"We'll go out and monitor the results of the spraying and then go from there," he said.

The pesticide being used is a non-toxic chemical called Dibrom Concentrate and it can be found on the Idaho Department of Agriculture's approve pesticide list. It will be applied according to the product label as directed by state and federal law.

Schilz said Dibrom is not harmful in any way to human, pets, birds or fish.

The company being used for this spray is not the same one that was employed by Ada County for their spraying, as that company's schedule was too conflicted.

Clark Mosquito Control will be providing the equipment and chemicals for the spray, while Dynamic Aviation, based out of Virginia, will oversee the aerial application.

Schilz explained the aerial application process:

"Airplanes will spray the pesticide into droplets approximately 300 feet above the ground," he said. "It will be active for only a short period of time and will likely be gone by the time people wake up in the morning."

According to a statement released by Elmore County, while the pesticide dosage is enough to kill mosquitoes, it is not expected to harm larger insects within the designated spray zone.

Local officials expect a 90 percent kill rate on adult mosquitoes with the spray zone and a follow-up effort to increase larvaciding at area lakes and ponds will also ensue.

According to the county, "This two-pronged approach will significantly impact the area's mosquito population; therefore greatly reducing the risk of any further human West Nile infection."

Elmore County currently has the third-highest number of West Nile cases in the state with 49. At least three people have died due to West Nile-related complications.

Schilz said the county has taken efforts to notify the public about the spraying schedule through television and radio and that residents should go about their normal everyday lives during the spraying period.

"By law, we were required to notify all restaurants and businesses with outdoor patios, daycares, schools, recreational centers, parks and fairgrounds," he said. "But that does not mean those places are not safe."

Officials wished to notify citizens that during spraying, air conditioning units may be left on and windows and doors may remain open.

Citizens might see low-flying planes during the evening but officials say they are not likely to feel or smell the pesticide as it is being applied.

According to the county the pesticide being used, "is widely used across the entire United States for the specific purpose of mosquito control. It has been deemed safe and approved by all U.S. Governmental agencies."

"The aerial contractor selected to perform the spraying is a highly recommended applicator with all the required licenses and certifications to perform this type of work."

Schilz said that while the project was not without its obstacles, he is pleased that things moved along so quickly.

"Well, first we were notified that we couldn't spray any BLM land," he said, "and then we couldn't get the right type of applicator in that short period of time."

"But we are very pleased that it all came together. Hopefully this will get the job done."

For more information concerning the aerial spraying schedule visit the county's website at www.elmorecounty.org, or Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

Interested parties can also contact Nick Schilz at 587-2119 ext. 130 or Mir M. Seyedbagheri, Elmore County's Extension Educator, at 587-2136 ext. 509.