August 29, 2022 | From City of New Orleans
New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board to Conduct Mosquito Abatement Tonight, Urges Residents to Take Safety Precautions
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) will conduct mosquito treatments by truck tonight between 8 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting, in the following areas:
- Gentilly in the area bounded by Wisner Boulevard, Lakeshore Drive, France Road and I-10/I-610
- Desire in the area bounded by I-10/I-610, France Road and Florida Avenue
- Upper 9th Ward in the area bounded by Florida Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Chartres Street and Japonica Street
West Nile virus (WNV) activity in mosquitoes has increased in recent weeks. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds and can later spread the virus to people and other animals by biting them. While most human WNV infections are asymptomatic, common symptoms can include headache, body aches, fever, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. In rare cases, severe illness affecting the central nervous system can occur. People over 60 years in age or those with certain medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.
Reducing the risk of mosquito-borne virus transmission is a community effort. It is imperative that we work together to reduce public health risks in peak mosquito season.
NOMTRCB requests that residents inspect areas around the home and yard at least once per week. Turn over containers that hold water and remove trash and clutter. Mosquito larvae can develop in a space as small as a bottle cap, so anything that holds water counts. Report mosquito-related issues, such as standing water in streets or neutral grounds, dumped tires, water-filled construction sites and unkept swimming pools or fountains, to 311.
NOMTRCB urges residents to protect themselves from biting mosquitoes by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn. Use EPA-registered and CDC-approved mosquito repellents when outdoors, especially in the evening and at night when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito-proof residences by maintaining screens on windows and doors.
Additional tips for home and personal protection are as follows:
SAFETY TIPS
Protect Yourself
- Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Use air conditioning if possible
- Make sure window and door screens are in good condition and seal any structural gaps to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside the home.
- Sit in the air stream of a fan if you are outside.
- Use CDC-approved repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
- When using repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label.
Protect Your Home
- Eliminate standing water (where mosquitoes breed) around your home and yard by dumping out water that has accumulated in containers at least once per week.
- Make sure swimming pools and fountains are functional and circulating. A single unkept swimming pool can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints.
- Remove trash and clutter.
- Flip over or drain objects that can hold water such as kiddie pools, buckets, empty trash cans, children's toys or plant pot trays. Store these items upside down when not in use.
- Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed such as bird baths, pet water bowls or non-functional fountains. Scrub the inside walls to remove mosquito eggs that may have been deposited.
- Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened and collected, and water should be used within one week.
- Aerate ornamental pools, ponds, fountains and sugar kettles, or stock them with fish or mosquito dunks.
- Check and clean roof gutters routinely. Clogged gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
Report Mosquito Issues
Please report mosquito-related issues using one of the following methods:
For more pest management tips, mosquito abatement announcements and general information, follow NOMTRCB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @nolamosquito.
For more information on WNV, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.
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