County and City talk mosquito mitigation

Representatives from the City of Sheridan, the towns of Ranchester and Dayton, and Sheridan County Weed and Pest District (SCWP) are working together to control the mosquito population throughout Sheridan County.

Sheridan County Weed and Pest Control District Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer and City of Sheridan Natural Resource Coordinator Clark Van Hoosier made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the efforts to curb the growing mosquito population.

According to Songer, with the warming weather, populations of adult mosquitoes are expected to increase dramatically. So far, in the City of Sheridan, observed adult populations have been low.

B. Songer

Sheridan, Ranchester, and Dayton will begin mosquito fogging operations later in June as the number of adult mosquitoes begins to increase. Fogging operations are conducted in the evening when it is most effective on active mosquitoes and presents the least risk to bees and other pollinators.

According to Van Hoosier, the City of Sheridan and the Town of Ranchester have been monitoring known mosquito habitat for larvae since mid May. When found, larvicide has been used to prevent those larvae from becoming biting adults. SCWP has been monitoring larval development at several sites and will apply larvicide aerially throughout all major drainages when numbers reach predetermined thresholds.

Van Hoosier said that the larvicide used by the City and the County is safe for farm animals and pets.

C. Van Hoosier

To help keep numbers down, Songer suggested taking a walk around one’s property and removing any standing water source. 

B. Songer

For more information, contact your local mosquito control representative. In Sheridan County contact Weed and Pest District Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer at 672-3740. In the City of Sheridan call the Mosquito Hotline at 655-8297. In the Town of Ranchester contact Parks and Recreation Manager Robert Miller 655-2283.