W&P District Begins Mosquito Larva Prevention Efforts Early Due to Warm Spring

Sheridan County Weed and Pest Control District Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse and said both Sheridan and Johnson County districts are beginning seasonal operations earlier than usual due to unseasonably warm spring weather leading to an accelerated mosquito development across the region. 

Songer said crews have already detected and treated mosquito larvae and begun trapping adult mosquitoes, weeks ahead of a typical mid-May start. 

B. Songer

The West Nile Virus, (WNV) transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, saw increased cases statewide last year, including equine cases in the Sheridan Region. These district efforts currently include larviciding standing water. 

A photo of Culex tarsalis, a carrier of WNV, through Songer’s microscope. Courtesy of Sheridan County Weed and Pest District Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer.

Residents are encouraged to walk around their property, look for and reduce standing water, use repellents, and contact local mosquito control agencies to purchase the larvicide (at a reduced rate) that has been specifically engineered to target only mosquito larva.

The district wants the public to be aware that people over 60 and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions are at an increased risk of severe illness from WNV infection.

For more information, contact your local mosquito control representative. Sheridan County – Weed and Pest District, Brian Songer, Assistant Supervisor, 672-3740. City of Sheridan – Mosquito Hotline 655-8297. Town of Ranchester – Robert Miller, Parks and Recreation Manager, 751-0527.