Every mosquito control professional knows that reducing or eliminating mosquito-breeding sites in the community is an effective means to control mosquito populations. Increasing public awareness and involving businesses and residents is an important part of a successful program.

The Urban Management Department operates two ULV mosquito foggers during the active mosquito season - we began this year on May 23rd and lasting until cooler weather slows or stops mosquitoes. They are fogging five nights per week - Monday through Friday. Fogging begins each afternoon at 6:00 p.m. and lasts until 9:00 p.m. This is during the dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active.

During normal operations, unless otherwise directed, a rotation system is used throughout the city. At five days per week, the Urban Management is able to cover a quadrant of the City each night unless weather conditions are prohibitive. Conditions that would prevent fogging would be rain or winds above ten miles per hour.

Even with fogging, there are ways every resident can help to make sure their yard is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Urban Management suggests the following:

• Destroy and dispose of cans, tires and other containers on your property.
• Make sure flowerpot saucers, plastic containers, and other potential water-holding containers have holes in the bottom to allow drainage.
• Pick up children's toys such as buckets, shovels, and wagons. These items filled with water can breed mosquitoes.
• Change water in wading pools every week.
• Change water in birdbaths on a weekly basis.
• Keep swimming pools properly maintained. Keep water from pooling on the plastic or canvas tarp covers. An untended pool means stagnant water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes to lay eggs that can produce thousands of mosquitoes in a couple of weeks. Thousands of mosquitoes can breed in one pool, live for more than a month and travel more than a mile.
• Avoid over-irrigating lawns and gardens to prevent standing water.
• Clean clogged roof drains and gutters to prevent standing water.

If you have any questions about mosquito fogging or prevention, you may contact Urban Management Department Director Ken Johnson by email, ken.johnson@prattvilleal.gov