News Flash

The City of Watertown is gearing up its Mosquito Control Program for the 2024 season. The program is designed to reduce the threat of West Nile Virus, which is transmitted to humans through bites by infected mosquitoes. There are 43 known species of mosquitoes in South Dakota, and only nineteen are known vectors of West Nile Virus. Less than 1% of mosquitoes are estimated to be infected with the West Nile Virus. And less than 1% of the people bitten by infected mosquitoes will get seriously ill. The chances are very small that you will be infected with the disease, but even one case of West Nile Virus is considered one case too many.

Part of the City’s Mosquito Control Program involves controlling the mosquito population while they’re in the water-borne larvae stage before they develop into the annoying flying mosquitoes we’ve all become familiar with. This is accomplished by eliminating areas of standing water or treating these breeding areas with larvicide. The City of Watertown uses an organic larvicide that contains a naturally occurring, spore-forming bacterium found throughout the world in soil and aquatic environments. This bacterium is toxic to mosquito larvae upon ingestion but harmless to people and animals.

The City plans to apply larvicide throughout the mosquito season. This will be applied not only to known breeding areas on public property but to all storm sewer drains as well. Additional applications will occur as circumstances (wet weather) and surveillance dictate. Mosquito spraying is conducted when mosquito traps indicate significant populations of specific mosquito species that are likely to carry West Nile virus. The public will be notified when and where any spraying for adult mosquitoes will occur. Spraying usually occurs between dusk and early morning. Announcements will appear on local radio stations and on the City of Watertown’s webpage at watertownsd.us.

Although the chance of most people experiencing any health effects from mosquito spraying is quite low, people who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition (especially the elderly) should take special measures to avoid exposure. Consult your physician if you have specific medical concerns regarding how you might be affected by the mosquito spraying. The following are some common sense measures that should be followed when mosquito spraying becomes necessary in your neighborhood:

1. If possible, remain inside whenever spraying takes place.
2. Keep children inside during spraying and for about an hour after spraying.
3. Before spraying begins, close windows and doors and turn off your air conditioning (or set it to circulate indoor air).
4. If you must remain outside, avoid eye contact with the spray. If you get mosquito spray in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water.
5. Wash exposed skin surfaces with soap and water if you come in contact with the mosquito spray.
6. Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.
7. Cover outdoor tables and play equipment, or wash them with soap and water after spraying.
8. Bring laundry and toys inside before spraying begins. Wash with soap and water if exposed to mosquito spray.
9. Bring pets inside and cover ornamental fishponds to avoid direct exposure.
10. Consult your physician if you think you are experiencing health effects from the spraying.

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes and the risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus, the following steps are also recommended:

1. Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.
2. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven materials whenever you are outdoors.
3. Spray clothing with mosquito repellents containing picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) products, 2-undecanone, or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. An effective DEET repellent will contain 35% DEET (N,N-diethlmeta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35%) provides no additional protection. For children, use repellents containing no more than 10% DEET.
4. Apply mosquito repellent sparingly to exposed skin.
5. Mosquito repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to children's hands.
6. Whenever you use mosquito spray or an insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
7. Note: Vitamin B and “ultrasonic” devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites.
8. Turn off any lights that can attract mosquitoes. For outdoor lighting, use yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects.
9. Keep grass and weeds cut short to reduce mosquito hiding places.
10. Screens on windows and doors should be “bug-tight”.

As mentioned earlier, the City’s mosquito control program efforts focus on reducing the local mosquito population by identifying, monitoring, and treating areas within the city limits that have been determined to be the major local breeding areas for mosquito species more likely to carry West Nile Virus. All of these areas are located on city-owned property.

• There is much that can be done by individual property owners to control mosquitoes on their private property. If everyone would take a few minutes each week to check the following potential mosquito breeding areas around their home, the mosquito population in your neighborhood would be greatly reduced:
• Cans and Buckets: Discard them, store them inside, or turn them upside down. Old Tires: Store them in the basement or shed where they won’t collect rainwater.
• Barrels and Garbage Cans. Drain them and store them tightly covered or upside down.
• Roof Gutters. Clean out leaves and debris that trap and hold water. Repair sagging gutters. 
   Bird Baths. Change and clean water every day. Wading Pools.
• Change the water every few days, but make sure that the water you dump out drains away. Turn it upside down when not in use.
• Canoes and Boats. Cover with a tight-fitting tarp, or turn upside down. Open the drain plug and tilt the boat so water flows out.
• Ornamental Ponds. Stock with small fish that will eat developing mosquitoes. Puddles and Swampy Areas. Grade to drain off the water or fill it with dirt.
• Flower Pots and Vases. Drain standing water from pot saucers and change water in outdoor vases every couple days.
• Leaky Faucets and Hoses. Repair leaking faucets and drain area beneath.
• Tarps or Plastic Sheets. Ensure the coverings on boats, swimming pools, compost piles, etc., are tight and sloped so rainwater runs off.
• Pet or Livestock Watering Pans. Empty frequently, clean, and refill.
• Wheelbarrows. Store undercover in a basement or shed or upside down. Drainage Basins. Remove stagnant water from sump pits, dry wells, or drainage basins.
• Cesspools and Septic Tanks. Make sure systems are tightly covered, operating properly, and not overflowing.
• Storm Drains. Check to see that water flows freely and is not blocked by leaves and debris.
• Tree Holes. Remove stumps or fill stumps or tree holes with sand or other filler.

 For more information about mosquitoes or the West Nile Virus, check out the following websites on the internet: cdc.gov/westnile. If you have any questions regarding spraying, contact Park, Rec, and Forestry at (605) 882-6260.