MOSQUITOES!
Friday, June 21, 2024
Dear Resident,
Due to the high concentration of mosquitoes in our city, the Town of Tahoka, along with a coalition of thirteen (13) area cities, will conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes tentatively Friday evening, June 21, 2024, through Saturday, June 22, 2024, winds permitting.
The wind must be below 11 miles per hour for the flight to happen.
Weather permitting, the plane will spray Tahoka from late Friday evening, June 21st, through the overnight hours. The actual time of spraying will be determined by where we fit in the city list. The actual spraying of Tahoka should not take more than 30 minutes.
Aerial spraying, a highly effective method, will be used to reach areas in the city that truck-mounted sprayers cannot access, ensuring comprehensive mosquito control.
Vector Disease Control International is the company that will be spraying. They specialize in aerial application, have been in business since 1992, and have over 40 offices across the United States. These products are being applied strictly per label instructions set forth and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The company is fully licensed and certified by Federal monitoring agencies. Visit www.vdci.net for more information about the company.
The product used will be Perm-X UL 31-66; visit www.clarke.com for product information.
Aerial spraying is safe
When applied according to label instructions, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- registered do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
If people prefer to stay inside when spraying occurs, they can, but it is unnecessary.
When aerial spraying is done correctly, it does not cause asthma attacks
What aerial spraying does
Airplanes spray products that quickly kill adult mosquitoes or mosquito larvae to reduce the number of mosquitoes in an area.
Spraying larvicides kills mosquito larvae that hatch from eggs.
Spraying adulticides quickly kills flying mosquitoes.
Both larvicides and adulticides temporarily reduce the number of mosquitoes in an area but do not permanently eliminate them.
How aerial spraying works
Very low volumes of adult or larvicide are sprayed in areas with mosquitoes.
Aerial spraying of larvicides can occur at any time.
Aerial spraying of adulticides occurs when mosquitoes are most active and when pollinating insects are inactive.
Aerial spraying is more effective and faster than truck-mounted or handheld sprayers when treating large land areas.
What to do when aerial spraying occurs
You do not need to leave an area during aerial spraying. When applied by a licensed vector control professional who follows label instructions, aerial spraying poses minimal risk to people, pets, animals, and the environment.
Because aerial spraying uses very low volumes of either adulticide or larvicide, you aren’t likely to breathe or touch anything that has enough insecticide on it to harm you. There is a possibility that spraying larvicides, like Bti, or adulticides can cause eye irritation if a person is outside when spraying takes place.
Learn more at www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/pdfs/aerial-spraying-508.pdf
We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this process. The Town of Tahoka is fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of our citizens.
Derek Stephens
City Administrator
806-561-4211