The Shelby County Health Department has announced its mosquito control schedule for the week commencing on Monday, in an effort to contain the mosquito population and mitigate the West Nile Virus spread. According to information released by Shelby County Health Department, the mosquito control measures include truck-mounted spraying utilizing EPA-approved insecticides in specific ZIP codes during the early morning hours.
Emphasizing the importance of these measures, the health department explains their program commences in February where larvicides are applied, directly aiming to reduce the adult mosquito population by targeting the aquatic immature stages, as mosquitoes are not simply a nuisance, but they are carriers of potentially serious diseases, their process is detailed in an ArcGIS story map that can be viewed by the public. Spraying is scheduled for the upcoming week, beginning on Tuesday from 3:45 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. for ZIP Codes 38053, 38128, and 38134, extending through Friday with a rotation of various ZIP codes each day.
Residents living in ZIP Codes 38127, 38107, 38108, 38122, 38104, 38105, 38107, and 38112 can expect the spraying on Wednesday, July 9; while on Thursday, July 10, ZIP Codes 38108, 38122, 38128, 38117, 38120, and 38111 will be targeted. By Friday, July 11, the control measures will reach ZIP Codes 38120, 38111, 38117, 38118, and 38119. For each scheduled day, the department has provided specific route maps available via short-links cited in their announcement.
The Health Department advises citizens with chronic health issues such as asthma or other respiratory conditions to stay indoors during spraying, weather conditions permitting, such as when temperatures remain above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, there's no rain chance greater than 65%, and wind speeds are less than 11mph for help in managing this, residents have easy access to the department's contact information for queries or, if they wish, to opt out of the spraying program directly.
As we approach the scheduled mosquito control dates, Shelby County Health Department urges the community to be aware of their surroundings—particularly individuals with sensitive health concerns might wish to remain indoors and the exercise caution by reviewing the specific spraying schedules and taking necessary precautions.
