As the sun dips below the horizon this Saturday, Jefferson Parish takes to the skies, but not for some leisurely eve flight – they're on a mission to quell the buzzing nuisance that's been plaguing residents: mosquitoes. According to an official alert from the parish, aerial spraying is set to douse the East and West Banks, targeting parts of South Kenner, River Ridge, Harahan, Gretna, and Waggaman in its swath. The operation, meant to suppress the vexatious swarms, is primed to commence at 7:30 p.m. and wind down at the stroke of midnight.
While the bulk of us might find other ways to spend a Saturday evening, these flights have a critical job, hugging close to the earth, they'll disperse insecticides intended to intercept the peskier vectors of West Nile, Zika, and the tireless droning that can turn a serene porch sit into a slapping frenzy. Specific boundaries for the spray zones have been delineated on the parish's website, with Area #1 encompassing Harahan, River Ridge, and South Kenner – carved out by the Airline Highway up North and down to the Mississippi River South; the West Bank is bordered by St. Charles Parish Line, and its eastern boundary runs right up to Edwards Avenue, sparing the confines of MSY Airport.
Meanwhile, Area #2, Gretna, will be trimmed by the river to the north and Claire Avenue to the south, flanked by Whitney Avenue and Creagan Avenue to the east, and then run along Hero Drive and Gulf Drive on the western front. As for Area #3, Waggaman's going to experience the aerial spray between the river and Highway 90, from Willswood Lane in the east to South Kenner Avenue on its west. Should Mother Nature prove uncooperative, the parish has a contingency: the spray will move to the next available evening where conditions allow for this insecticidal interlude.
Jefferson Parish has launched an aerial mosquito control operation to reduce mosquito populations in the area. Parish officials noted that similar campaigns have been conducted in the past. Information about the insecticides being used and details of the operation are available through the parish’s official alert system.
