Jeff Davis Parish fighting rise in mosquito populations
Published 6:00 pm Thursday, September 14, 2017
JENNINGS — Heavy rains in the past few weeks have caused a rise in mosquito populations in Jeff Davis Parish, according to mosquito control district director Robert Tonn.
“The mosquitoes have naturally become a problem in the last two weeks,” Tonn said. “Anytime you have 20-plus inches of rain, you are going to have problems.”
From January to August, Jeff Davis Parish Mosquito Abatement District 1 has collected 81,239 mosquitoes, treated 714,723 acres, used 4,794 gallons of chemicals and received 167 service requests from people with a mosquito problem, he said.
From Sept. 1 to 13 mosquito control collected 33,675 mosquitoes, treated 228,511 acres, used 1,191 gallons of chemicals and received 153 service requests, Tonn said.
“So it has been busy these last two weeks, but we have noticed a dramatic decrease in our mosquito population through our light traps,” he said. “Until we get more rain, I think the problem is starting to be on the decrease.”
Crews are continuing to spray nightly both by ground and air throughout the parish using nine trucks and two airplanes. Crews do not spray by air if it is raining or if there is a threat of a thunderstorm or strong winds.
“Up until Sept. 1 it was going real good, and it was actually probably a little less than the last couple of years,” Tonn said. “If we could go back and turn back the clock and get rid of these past two weeks it would be good.”
The threat for West Nile virus and other diseases has not been a problem in Jeff Davis Parish.
Forty-one parishes, including Jeff Davis, send samples to the LSU Veterinary School to be tested for mosquito-borne diseases.
To date, 23,399 samples have been submitted, with 378 testing positive for West Nile virus, including Allen and Calcasieu parishes.
Jeff Davis Parish has submitted 231 samples, and none have tested positive, Tonn said.
For more information, call mosquito control at 824-4040. Residents should leave their names, phone numbers and addresses. The office, at 1310 Airport Road, is open 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekdays.
