West Nile Ground Spraying FAQs

Why would the City consider ground spraying? The goal of spraying in general is to limit the possibility of spreading the West Nile virus from birds to people with the end result being that no-one dies or becomes seriously ill from the virus. Spraying is done as the final stage in an integrated program of mosquito management to prevent human illness and death.

What chemical is being used to spray the affected areas?
Aqua-Reslin is being used in our ground spraying applications. This chemical is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label for Aqua-Reslin is available here and the material safety data sheet is available here.

What is the rate of dispersion?
Application rates are listed on the insecticide label as approved by US EPA. Applications of Permanone occur at a rate of .0030 pounds of active ingredients per acre. The contractor is using a variable flow sprayer that automatically adjusts the sprayer flow rate as the vehicle travels, based on the speed as determined by GPS. The sprayer can spray at vehicle speeds between 3 and 22 miles per hour. The sprayers will not spray at speeds higher than 22 miles per hour

Is spraying supervised?
Yes, spraying is supervised. Drivers are instructed to obey all posted speed limits.

What if the spray truck encounters a pedestrian? Drivers do not normally stop the vehicle if they encounter a pedestrian. They are instructed to immediately turn off the spray and drive past the pedestrian with the spray off.

What do I do if I come into contact with the spray? Ground spraying is considered to be an effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes. The pesticide is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and is safe for humans and animals in the dosage being utilized. Individuals who wish to exercise an abundance of caution may take the following measures to minimize exposure:
  • Avoid being outside during spraying; close windows and keep pets inside.
  • Cover small ornamental fish ponds.