City Launches Seasonal Mosquito Control Program

Mosquito
Truth or Consequences, NM
 – As mosquito season approaches, the City of Truth or Consequences is ramping up its vector control efforts to protect public health and comfort. David Johnson, Facilities Manager for the City, is leading the initiative, which includes scheduled nighttime spraying throughout the summer months. Tom Cool, a member of the Facilities team, is also onboard for his 10th year.

“We begin vector spraying every Tuesday and Thursday starting in July,” Johnson explained. The program runs through the end of September or until the state-allowed amount of chemical has been used. The City uses Aqua-Kontrol 30-30, a Masterline brand product registered with the EPA (Registration No. 73748-11). This solution contains 30% Permethrin and 30% Piperonyl Butoxide as its active ingredients, providing effective control of mosquito populations while adhering to state and federal regulations.
     
Spraying is conducted strictly between 8 PM and 12 AM to protect pollinators such as bees and butterflies, along with flowering plants. For this reason, the City does not spray for midges or gnats that fly during daytime hours.   

The City has agreements in place to extend vector spraying beyond its limits. This includes contracted areas in the county such as Animas Creek, Palomas, and Arrey. Additionally, the City coordinates with the Village of Williamsburg on an as-needed basis; spraying there is only conducted when it becomes critically necessary.

Spraying is divided into two parts each week. On Tuesdays, crews cover county areas first, followed by the south side of Truth or Consequences, which includes everything south and east of Broadway up to 3rd Avenue. On Thursdays, the team sprays Monticello, RV Park, and the north side of the City, including the Veterans Home and areas west and north of Broadway and 3rd Avenue.

Residents are encouraged to remain indoors when the yellow caution light on the service truck is flashing, as this indicates active spraying is in progress. Staying indoors during these times helps ensure your area receives full and proper coverage. If individuals are seen outside, spraying may be temporarily paused to ensure safety.

In some cases, if a truck passes without spraying, it may be due to a no-spray request in the area. By law, the City must avoid spraying an entire block surrounding a registered no-spray residence.

The City honors please-spray requests and no-spray requests, the latter which must be submitted annually to the City Clerk’s Office. “We need no-spray updated requests each year to make sure the resident still lives at that address,” Johnson said. If a neighbor has requested no spraying, nearby homes may not receive full coverage. Please-spray requests can be made at any time. If you would like to make a please-spray or no-spray request, please call in your request to the City Clerk’s office at (575) 894-6673.

Importantly, the City does not spray private yards or properties. “We only treat public areas and roadways,” Johnson clarified. Residents needing treatment on their property, should contact a licensed pesticide contractor.

Weather conditions are an important factor in the City’s vector control efforts. Spraying operations are suspended if wind speeds exceed 10 miles per hour or if it is raining, as both safety and effectiveness are top priorities. David Johnson, who brings 17 years of experience in pesticide application, emphasized the importance of public involvement in the program. “The City can only do so much. Residents need to eliminate standing water, clean up weeds, and avoid overwatering,” he urged. “Together is the only way we can keep the mosquito population at bay.”    

For more information on vector control, contact the New Mexico Department of Agriculture at (575) 646-3007.

 Did you know? Only female mosquitoes bite—and it’s not for food. They use the protein in blood to produce eggs. Their actual food source is nectar from   plants, which is also where they live and rest. If you have dense vegetation or overgrown areas around your home, you may be unknowingly providing a   perfect habitat for mosquitoes. To help reduce their population, it’s important to keep your property clean, trim back plants, and eliminate any standing
 water where they can breed.