Mosquito Fogging Program Begins This Week
AMES, Iowa – Mosquito fogging in City parks have started this week and will continue until the end of September or when mosquito population thresholds are no longer exceeded. Ames residents who are planning events may call the Parks and Recreation Department to request that a specific park be fogged before their event.
The following parks will be fogged weekly from 8 to 10:30 p.m., weather permitting, (no rain or winds over 10 miles per hour):
- Mondays: Country Gables Park, Ames Dog Park, and Hunziker Youth Sports Complex
- Tuesdays: Homewood Golf Course, Inis Grove Park, Brookside Park, and River Valley Park
- Wednesdays: Bandshell Park, Moore Memorial Park, Emma McCarthy Lee Park, and Daley Park
In the event of inclement weather, the makeup dates for all the parks will be weekday mornings from 6 to 8 a.m. and Thursday evenings from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Mosquitoes thrive in the warm, wet weather of summer in Iowa and can carry several diseases. However, there are several ways to avoid and get rid of mosquitoes. The most effective way to eliminate mosquitoes is to remove standing water in residential areas. It’s also important to remember to wear mosquito repellent or long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent bites.
The City of Ames contracts with the Iowa State University Department of Entomology in administering the Mosquito Control program. Iowa State Entomology provides the mosquito traps and the expertise in determining mosquito populations, as well as sends mosquito samples to the State Hygienic Lab for testing. City of Ames staff is notified when thresholds have been exceeded and then administers a two-step mosquito control program. The program consists of applying larvicide granules to standing water in the parks and public property to eliminate the larvae, as well as fogging in the evenings or early mornings to control the adult mosquitoes.
The fogging chemical applied in the parks and has been tested and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) multiple times and is one of the safest chemicals for people and the environment as well as one of the most effective at controlling mosquitoes.
The Parks and Recreation Department manages 40 parks and offers approximately 200 athletic, aquatic, instructional and wellness programs. For more information go to the Parks and Recreation homepage at www.amesparkrec.org or call the Community Center at 515.239.5350.
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