NOMTRCB has observed elevated abundances of Culex mosquito populations in their adult traps, including primary West Nile Vector Culex quinquefasciatus. The city has experienced heavy rainfall in various areas, which can significantly increase mosquito populations by creating habitats for several species, including floodwater and container-breeding species. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in nearly anything that can hold water, such as tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, clogged gutters, unkept swimming pools, tarps (and other plastics) and kiddie pools. Mosquitoes can develop from eggs to adult mosquitoes in approximately seven days.  

 

NOMTRCB encourages residents to remain vigilant and to tip over or toss out any items that hold water to prevent mosquito breeding. In containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools and ponds, they urge residents to drain and replace water weekly. They are asking all residents to take 10 minutes a week when taking out their garbage to inspect and remove any standing water on their property for any potential mosquito breeding sites. 

 

No West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been detected in Orleans Parish so far this year. However, there has been reported West Nile Virus positive mosquito pools in other areas of the state. West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are more prevalent in the summer and early fall. NOMTRCB is continuing to run year-round weekly surveillance of adult mosquitoes for arbovirus testing throughout the parish. 

 

Protect Yourself 

• Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn
• Use air conditioning or sit in the air stream of a fan outdoors when possible
• Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside the home
• Use CDC-approved repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus
• When using repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label

Protect Your Home 

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed around your home and yard by tipping over all outdoor containers at least weekly
• Make sure swimming pools and fountains are functional and circulating
• Remove trash and clutter and turn over any object that can hold water, such as kiddie pools, buckets, empty trash cans, children's toys or plant pot trays
• Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, pet water bowls or non-functional fountains
• Scrub the sides of the containers to remove mosquito eggs that may have been deposited
• Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened and collected water should be used within one week
• Aerate ornamental pools, fountains and sugar kettles or stock them with fish or mosquito dunks
• Store outdoor toys, trash cans, empty plant vases and other water-holding containers upside down when not in use

Report Mosquito Issues  

Please report mosquito-related issues using one of the following methods: 

• Call 3-1-1 to make a service request 
• Complete a service request online: https://nola311.org/service-request/
• Email NOMTRCB: mosquitocontrol@nola.gov
• Call NOMTRCB: (504) 658-2400

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the CDC website: 

https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html.

 

For information on guidelines followed by NOMTRCB for integrated pest management, visit the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association (LMCA) website: 

https://www.mosquito.org/page/training.

 

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