Laramie staff detail mosquito‑control plan and West Nile surveillance ahead of summer season

Adam Ross, Laramie’s mosquito control supervisor, told the Laramie City Council that the city’s seasonal program is focused on two goals: preventing West Nile virus transmission and reducing nuisance mosquito populations within the city.

“Our main goal over the course of the season is prevention of West Nile virus transmission and then reduction in nuisance populations throughout the city,” Ross said, summarizing the program’s public‑health priorities.

The presentation described staffing and tactics: two full‑time employees, seasonal technicians for night fogging and larval surveillance, an ATV‑ and foot‑based larval inspection program, and an 18‑trap adult surveillance network supplemented by partner districts’ traps. Larval control, Ross said, relies on regular site checks and targeted larvicides (BTI and insect‑growth regulators), with larvicidal oil used only for pupae when necessary.

Taylor Albbright, the city’s senior equipment operator, explained how the city uses a mix of approaches so treatments have the best chance of reducing vector populations without unnecessary broad applications. “Larval control is the best way to control mosquito populations,” Albbright said, noting that many larval sites are outside town and are checked weekly.

On adult control, staff described a night fogging program (Sunday–Thursday, June–August) using an ultra‑low volume product the presenters identified as Zenovex. They said fogging is scheduled around favorable weather windows (above 50°F, winds under 10 mph) and is applied in rotating city districts; fogging aims to reduce flying adult mosquitoes and minimize off‑target drift.

“Because most pollinators are inactive at night and the product breaks down rapidly in sunlight, the timing and droplet size used with our ULV equipment reduce risk to pollinators and non‑targets,” Albbright said. Presenters added the product is registered with EPA reduced‑risk criteria and has a short environmental half‑life when applied according to label instructions.

Councilors raised questions about event timing and human or pollinator risks. Staff said aerial applications over outer areas are scheduled in coordination with neighboring districts and that they try to time one of their rotations 2–3 days before the Fourth of July when possible, but that applications depend on surveillance counts.

Ross explained how the program uses data thresholds and a tiered West Nile response plan. “We have a West Nile action plan broken into three risk categories,” he said, describing Level 0 (no adult activity), Level 1 (low risk, triggers larviciding and trapping), Level 2 (high risk, may include aerials and intensified adult control), and Level 3 (outbreak, may prompt expanded routing and morning/night operations). He said the city moves to each level based on trap results, positive mosquito pools, and any confirmed animal or human cases.

Presenters shared surveillance and prevalence information, noting an increase in positive Culex pools reported in the region. Ross said the percentage of positive pools in Albany County rose sharply in recent testing cycles, underscoring the need for ongoing trapping and public education.

Staff also reviewed public‑facing elements of the program: a city web page with daily updates, a hotline and contact information for residents, and a no‑spray opt‑out program that registers property lines so ULV trucks pause fogging over enrolled properties. At the time of the presentation, staff reported 99 residential addresses enrolled in the no‑spray program.

On funding, presenters said the city applies annually for the Wyoming Emergency Insect Management Grant (E‑MAG) to supplement late‑season adulticiding and trap testing specific to West Nile response; they emphasized that E‑MAG funds supplement West Nile work rather than routine nuisance control.

Mayor and council wrapped the session with operational context: the mosquito fee on the water bill is $4.89 annually, funding surveillance and the mix of control activities rather than only fogging, and the city uses a three‑product rotation for aerial applications to reduce resistance risks. Staff also noted recent staffing changes and open seasonal positions for night fogger drivers.

The council took no formal action on the presentation; staff said they will maintain surveillance, adjust treatments to data thresholds, and continue outreach to residents who have questions or wish to enroll in the no‑spray program.