By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Since the water receded in the River Parishes after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the mosquito population is at an abnormal high. A concerted effort is being made on state and local levels to try and pare down the numbers of the disease-carrying insects.

Governor Bobby Jindal announced recently that a plan is in place to use C-130 cargo jets from the Air Force reserve to do more aerial spraying in several parishes. The planes are specially equipped with a modular aerial spray system.

Officials in St. John and St. Charles Parish said mosquito control crews implemented a heavier dose of mosquito spraying and larvacide treatment in the weeks following the storms.

“We did some aerial spraying on both the East and West Bank of the parishes and our spraying trucks have been out seven days a week canvassing areas with higher water,” said Steve Pavlovich, an Entomologist with Mosquito Control. “There are also some isolated pockets of standing water that we have treated with mosquito larvacide to get them before they grow.”

St. John Public Information Officer Buddy Boe said mosquito crews increased aerial spraying and truck spraying immediately following the storms, but the spraying has since slowed now that water has receded back into Lake Pontchartrain.

“The insects are still a concern, but the problem is starting to correct itself,” Boe said. “We are starting to get back to regular spraying, sample collection and monitoring.”

According to a release from the governor regarding his mosquito-spraying plan, the spraying poses no threat to humans, animals or plants and will not rain down on residents. To remain completely free of insecticide contact, it is recommended that the public stay indoors during times of spraying, or wear long sleeved clothing and pants. Spraying is usually done around dusk, when the mosquito population is most active.