West Nile Virus & Mosquito Control Policy
Introduction to West Nile Virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is a disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It first appeared in the U.S. in 1999 in New York. It has since traveled westward across the U.S. and appears in Colorado each summer.
Although all age groups are at risk for WNV, individuals over the age of 50 and those with compromised immune systems have the highest risk of severe disease. WNV can be fatal to anybody, regardless of age or health. Fortunately, you can take appropriate prevention measures to help protect yourself.
There are no vaccines or treatments for the virus, so the best way to ensure safety is to prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes.
Although less than 1% of infected people will develop severe illness, people over 50 are especially vulnerable to the severe forms of this virus.
Community members can report potential mosquito breeding areas to Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) or by calling 970-278-9977
1. Drain: Mosquitoes breed in water. Drain any standing water in your yard each week. Bird baths, clogged gutters, and kiddie pools are common breeding sites.
2. Dress: Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors. Spray clothing with insect repellent since mosquitos may bite through clothing.
3. Defend: Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Use an approved repellent according to its label.
4. Dawn/Dusk: Limit time spent outdoors at dusk through dawn, when mosquitoes are most active and feeding.
Other preventative measures:
-Stay clear of long grasses, wetlands, shrubs and grassy shores
-Repair window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
-Trim bushes away from the ground to allow for air flow and reduction of dampness
-Leave dead birds where you find them and call 1.877.462.2911
No Data has been collected at this time.
Mosquito Control Safety
The Town of Berthoud is very concerned about protecting its residents from potential infection and also sensitive to the worries some may have regarding mosquito control. The issues of West Nile virus prevention and an emergency mosquito control policy are often controversial.
Berthoud has partnerships with Colorado State University, the Larimer County Department of Health, and Vector Disease Control International to address the problems of both the West Nile Virus and emergency mosquito control measures
The Town does not currently spray for mosquitos on a regular, scheduled frequency. The Town monitors the West Nile vector index to determine when to spray for mosquitos. If the vector index exceeds .75 for the consecutive weeks, the Town Board will meet to determine if spraying will occur. Larvicide efforts are ongoing and do occur on a regular basis. Larvicide helps reduce adult mosquito populations by targeting mosquito larvae in their breeding habitat before they can mature into adult mosquitos and disperse.