Fort Collins to spray for West Nile virus mosquitoes Sunday night

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Updated ·2 min read

A high level of West Nile-infected Culex mosquitoes has prompted the city of Fort Collins to schedule a second section of the city to be sprayed.

The city will spray the northeast section of Fort Collins on Sunday, July 30, weather permitting. The spraying comes one week after it sprayed the city's south section due to traps identifying high numbers of infected mosquitoes.

Spraying occurs in the city when certain thresholds are met regarding infected mosquitoes trapped in an area.

Weather permitting, fogging trucks will work from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. within these general boundaries:

  • College Avenue/Colorado Highway 1

  • Douglas Road

  • Giddings Road

  • Mountain Vista Drive

  • Interstate 25

  • Drake Road

To see the spraying map and track fogging trucks, visit www.fcgov.com/westnile/.

To minimize pesticide exposure, residents and their pets should stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed for 30 to 60 minutes after spraying. Residents can further minimize pesticide exposure by covering organic gardens, ponds and water features with a sheet or tarp.

Fort Collins mosquito spraying map for July 30, 2023.
Fort Collins mosquito spraying map for July 30, 2023.

Colorado reports first human case of West Nile virus this year

Colorado recently reported its first human case of West Nile virus occurred in LaPlata County in far southwest Colorado, according to a July 24 Colorado health department news release.

Seven counties, including Larimer and Weld have reported infected mosquitoes this year

Last year statewide, 20 people died of West Nile virus, the most since 2003. Larimer County reported 15 cases of the virus in humans in 2022.

Larimer County has reported the most West Nile virus cases in humans of any Colorado county with 1,012 from 2003, when reporting started, through 2022. The last West Nile virus death in the county came in 2021.

More: When cities spray for mosquitoes The threat of West Nile virus is rapidly rising in Larimer County

What you can do to reduce mosquitoes and their bites

  • Culex mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as water as in a water bottle cap. Drain items such as bird baths, containers and kiddie pools.

  • Use DEET or other effective mosquito repellent.

  • Avoid exposure during peak Culex mosquito feeding times, which are dusk through dawn.

  • Wear long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Northeast Fort Collins next up for West Nile virus mosquito spraying