Editor,

It has been brought to my attention that there are some questions and possibly concerns with the modification to our mosquito control efforts this year.  Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to address the items I have heard.

This year we have been receiving numerous calls that we are spraying too much.

Therefore, in July we stopped spraying the alleys and only sprayed the streets. This modification seemed to help with the complaints, so we have continued that practice.

Operationally we have changed out the Do Not Spray signs to reflect the current route patterns used by our drivers. With this particular complaint people were suggesting that we changed our spray machines or use different chemicals. Neither are correct.

Each year in April, we send our sprayer to have them droplet tested and certified. Once this is done, we do not change our chemical and we do not modify the spray of the machines. This third-party certification ensures that the machines we use are putting out the correct spray droplet size and amount per the manufacturer's recommended dose. We absolutely do not modify this.

Our operators are trained, and they are provided with a log for their use each night they spray. This includes their beginning time and ending time. They are also instructed to clock in and out on our City time management system. This is done to ensure that each spray is the same every week. We will continue with the chemical,  Fyfanlon, for the remainder of the season.

Our starting spray time remains the same at 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Each week, the City is divided into two halves so one operator is on the westside of town and the other begins at the Veterean’s Waste Water Facility on the eastside of town and they work toward the center of town. They are limited to drive no faster than 5-10 mph while spraying and cannot spray if wind conditions are more than 7 mph or if it is raining.

We are anticipating operations to continue until Sept. 15. After that we will only spray the lagoons. Our “Do Not Spray” list is a courtesy measure we use to try and address the differing opinions on mosquito control.

Future plans. As with all things, we are continuing to look at ways to improve and to ensure the means justify the results. With the help of a citizens group, we are in the final stages of a community-wide survey in regard to mosquito control. We will launch the survey on Sept. 7, and it will remain active until Oct. 7. We will at that time compile the results and hold a series of community meetings to talk mosquitos. Similar to the snow policy meetings held a few years ago, our goal is to gain a better understanding of the community’s desire when it comes to mosquito control.

The City has been doing the same process for a decade and we need to get your opinion and understand our residents' desire on this process. We are hoping for a large turnout. The survey will be on the City’s website — https://cityofmontevista.colorado.gov/and on our Facebook Page — www.facebook.com/cityofmontevista.

Robert Vance

City of Monte Vista Public Works Director