Area mosquito spraying businesses in hot demand

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The threat of triple-e remains a concern across our region and many extermination companies are working to address a sharp rise in calls to spray for mosquitoes, the vectors of the rare but deadly disease.

With sprayers fired up and ready to go, pest control companies are making sure their gear is in tip-top shape to respond to calls for mosquitoes.

“There has been a significant change. We have some of these customers calling us back and saying, ‘Hey, let’s get back on the schedule. We want this service because we don’t want any of these viruses that are spreading from the mosquitoes,’” said Ian Gordon with Vermont Pest Control.

In the last couple of weeks, the threat of eastern equine encephalitis has expanded in parts of Vermont, including in parts of Rutland, Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties, and businesses like Gordon’s have seen their calls double to spray properties. “We want to make sure that we’re trimming back the vegetation around the house — the dark areas – pay attention to those, and if you have standing water or anything around your property,” Gordon said.

He says the pesticides they use are EPA-certified and stick to the vegetation and that they are not harmful to pets or people. He says they can only spray when the wind speeds are low.

The state in the past has contracted for aerial spraying of trouble spots but no decision has been made on whether to do that this season.

“There is a real risk, but it’s a small risk. I don’t want people to be over alarmed but I also want people to know how to keep themselves safe in easy ways,” said Dr. Tim Lahey, an infectious disease expert at the UVM Medical Center. He says symptoms of triple-e include fever, headache, and vomiting and that the disease can be deadly.

New Hampshire officials reported last week that an infected resident died. In Vermont, health officials say a man in his 40s from Chittenden County was the first detected case of the virus in Vermont since 2012. They recommend using insect repellent if you do need to be outside. In high-risk areas — Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, Swanton, and Sudbury — they suggest wearing long sleeves and long pants or avoiding spending time outside at dawn and dusk.

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