The Mission of the East Baton Rouge Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control is to reduce populations of annoying and potential disease bearing pests.

FEMA Force Account Labor Summary Record

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Rodent Control | Residential Mosquito Control
Night Spray Operations | Aerial Spray Operations
Entire Organization

RODENT CONTROL

Does your department control squirrels or nutria? 

No we do not control any game animals such as squirrels, raccoons or nutria. You can call a commercial pest control company that is specially licensed for these types of pests.  You can also call the State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for information on nuisance game animals. 

Can you treat the vacant lot next door for rodent problems? 

Yes, we can if the circumstances allow us to place rodenticides in such a way that neighborhood children, pets and non-target animals are prevented from any contact with these baits. 

Why do rodents keep returning to my home? 

Rodents will take advantage of any situation where there is a food /water source and/or harborage (shelter).  Homeowners need to seal any openings in their house to prevent rodents from entering.

Does someone have to be home in order to receive rodenticide bait? 

Yes.  In order to receive the rodenticide bait, someone at least 16 years of age must sign for the bait indicating they have been informed of the proper procedures for its usage.

Can you provide me with non-lethal methods to control rodents? 

Yes.  We can temporarily loan residents live traps to control rodents.

Residential Mosquito Control

Are the chemicals dangerous to humans, pets and plants?

No, not when used properly. The chemicals we use are approved by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry for control of insect pests.  The chemicals can be harmful to some fish species such as koi and goldfish.  For more information you can contact our department’s biologists.

What precautions can I take to protect myself from West Nile Virus? 

Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning and evening hours. Wear long sleeves and pants and use an insect repellent that has been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends products with either DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023) as the active ingredients. Products with oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3, 8-diol) have also been demonstrated to provide protection similar to low concentrations of DEET.

Can you treat my residence on a regular basis without receiving a request from me?

No.  You need to call for each inspection and treatment so we can insure all the appropriate precautions are met and we have current information on the pest problem.

Why do I still have mosquito problems in the winter?

In Louisiana we have mosquito activity throughout the year.  Some species are present primarily during the cooler months.

Do I have to be home for your department to spray my residence?

No.  If you have taken the appropriate precautions such as removing your pets, closing the windows and turning off any window unit air-conditioners, we can inspect and treat your residence.

What type of chemicals does your department use for treating residences? 

We use synthetic pyrethroid insecticides that are specifically formulated to control flying insect pests such as mosquitoes.

I have a large canal near my residence.  Is this the source of my mosquito problems?

In most cases large canals and ditches are not sites for prolific mosquito breeding.  The reason is that these bodies of water typically contain sufficient predator populations, particularly fish, that act to control mosquito breeding.  Many mosquito problems around residences are due to mosquitoes breeding in standing water and containers around the home.

NIGHT SPRAY OPERATIONS

Are the chemicals used in the spray trucks harmful? 

No, not when used properly. The chemicals we use are approved by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry for control of insect pests.  The chemicals can be harmful to some fish species such as koi and goldfish.  For more information you can contact our department’s biologists or night spray supervisor.

Is the spray safe to breathe? 

The very small concentrations, about .007 pounds per acre, will not cause adverse effects for most people.  Persons who have severe allergies should avoid the spray however.  And you shouldn’t run or follow behind the spray truck, as this would increase your exposure.

Why does one area of the parish get sprayed more often than the others?

One area may get sprayed more often if we determine from our surveillance activities that either large numbers of mosquitoes are present, or that disease has been detected in that area in either bird or mosquito populations.

Why do you spray my neighborhood in the evening when everyone is out in the yard or jogging? 

We spray in the evening because research has demonstrated that this the time when mosquito flight activity is greatest.  It is much easier to kill mosquitoes by contact with the insecticides when they are flying.

I raise honeybees.  How can I prevent the spray truck treatments from affecting my colony? 

You can contact our office and tell the Night Spray Supervisor your colony’s location.  He will map that area specifically as a no spray zone.

How secure are your spray trucks? 

Our entire compound is fenced and locked.  The spray trucks are also kept in a locked bay at night.

How late do the spray trucks operate?

The spray truck operations are typically run until 11 p.m.

I don’t see any spray coming from the truck.  Are you applying insecticides in my neighborhood? 

Yes, but the spray truck driver may drive without the sprayer in operation so that he can position the unit in such a way to prevent a double application on your street.

AERIAL SPRAY OPERATIONS

How can we know when the airplane will be spraying our area? 

You can check with the local news broadcasts at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Our departmental personnel can notify chemically sensitive individuals when we will be conducting spray operations in their area. For more information contact our department's biologists.

What type of chemical is sprayed from the airplane? 

Naled, an organophosphate insecticide that has been used for decades in mosquito control.

How high does the airplane fly when spraying?

250 to 300 feet.

ENTIRE ORGANIZATION

Will your department pick up a dead bird at my residence? 

Yes, if the bird is freshly killed and has no signs of trauma or decay. We are primarily interested in blue jays, cardinals and crows. These are the only species that the Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals will test. We do not pick up chickens, pigeons, or other domestic birds.

Do you have staff members that will give talks to schools, civic organizations, etc.? 

Yes.  You can contact our office for more information.

How can I get a “mosquito kit” for my science class? 

You can contact our office for mosquito kits.