When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners reached a consensus to discontinue a program that sprays for mosquitoes in neighborhoods.
But the city manager will have the authority to authorize the use of the mosquito spraying equipment if he deems it necessary.
Last month, two entomologists visited with city commissioners about the city’s mosquito spraying program. They had been invited to meet with commissioners after some residents expressed concern about the program.
Jeff Whitworth, an entomologist with Kansas State University, told commissioners that the spraying may provide relief from mosquitoes for a couple of hours, but the program will not put a big dent in the city’s mosquito population.
In addition to mosquito spraying, the city of Leavenworth also uses larvicide to kill mosquitoes in the larval stage.
Whitworth told commissioners that larvicide programs will help control mosquito populations. Public Works Director Mike McDonald said the problem with the larvicide program is that city employees cannot go onto private property. He said the program is limited to properties under the control of the city.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)