No matter how much chemical is sprayed, there is no way to eliminate the mosquitoes in Blytheville, said Allen Loe, president of VCDI, the company contracted by the city to control mosquitoes.
The reason, Loe explained, is because federal law decides what types of chemicals can be used and how much chemical can be applied.
"We can only use four types of chemicals and spray only so much of it," he said. "The stuff you put on your dog's neck for fleas is stronger."
The limits are there to protect people from the adverse effects of the chemicals, but the limited strength and amount of the chemicals is not enough to completely rid the area of the pests.
Some breeds of the mosquitoes are developing an immunity to some of the chemical combinations, Loe said, which only adds to the problem.
One resident asked about the safety of being outside while spraying is being done. The chemicals are safe for humans and pets, Loe said. "If you don't have six legs, it's not going to hurt you."
Some people do have an allergic reaction to the mineral oil that is used to mix and spray the chemicals, but those reactions are normally minor, he said.
The city is broken into zones and each zone is sprayed often. The spraying does not begin until actual mosquitoes are seen.
"We must spray when mosquitoes are active," Loe said. "It doesn't do any good to spray if they're not there."
Areas where water can stand are treated to help prevent mosquito breeding, explained Tim Nelson, local VCDI employee. But the spray used is most effective on live mosquitoes, he said.
While the company cannot possibly kill all mosquitoes, the numbers have greatly decreased, Loe said.
"If you spent the entire city budget on mosquito control, you won't get them all," Loe said.
The company welcomes questions and comments, Nelson said.
"We want to make sure everybody's happy," he said.
For more information on the mosquito control program, call Nelson at 532-9102.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com