Click Here For A Map Of The Spray Areas. 

Durham, NC - The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) will be conducting the final truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control spraying on two days next week, during the evening hours of October 15 and 16, weather permitting, in the following areas:

• Targeted areas (see a map here): Trinity Park neighborhood and areas approximately one mile north, south, east and west. South of Stadium Heights, east to Colonial Village, Duke Park, and Old North Durham. South to HWY 147 and west to Old West Durham and Watts Hospital – Hillandale up to Interstate 85.  This area is being targeted following confirmation of West Nile virus (WNV) in the area. 
• Date: Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 16.  These dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
• Time: Approximately 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM

 

“Ultra-low volume spraying was urged by our colleagues at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services after Durham saw unprecedented levels of WNV here this year,” said DCoDPH Environmental Health director Chris Salter. "We had one-third of all human neuroinvasive cases and half of all WNV-positive mosquitoes in the entire state of North Carolina, largely concentrated in the Trinity Park area where we’re conducting the spraying. And we know that for every one confirmed neuroinvasive case, there are about 100-150 who were actually infected but were asymptomatic or only had mild symptoms, so it’s likely our three confirmed neuroinvasive cases actually represent more than 300-450 people actually infected. Spraying is being done at this time not only to reduce current populations of WNV-carrying mosquitoes, but this process will also reduce their populations next year."

 

Although mosquito populations are expected to become less prevalent soon as weather cools, spraying at this time works to reduce mosquito populations when warm weather returns in the spring of 2026. 

 

“Because we saw extremely high levels of WNV-positive mosquitoes, in conversation with the state we jointly determined that it is critically important to get control of our WNV-positive mosquito population now to avoid seeing rates that are similar or worse next year, and this was the most effective method determined to do so,” said Salter. 

 

 

About the treatment

 

The product being used is ultra-low volume of ReMoa Tri, an EPA-registered insecticide specifically labeled for controlling adult susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes. The spray is applied in a fine mist and targets adult mosquitoes when they are most active during the cooler evening hours. The low application rate of less than one ounce per acre minimizes risk to people and the environment. Although people are unlikely to experience health effects due to the ultra-low rate of application, there are safety steps routinely recommended during the application of ReMoa Tri or any insecticide out of an abundance of caution:  

 

• Stay indoors during the spray application in your area and for at least 15–20 minutes afterward. 
• Keep windows and doors closed. Turn off window-unit air conditioners or set them to "recirculate" mode. Central air conditioning units, which do not draw in outside air, can remain on.
• Bring pets inside and cover ornamental fish ponds to avoid direct exposure.
• Rinse any homegrown vegetables thoroughly with water just as you normally would before cooking or eating them.
• Avoid contact with outdoor surfaces that are still wet from the spray. If contact occurs, wash exposed skin with soap and water.

 

Other important information

 

• Health concerns: Although the risk from this spraying is low due to the ultra-low volume of the application, individuals with chemical sensitivities or pre-existing health conditions that may be aggravated by the spray should consult their physician with any concerns.
• Bees and other pollinators: We will attempt to stop spraying when approaching beekeeper properties, and spraying at night helps further reduce impact to bee populations, as bees are generally in their hives at these hours and protected from the applications.

 

 

For more information about West Nile virus, visit the NCDHHS website here or the CDC website here. 

 

Learn more about preventing mosquito bites on the CDC website here.