If you live in Douglas County and want to know when to prepare for mosquito treatment in your neighborhood, there’s an app for that.
The Douglas County Mosquito Abatement District, or DCMAD, launched its new DC Mosquito app to notify neighbors when they’ve scheduled mosquito fogging in their area.
“We try and get them at least a 24-hour notice,” said Krista Jenkins, District Manager, DCMAD. “Sometimes we can go for 48-hour notice. Typically, it's 24 hours, that it will be happening."
Jenkins said another notification will be sent out if the treatment is canceled due to weather.
The district partnered with GoGov to build an app with notifications tailored to where you live.
It works like this: once you download the app, click the three lines in the top-left corner and select "notifications." In the top right, go to settings. Next, you'll need to create an account. Then, you can select which areas you'd like to receive notifications for. Every area is selected by default, so don't forget this step.
You can download DC Mosquito by scanning the QR code above with a mobile device. Courtesy: Dougals County Mosquito Abatement District
The app also has information on mosquitoes in our area and how to protect yourself from them.
Jenkins said it works well with another way they let people know.
'“I can have the HOA people that I work with download the app and they can also reach out to their community, which we do anyway,” she said. “But this way they have it's kind of double coverage".”
Jenkins said these notifications will especially help people with health issues and others who rely on it, like beekeepers.
“Because the beekeepers change location of their hives all the time, it's virtually impossible for us to know where they are all the time,” she said. “There is going to be a little area for them so they can be notified so they can prepare their hives as necessary for what they feel is correct for their hives.”
The district uses a low-volume spray that dissipates quickly once they pass through the neighborhood. Jenkins said in most cases, you’ll just need to stay inside for one hour.
“We recommend if you feel comfortable, close your windows and your door screens,” she said. “It's not necessary, but if you feel comfortable, take your pets inside. Whatever you feel is necessary to help protect yourself."
You can download the DC Mosquito app using the QR code above or by clicking here on a mobile device. You’ll be routed directly to either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, depending on what kind of phone you have.
