Pesticide Applications
The City of Cheyenne Weed and Pest applies insecticides and herbicides only when necessary, to protect the integrity and resilience of our urban ecosystem, and our communities health.
Mosquito season is upon us, and the Weed and Pest has started mosquito mitigation efforts around the city. We will regularly be treating mosquito habitat to prevent the aquatic-stage mosquitoes from becoming biting adults. You will see employees in hi-vis vests applying product from motorized backpack blowers. We will continue treating through September. Information on our larval mosquito control is below.
ULV Truck Spraying Applications
When West Nile Virus positive rates and/or mosquito populations are elevated, we will treat problematic areas with truck mounted equipment at night to reduce adult mosquitoes populations.
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This process is called ULV (ultra-low volume) spraying, where a very minimal amount of insecticide (think 2oz) will be misted in tiny droplets over a large area (think a football field). Those droplets will float and hang in the air, waiting for a tiny mosquito to fly through them. We spray only when mosquitoes are active, and very few other insects are.
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All applications are on a weather permitting basis. Winds in excess of 8-10mph or temperatures below 60F will halt operations. Crews will attempt to resume operations the following evening.​
For more information, visit the Center of Disease Controls page on truck spraying for mosquitoes.
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Spraying trucks will be going at slow speeds and have strobe lights on. To maintain the safety of employees and residents, trucks will not stop to answer questions. If you have questions or concerns about Weed and Pest ULV applications please contact us at 307-637-6475 or email us at weedandpest@cheyennecity.org
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Larval Mosquito Treatments
Weed and Pest monitors over 700 sites around Cheyenne that have the potential to produce mosquitoes. We primarily use a bacteria product (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is naturally found in the soil, to control the larval-stage mosquitoes when they ingest it. This is quick-acting but not persistent, so we apply it frequently. BTI does not harm fish or other aquatic life
We also use a longer-lasting growth regulator (methoprene) product that disrupts the life cycle of the mosquito, so it fails to emerge as an adult.
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We are applying these products throughout the mosquito season, usually from April to October. You will see employees in high-visibility vests applying these products from motorized backpacks into stagnant ponds, ditches, creeks, and culverts around town. ​
Herbicide Applications
The Weed and Pest monitors invasive and noxious weeds around town, and will treat only city-owned property when necessary. The county and state maintains an invasive plant list, that threaten native vegetation. We also use mechanical and biological methods to manage weeds.
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Herbicides will be applied when necessary to control designated noxious weeds on City owned property. All applications are on a weather permitting basis.
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​​To see products used to treat noxious and invasive weeds, navigate to our resources page.
To learn more about our integrated invasive weed management, navigate to our about page.
