As the summer heats up, the City of Fort Collins is reminding community members to prepare for mosquitoes and take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus (WNV). This includes signing up to receive notifications for any potential mosquito spraying operations.

Fort Collins does not spray for nuisance mosquitoes or on a set schedule. Instead, spraying takes place at the recommendation of the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment when certain WNV infection thresholds are crossed. If and when that happens, the City of Fort Collins sends notifications to people who have opted in to receive them.

To receive:

• Text message notifications – text FCWNV to 888-777
• Email notifications – register at www.nocoalert.org

NOTE: Beginning this summer, spray notifications will no longer include phone calls. To ensure they continue to receive spray notifications, community members should opt in to receive text messages or update their NoCo Alert account preferences to receive email notices.

Spraying decisions are based on weekly mosquito trapping and testing data, and details of any resulting mosquito spraying are also posted on www.fcgov.com/wnv each week.

Protect Yourself With the 4Ds

Community members can also take steps to minimize the risk of contracting WNV with the 4 Ds:

• Drain: Mosquitoes breed in water. Drain any standing water each week. Bird baths, clogged gutters and kiddie pools are common breeding sites.
• Dress: Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors. Spray clothing with insect repellent since mosquitoes may bite through clothing.
• Defend: Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Use an approved repellent according to its label.
• Dusk Through Dawn: Limit time spent outdoors from dusk through dawn, when mosquitoes are most active and feeding.

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