The Mosquito Surveillance Department of Vector Control is currently monitoring West Nile Virus activity on a daily basis through trapping and testing of mosquitoes. Additional trapping has been set up to suppress mosquito populations and curb the progression of the virus in Shelby County. In addition to surveillance activities, the larviciding crews have been scheduled starting in April in all areas of Shelby County to target the mosquito populations in the beginning life stages.

The Shelby County Health Department’s Mosquito Control Program routinely traps and tests mosquitoes for the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) as a part of a comprehensive program to limit the spread of the virus through Shelby County. 

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes. SCHD monitors the presence of the virus in the county’s mosquito populations each summer by trapping and testing mosquitoes throughout the county for the virus. The virus has so far been detected in mosquitoes in the following zip codes: 38122, 38117, 38120, 38119, 38115, 38118, 38018, 38028, 38017, 38139, 38016, 38002, 38053 See map: https://arcg.is/0DnLDK0

Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus to humans when they bite them. Residents of zip codes where the virus has been detected are advised to be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites in order to prevent West Nile Virus, which can cause serious illness.   

Since February of this year, the Shelby County Health Department’s Mosquito Control Program has treated areas by applying larvicides to standing bodies of water. These actions are consistent with efforts to be proactive in decreasing the adult mosquito population. Larviciding is the practice of applying an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insecticide to areas where mosquito breeding has been confirmed. It is the most effective way of eliminating mosquito populations. Please view our ArcGIS story map that details our mosquito control prevention work.    The virus is expected to spread throughout the County by late fall.

Shelby County Health Department's Mosquito Control Program will conduct mosquito control activities, including truck-mounted spraying (adulticiding) of EPA-approved insecticides, weather permitting*, in portions of specific zip codes, according to the following schedule:

Week of October 3, 2022

Monday, October 3, 2022 38122,38117, 38120, 3819, 38118, 38115
Tuesday, October 4, 2022   38018, 38028, 38017, 38028, 38139
Wednesday, October 5, 2022  38016, 38018, 38028
Thursday, October 6, 2022 38002, 38053

*To ensure the insecticide is most effective, the scheduled spraying will be canceled if any of the following weather conditions are present for a majority of the spray schedule time:

• Rain chance of 65% or greater 
• Wind speeds 11mph or greater 
• Temperature less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit 

Because the presence of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Shelby County, the Shelby County Health Department urges all residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites. We call these precautions the 4 D’s:

• DEFEND yourself by using insect repellent with DEET. Follow label instructions.
• DRESS in long sleeves and pants. Wear loose and light colored clothing when outdoors.
• DUSK/DAWN is the time when mosquitoes are most active. Stay indoors.
• DRAIN standing water and install or repair window screens.

Shelby County residents are valuable partners with public health in the fight against mosquitoes.  Eliminating mosquito-breeding sites around homes and businesses is crucial to controlling our mosquito problem.  Any object that collects rainwater is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The Health Department encourages all residents to take the following measures to control mosquito populations around their homes and businesses:

• Clean rain gutters and downspouts
• Discard old tires or store inside where rain water cannot collect inside of tires
• Discard tin cans, buckets – any container that might collect water
• Empty and refill pets’ water bowls at least every few days
• Empty, clean and refill birdbaths, “drip plates” underneath flower pots and small wading pools weekly.