Heads up, Durham residents: A final round of mosquito-busting is on the horizon. The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) is set to conduct truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays in certain areas to tackle the pesky West Nile virus (WNV)-carrying insects. The scheduled action comes as a response to appealing levels of WNV detected in the Trinity Park neighborhood and surrounding zones; the plan is to run these spray-sessions on the evenings of October 15 and 16, with a start time around 10 PM and winding down by 3 AM, weather permitting, of course, according to an announcement made by the DCoDPH.
This preventive strike targets a sizable swath of Durham, encompassing areas a mile out in all directions from Trinity Park, and stretching to other neighborhoods nearby such as Duke Park and Watts Hospital – Hillandale up to Interstate 85, all this follows confirmation of WNV in these locales. DCoDPH Environmental Health Director, Chris Salter indicated the gravity of the situation, stating “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.” Salter further explained the far-reaching implications of their findings, “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.” The timing of the spraying is strategic, not only to curb the present mosquito population but also to dial down the numbers for the forthcoming spring season in 2026, as per the Durham County Department of Public Health.
The plan includes using ReMoa Tri, an EPA-registered pesticide designed to target adult mosquitoes, including those resistant to pyrethroids. The spray will be applied in very small amounts—less than an ounce per acre—to reduce risks to people and the environment. Durham County health officials advise residents to stay indoors during spraying and for 15–20 minutes afterward. Windows and doors should be closed, and window-unit air conditioners should be turned off or set to “recirculate.” Pets should be brought inside, and garden produce should be rinsed before eating…