By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Knox County health officials are finding a record number of mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus this summer, which means more pesticide spraying is needed in affected neighborhoods.
"We set traps in 10 locations throughout the county," said Ronnie Nease, director of environmental health at the Knox County Health Department.
The most recent testing of 20 mosquitos found six of them were carrying West Nile Virus.
"We usually average one or two at a time," Nease said.
"The chemical that we use is called Biomist 30+30. It's a synthesized permethrin, which means that it's manufactured, not naturally occurring. It's very specific for mosquitos," Nease said.
"When we started using this chemical, the Knox County Board of Health reviewed the data on it and approved the use on it, so we feel it's very safe, we just always need to be very cautious when we use any kind of a chemical," Nease said.
That's why people and their pets are asked to stay inside during the spraying.
"It's contact only. It has no residual. So if we spray tonight and you go out tomorrow, it's all gone. And if a mosquito flies into a plant that has it on it tomorrow, it doesn't die. It has to contact the mosquito itself to actually kill it," Nease said.
"It just goes a certain distance from the road. It doesn't just spread for hundreds of feet. It just has an effectiveness of a few feet on each side of the road," he said.
Most of the surrounding counties do not spray or test mosquitos for West Nile Virus.
One person in Shelby County was diagnosed with the virus last month, but that is the only reported human case in the state right now.
The Knox County Health Department said it needs your help controlling the mosquito population and the spread of West Nile. Their top tips include getting rid of standing water around your home, like in flower pots, pool covers and gutters.
Change water in birdbaths and dog bowls frequently. Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn. Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks, and use bug spray.
A truck sprayed for mosquitos in several Knox County neighborhoods last Thursday and Sunday.
