Zika virus fears create demand for mosquito spraying

New concerns about the Zika virus have triggered a bump in business for Chris Cookman, who straps chemicals on his back to spray for mosquitoes across Middle Georgia.

“There have certainly been some concern about Zika for the people who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant,” said Cookman, a Mosquito Joe franchise owner. “There has been an uptick in business because of Zika.”

While Zika is primarily spread by mosquitoes, once someone is infected it can be passed on through sex, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can also be transmitted to the fetus of a pregnant woman, causing serious birth defects.

Macon-Bibb County has increased spraying in and around the area’s 30 zones, as they spray two zones every night Monday through Thursday, said Deo Oliver, Macon-Bibb’s mosquito coordinator.

“We are very concerned about the Zika virus. What we have done is put out along with the health department information on the Zika virus,” Oliver said. “We have increased spraying since the scare of the virus.”

Cookman said that while he has seen an uptick in business due to the Zika virus, most of his customers just want to enjoy their backyards.

He sprays the yard with one of two mixtures: an all-natural solution with garlic juice and a chemical-based product, killing the mosquitoes throughout the yard, in standing water and the areas where they breed.

Mosquito Joe charges between $59-$79 depending on the size of the job, and the spray is supposed to last at least three weeks before it begins to break down and the customer will need to have the yard sprayed again.

People sometimes call them for special occasions or if they plan to spend time outside or at their pools, Cookman said.

The health department has started a new campaign to help battle the prevalence of mosquitoes in people’s yards called “Tip and Toss.” It’s meant to encourage people not to leave standing water in their yards, which allows for breeding of mosquitoes.

Oliver says that Macon-Bibb sprayers use a mosquito “donut,” a solution named for its shape, to put in standing water around Macon-Bibb, which eliminates the mosquito’s breeding ground.

Those concerned about their health do not have anything to fear as the chemicals they use are not harmful to anything but the mosquitoes that it targets, he said. Oliver says that residents can check the website to see the chemical that they use called “biomist.” He encourages those who may have trouble breathing or are worried to call and be put on a notify list so they will know when there will be spraying in their area.

Residents can call 478-621-5888 to be put on the notify list or to find out which zones will be sprayed that day. He encourages people to check their website at www.maconbibb.us/public-works/ to find spraying zones.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Zika virus fears create demand for mosquito spraying."