Mosquitoes have been cussed, discussed and described in written detail since the first explorers traveled through the area now known as Louisiana. Because of their need for blood from human or animal hosts, mosquitoes have historically caused misery and suffering to Louisiana citizens and visitors alike. To ease some of this suffering the Jefferson Davis Parish Mosquito Abatement District No. 1 was formed in 1979.
JDPMAD uses an Integrated Pest Management program to control mosquitoes. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is defined as, a planned program that coordinates economically and environmentally acceptable methods of pest control with the judicious and minimal use of toxic pesticides. Included in this program is, disease and mosquito surveillance, larviciding and adulticiding, source reduction, and public education programs. IPM programs are based on a careful assessment of local conditions, including such factors as climate, the biology of the pest species, and government regulations.
Jeff Davis parish has a population of approximately 31,435 and covers 652 square miles of land and 6.3 square miles of water. The parish consists of about 80,000 acres of rice which is prime mosquito habitat. JDPMAD consist of 9 fulltime employees and several part-time employees. We are equipped with 8 spray trucks and 2 airplanes that are used to spray the adult mosquitoes in the towns and rural areas. The times we spray are in the late evening and occasionally in the early morning.
Through surveillance we determine when and where spraying is needed. Surveillance consists of landing rates, (standing in one area for a minute to see how many mosquitoes land on them) and light trap collections, which determines the adult populations in the area. We also monitor roadside ditches for larval population. Using two larviciding units to spray roadside ditches we are able to stop the larvae from hatching in to pesky biting mosquitoes. We are equipped with 2 ATV mules used for spraying the adult mosquitoes around schools, recreational facilities, and other community events.
Mosquitoes have been cussed, discussed and described in written detail since the first explorers traveled through the area now known as Louisiana. Because of their need for blood from human or animal hosts, mosquitoes have historically caused misery and suffering to Louisiana citizens and visitors alike. To ease some of this suffering the Jefferson Davis Parish Mosquito Abatement District No. 1 was formed in 1979. 
Jeff Davis parish has a population of approximately 31,435 and covers 652 square miles of land and 6.3 square miles of water. The parish consists of about 80,000 acres of rice which is prime mosquito habitat. JDPMAD consist of 9 fulltime employees and several part-time employees. We are equipped with 8 spray trucks and 2 airplanes that are used to spray the adult mosquitoes in the towns and rural areas. The times we spray are in the late evening and occasionally in the early morning.
