Mosquito Control Program

1

For the protection of our citizens, the City of Tifton has entered into a two-year contract with Astro Exterminating services of Tifton to spray every street in Tifton monthly, beginning in April 2025. 

When will spraying take place?

Mosquito spraying will take place April through November in Tifton during the evening hours in 2025 and 2026.

Spraying typically takes place on Thursdays, but this day is subject to change based on weather conditions. 

The schedule of monthly spraying is as follows for each Council District: 

The schedule of each monthly spraying is as follows for each Council District:

Week 1 -- District 1

Week 2 – District 2

Week 3 – District 3

Week 4 – District 4 

*Evening hours of spraying are estimated from 7-10pm to be closer to 'dusk dark.' Please note these times can vary each month depending on several factors.*

Council Districts Map - 2024

*In the event of inclement weather conditions on evenings of scheduled spraying, Astro may spray at dawn instead. 

Bti Dunks

The City of Tifton uses Bti dunks in areas with standing water to control the mosquito population. 

Mosquito dunks are a formulation of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). This method of mosquito control kills any larvae that hatch in standing water. 

Why spray?

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, spreading diseases like Malaria, Dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis.1 Every year, there are more than 700,000 deaths caused by vector-borne diseases globally.2 Last year in the U.S., the CDC reported 1,466 cases of West Nile virus, with 53 of those cases in Georgia alone.3 

Mosquitoes can especially be a problem in humid southern cities like Tifton.

Mosquito truck spraying is safe, and when professionally and correctly applied, Environmental Protection Agency-registered insecticides do not pose a risk to humans, pets, animals or the environment. It is not necessary for citizens to stay inside when spraying takes place, but they can if they prefer. The spray does not harm pets, but citizens can bring them inside when spraying occurs if they would like.4 

1: CDC, 2024, August 14 – Fighting the World’s Deadliest Animal https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/impact/fighting-the-worlds-deadliest-animal.html

2: WHO, 2024, September 26 – Vector-borne diseases https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases

3: CDC, 2025, January 14 -- Current Year Data https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/current-year-data.html

4: CDC, 2020, July 21 -- https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/pdfs/truck-spraying-508.pdf

What else can citizens do to help?

Citizens can further reduce the mosquito population near their homes and businesses by dumping any standing water, as this is where mosquitoes breed.

2


Press and Information Releases from the City of Tifton regarding Mosquito Control -

April 2, 2025 - Press Release Announcing Spraying

May 1, 2025 - Press Release Regarding Astro Extermination's 100% Compliance with GA Dpt of Ag