NATCHEZ —Natchez plans to ramp up its mosquito-control tactics beginning next month to clamp down on one of nature’s most notorious pests.

Thanks to a small grant from the Mississippi Department of Health, Natchez Public Works will begin using a new, truck-mounted fogger, devices utilized by pest-control workers to spread insecticides. This fogger will replace the city’s former, outdated machinery, officials say.

“The other machine was about 15 years old, so the current machine is up to date,” Natchez Public Works Supervisor Justin Dollar said. “We will be up to date with current technology.”

The grant monies will also cover additional personnel costs in order for public works employees to increase the amount of evening sprayings from twice to three times per week, beginning in April and lasting through October.

Dollar said the extra day will not only allow the department to cover more ground throughout the week, but it will also allow the department to capture more mosquitoes that the department will ship to Jackson for research testing.

Lastly, the grant will allow the city to purchase the necessary chemicals to enhance mosquito control efforts and sponsor a public service campaign to inform citizens about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and how get rid of the pesky insects.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said these new practices would go a long way toward reducing the mosquito population and preventing the spread of disease.

“We’re not going to be able to eradicate mosquitoes, but we can definitely reduce the population of mosquitoes here in the City of Natchez by way of these monies that we’ve received in this grant,” Grennell said.

In addition to Natchez Public Works’ enhanced activity, however, Grennell hopes to see Natchez residents step up their game with mosquito-control efforts as well.

While the increased sprayings will help, citizens must also survey their residences and eliminate standing water, which attracts mosquitoes.

“The more that we can reduce the mosquito population, the greater the chances we can reduce the transmission of these diseases to humans,” Grennell said.

Grennell said stopping the spread of common mosquito-borne diseases such as equine encephalitis and, more recently, Zika, would take a joint effort from both officials and the public as a whole.

The city has supplied informational handouts to all area schools as well as at George W. Armstrong Library, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Alcorn State University.