The Air Force won't be able to spray for mosquitoes tonight over Grand Forks and East Grand Forks after all, city officials said.
The spraying was canceled for a second straight day because of mechanical issues.
The city will go ahead and spray, however, with its own equipment on Thursday night. The spray will be applied both by pickup-mounted foggers and by Airborne Custom Spraying, the city's usual aerial contractor.
Today's average mosquito trap count is only 39, but health officials want to keep mosquito populations low since West Nile virus is showing up in the area. One human case has been reported in Polk County, Minn., and North Dakota officials are expected later today to announce a West Nile death somewhere in North Dakota.
The product used for spraying mosquitoes is deemed safe for residential areas, according to the Grand Forks Public Information Office, although it also will kill other beneficial insects.
