By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster residents soon will see a slow-moving, early morning visitor in their neighborhoods, as the city started spraying for mosquitoes on May 13.

Through the program, a city sprayer truck will travel through the city each week throughout the summer to spread insecticide in an effort to control Alabaster’s mosquito population.

The truck will follow roughly the same route as the city’s curbside debris pickup vehicle, and will spray each day from 4-7 a.m., according to City Manager George Henry.

Henry encouraged residents to also take steps to control pests at their homes.

“We have an active program of spraying, but this does not totally eliminate all issues with certain situations, and you may need to take additional actions to help control for personal concerns,” Henry wrote on the city’s Facebook page. “Please help us by taking proactive steps within your own property to mitigate risk factors for mosquito infestations.”

Eliminating standing water areas around homes can help combat mosquitoes and other pests, Henry said.