ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- Have you been wondering why mosquito sprayers haven’t been frequenting your neighborhood this season. There’s a simple explanation for that.

Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy reported at Monday morning’s Council meeting that residents who need their neighborhood sprayed for the pesky, disease-carrying insect, must call the city first.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, according to a mandate handed down from the Federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency, now requires that the city has to file paperwork citing a need before spraying can be done.

“It has to be initiated by the residents or we cannot come out,” Murphy said, adding that residents not only have to report seeing mosquitos, but have to report being bitten by them. “Then we can file the necessary paperwork and take care of the problem.”

Murphy said if the proper channels are not followed, the city would face stiff penalties.

And it’s not just in Robertsdale. Municipal and county governments throughout the United States fall under the Federal mandate, which is part of the Clean Management Act.

In Robertsdale, mosquito infestation should be reported to the city’s Public Works department at 251-947-8950. If you live outside of Robertsdale, contact your local municipality or the county to find out how to report mosquito infestation in your area.