County Takes to the Sky, Again, to Fight Mosquitoes

 

San Diego County’s Vector Control Program is scheduled to conduct a routine mosquito-fighting, aerial larvicide drop on June 26 and 27 on around 50 rivers, streams, ponds, and other waterways in the county to kill mosquito larvae.

This includes applying a mosquito-reducing larvicide by helicopter in the Tijuana River Valley. This is the second larvicide drop by helicopter in this area this month as a precaution because some standing water was found that can support mosquito breeding.

Due to the unusual standing water here following the winter storms, Vector Control crews have also been hard at work doing mosquito surveillance and larvicide treatments by ground in the area.

Applying the larvicide by helicopter treats hard-to-reach areas, in addition to truck or hand applications, to reduce these pests and their risk for spreading diseases, such as West Nile virus.

The larvicide is safe and eco-friendly. It does not hurt people or pets but kills mosquito larvae before they can grow into adult biting mosquitoes.

Larvicide drops, during the mosquito season (usually April-October), are just one part of Vector Control’s Integrated Vector Management Strategy. County Vector Control monitors over 1,600 potential mosquito-breeding areas each year and applies larvicide through aerial drops, boats, trucks, and hand-crews.

It also gives out free mosquito-eating fish to the public, tracks down and treats neglected swimming pools, tests dead birds for West Nile virus, and monitors mosquito populations countywide for potential mosquito-borne illnesses.

Fortunately, there have been no locally contracted West Nile virus cases in humans reported this year. Last year and early this year, some local mosquitoes and birds tested positive for the virus, but Vector Control efforts helped prevent it from transferring to people.

West Nile virus symptoms are typically mild, including headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. But in rare cases, West Nile virus can make people extremely ill and even kill them.

“We’re at the peak of mosquito season right now, so we all need to be proactive and take measures to prevent exposure to mosquitoes,” said John-Ross Glueck, interim director of the County’s Environmental Health Division. “In addition to the County’s diligent vector control efforts, people can make a difference at home or work.”